Changes

I would just like to start out by saying that I really enjoyed taking this class. It was by far my favorite class this semester. I have learned a lot of information that I feel I will use in the future. I have benefited very much from learning about the reading and writing process. Although, I have learned them before it was a great chance to refresh. I thought that doing the mini lesson was good practice. I also feel that my work in the classroom was very beneficial. I was lucky enough to reflect and observe many of things that we learned in class. My favorite part of this class was the "Chalk talk" I had never heard of it before and thought it was a great activity that could be modified for all ages. I not only liked the "chalk talk" because it was a creative new activity but, I really enjoyed the conversations we had and it really opened my eyes to things. Not only the things other peers said but even the things that I said were new to me. I really enjoyed publishing a book. I enjoyed it so much that even when my whole project got deleted, I do not get upset, I just redid it.

Favorite Poems in the Classroom!

When asked to tell about a favorite poem and how you can incorporate it into the classroom, my mind drew a blank. So I went to the internet to look at poems for children. There are so many different poems on the web for children. The most exciting and interesting poem I found was:

My Chicken's On the Internet

My chicken's on the Internet.

She surfs the web all day.

I've tried to stop her browsing

but, so far, there's just no way.

She jumps up on the mouse

and then she flaps around like mad

to click on every hyperlink

and every pop-up ad.

She plays all sorts of chicken games.

She messages her folks.

She watches chicken videos

and forwards chicken jokes.

She writes a blog for chickens

and she uploads chicken pics.

She visits chicken chat rooms

where she clucks about her chicks.

I wou;dn't mind so much

except my keyboard's now a wreck.

She hasn't learned to type yet;

she can only hunt and peck.

--Kenn Nesbitt

http://www.poetry4kids.com/poem-473.html

I think this poem could be a great way to introduce the internet and all you can do on the web through poetry. It can also give students a chance to create their own poetry about anything they choose.

"Chalk Talk"

I thought the "Chalk talk" was a great learning experience. I found it to be fun, engaging, and challenging. I think that the chalk talk is something that I will use in my future classroom. However, I will make modifications for the younger children. I also think that you could use a "chalk talk" in a adult group as well. I think the most important thing I realized from doing the chalk talk was that not everyone can talk but everyone can communicate. I think that talk is a form of communication. However, some people may not be able to speak but they can write, listen, sign, etc. I think that this activity has pros and cons. I think that some of the positives of this activity are allowing shy children to write their thoughts, allowing people to use a different form to communicate, and freedom of expression. I think that some negatives may include, not knowing someones tone, time, and confusion. Although I found it to be a challenge, because at some points I wanted to just speak, I feel that it would not be a challenge after a few times and that it would not be a challenge for those who cannot speak. I think that many Americans take talking for granted. In conclusion I think that this would be a great accommodation that a teacher could make in the classroom.

P.S. Freedom Writer's is one of the BEST movies.. if you have not see it, RENT IT TODAY!

Peer Conferencing

During the last week of class we did a few peer conferencing. I found this to be a very helpful way to get feed back from others about my work. I think that conferencing with peers could also be very helpful in the classroom. However, I do feel that there are some pros and cons to conferencing. First, students may feel overwhelmed with peers looking at their work. They may even feel a little self conscious of their work. However, they may learn things from their peers. Students may also find other small mistakes easily from the practice. It is important for students to be able to receive and give criticism. I think peer conferencing is a good way for students to become involved in each others work and can help then with reading, writing, and social skills as well as improving their work.

Book's in the classroom!

I have always enjoyed the book "The very hungery Caterpillar" therefore I took this time to think about that book! I would really like to incorperate this book into a lesson in class at some point. I plan to work in elementary school so I think this book would be very appraopriate. I think this could be used in Language arts or science. The theme of this book is the life of a caterpillar. I really think this book is a simple way to explain a caterpillar turning into a butterfly and also has great illustarations.

Some ideas for activities:
-Creating a butterfly that represents you in someway.
-drawing the cycle of a caterpillar to a butterfly.
- Writing a story of a caterpillar and how it turns into a butterfly.

Even though I love this book, I do think it is used a lot in classrooms already. After thinking about what books I would want to use in the classroom. I think teachers can always be on the look out for materials they can use in the classroom!

To blog or not to blog is the question?

Since this was my first time really participating in a blog, I would have to say that I have enjoyed it. Sometimes it has slipped my mind to blog. However, I think it is a great way to reflect on things we have talked about in class as well as refreshing our memory. I think it gives us the chance to express our opinions on different things as well as reading other students opinions. I also think it is a great way to interact outside of the classroom. Blog is similar to a free write and just allows people to write down whatever they are thinking or would like to write about a given topic. I enjoy reflecting on quotes. When given a quote and asked to blog about it we are given the chance to think further in to the quote and to really evaluate what we think the quote means. I think that blogging is also a good tool for future teachers to use in the classroom. It not only can help children with their writing, spelling, but also allows them to express their personality. It also allows people to reflect, and critically think about topics. I really enjoy blogging. However, I feel that sometimes my thoughts are very scattered and that I do not take enough time to correct grammar. I hope to continue blogging and use it in the classroom. However, I would like to teach younger elementary so I am not sure that it would be age appropriate but, there may be ways to adapt.

Ralph Fletcher

In the video Ralph Fletcher stated "In order to have an affect on someone else, you must first allow him to effect you." When I first heard this quote I did not agree with it. However, after a lot of thinking I can agree with Fletcher.
A teacher has the job of engaging students to learn. In order to engage students she must first research the students interests as well as getting to know the students. I think that in order for a teacher to begin to help a child learn the writing process and enjoy it, he or she must allow them to express themselves. I feel that it helps to affect someone else if they have first effected you. However, I do not feel that it is the only way to affect someone.
In a teaching community it is important to left others have an impact on you. Especially as a new teacher. I feel that my teaching strategies will be affected by others. I believe that this quote leaves us with a lot to think about.