Self Reflection

   Today we had to turn in our midterm self-reflection, which was not an easy task. It took quite a while for me to write because assessing myself was something I don’t do every day. It really helped me understand where I need to improve in this class. I have learned a lot since day one and it has been a great experience. From learning the different approaches and aspects of reading, it has given me a better understanding of what students need to become proficient readers. I want to be able to teach reading to students in way they can understand the material, and also make it fun at the same time. We’re half way through the semester and it feels like everything is happening so fast. I’m excited to learn more on the different approaches and tools used for reading and I can’t wait for all the great ideas! Hope everyone has a great Easter break!

Reflecting

   Today's assignment was to produce a midterm reflection of ourselves in this course based on the guidelines Dr. Rivera has provided us. Before writing my reflection I thought it was going to be an "easy squeezy" assignment to do...boy, was I wrong! I found it quite difficult to self reflect, only because I do not do every so often. After 10 minutes of staring at my computer screen I started, then it became easier and easier as I went. Once I completed my reflection, I felt so refreshed seeing my thought and feelings in text rather than just cooped up inside my noggin. I am really glad that we were able to do an assignment like this.

My Midterm Reflection

     Looking back on the first day of reading methods, I remember I was scared and nervous. The course requirements were overwhelming for me and I thought to myself, “How am I going to keep up with all these assignments?” But as the days went by, I was able to keep up with all the requirements for class, such as attendance, participation, and assignments.
      This course has made me grow into a better student and person; because I am able to take the knowledge (i.e. basic theories and different approaches in teaching reading to children) that I have learned and apply it one day in my classroom. I will continue to do my best to keep up with all of the assignments, participation, and attendance. I look forward to what the rest of the semester has to offer and cannot wait to learn more about teaching reading to children.

Wow it felt like yesterday...

   I don't believe we are already writing our mid-term papers. Time goes by so fast and I can not imagine how much quicker the end of the semester will come after I turn in this blog. I am happy about all the new things we have been learning and excited for more to come. But as I mentioned in my reflection there are some things I still need to work on before the end of the semester. I am happy I was able to think about how it has been so far. Sometimes you don't stop and think when you are so busy going.
   This class has been a great experience but I do hope everyone else is having a great time too. Besides practicum I feel very confident in our class and how much we will all miss it when we are done. I am ready to finish my practicum but it still take some time. Great work everyone keep it up!

Midterm Self Reflection

Hello everyone! As you are all aware, our mid-term self reflection is due today. For me, it is much more difficult to reflect on oneself than on other topics. It took me quite a long time to complete my reflection because I really wanted to focus on aspects of myself that I thought helped me throughout the course. I also talked about what I have learned so far and what I liked best about the course. Reflection is important for teachers because it allows us to step back and assess our own attitudes, behavior, actions, and feelings. Doing this will help us realize what is not working, what is successful, and how we can improve. I am thankful that we have the opportunity to reflect on our performance in this course. For sure, it will help us complete the semester with satisfaction and pride. Have a great Spring Break everyone!

Self Reflection

Hello everyone,

          Before I begin, let me forewarn you that I'm in a pondering mood right now. With that said let me begin by reflecting on the midterm. As all of you know, it was not your typical question and answer exam, but instead a reflection.

          I sincerely appreciated this reflection. I really needed to sit down, and think about this. Believe me when I say I did, because I really did. First thing that popped into my head, was wow its already mid semester. It feels like it came out of nowhere. As I was thinking about my professional attitude, disposition, behavior, commitment, and enthusiasm in my attendance, submission of work, competency and willingness. The one thing that really resonates with me was the question on competency. I think I got so deep into the reflection that I was not only thinking about my competency in the course, I was thinking about my competency in education, generally, whether it be the role as a student or as a teacher. Here's what I think. I AM NOT COMPETENT AND I WILL NEVER BE COMPETENT. And I don't say this in negative way. Personally, I think that there is always room for improvement. For this blog's sake I even looked up the definition of competent.

snapshot from my screen

          So yes I am capable, I can do what is asked of me in the class and as a student and teacher, but successfully...I'm not so sure. Let me rephrase that, I'm doing enough to get by, but I can be doing better. It doesn't matter if my work looks pretty, or if every standard is met or surpassed. When I think of success...I think to the best of my ability. And that's where the flaw lies. I don't think we ever reach that point, because it goes back to there's always room for improvement. It's like an never ending circle.  I hope I'm making sense to you all, because its clicking in my head. Now the only question on my mind is how can we be doing something successfully, if we never reach our full potential?

Awesome Presentations

      The teaching tools that were presented today in class were very creative. Amanda's teaching aid, which was a reader's block was very interesting. It was made up of foam and had questions on each side of the block. Her teaching aid is very creative, because the students can answer and make their questions on the block. Kelsey had two teaching aids that I really enjoyed. Her first teaching aid was a decoding tool for word families. I liked how she used paint strips from Home Depot, because that was a clever idea. Kelsey's second teaching tool was a tracking device and I thought that was a creative tool. It was made up of highlighter tape and I thought that was a clever idea. The tracking device can be use for students to track their reading and do not need to use their finger. Evin's teaching tool, which was a bingo game is a good activity for students. Incorporating bingo is a good activity that can engage students in learning vocabulary words. After seeing everyone's teaching aid, I look forward in using them as reference in the near future. 

      After our teaching aid presentations, Rachel reflected on her micro-teaching and did a little activity in class. She briefly explained that she taught her class figurative language: simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole. I liked how she made us do a little activity using figurative language. Even though Rachel presented a little part of a lesson, she did an excellent job.