MIras!

1.  What did I learn?

Today I learned the value of making something old new again.  I learned that a new teacher should not expect herself to have the all the wisdom of a seasoned teacher, and that she should focus on improving her instruction by 10% each year - keeping herself sane, while fixing the world 10% at a time! 

I learned why we should have kids take a close look at graphs, etc. when we have them make their own. Funny how we thought our graph was "finished" and that the information was on the poster was "perfectly clear"... It was because we had researched all the data and we knew what our poster was representing, but didn't necessarily come across that way to those who had not seen the research.  We need to make sure our students understand that piece of the puzzle.

I learned how much I enjoy playing with miras - what closet where they in when I was in school?  Pencil and paper was all I had....

I learned how to put math symbols into a Word document on a PC.  How cool is that?  I have been Googling the symbols I needed and copying and pasting them into the document!

2.  What do I have questions about?

Where are the math symbols located on my mac? 

3.  What are the implications for classroom practice?

Regarding the graphs, etc. our students will have a more solid foundation processing data and problem solving when they are taught how to look at data from the perspective of someone who needs to understand the graph, without having seen the data.  

Connecting assignments/activities to things that matter to the students gets them interested in solving the problem and keeps them engaged in the activity as well.  

Literacy Blog # 3

     We have so much to learn, and so little time!  I feel like one my biggest struggles may be pacing myself, and pacing my teaching.  When I was doing a read aloud with a kindergarten class a few days ago I found myself wanting to make sure the students knew all of the things we check for on the Emergent Literacy Profile.  This was not the objective of my lesson, so I had to force myself to refrain from teaching it.  One step at a time, right?  And as Routman teaches, whole-to-part-to-whole is the best way to go....

     I was pleasantly surprised with the content in Routman's Writing Essentials.  I do not think of myself as a great writer.  I am happy to hear that so many others in my position have been able work through this dilemma and were able to inspire their students to be confident writers.  My master teacher let me have a copy of the questions she asks her students during their writer's workshop conferences.  I will be using those questions, and the concepts I have been reading about in Writing Essentials to guide my own writing.
  
      I love the idea of celebrating student's writing as a major teaching goal.  I feel that celebrating student's work bolsters their self confidence and spurs them on to do more, learn more, create more.  I also love the idea of celebrating small pieces of the process, not just the finished work.  Celebrating a piece, such as risk taking, shows students that we value the work they are doing, the fact they are pushing themselves to try new things, and teaches them that they are growing throughout the process. I believe this is how we help children to gain the confidence that allows them to push for more.

     I firmly believe what Routman says about teaching skills in isolation - it "does not make students writers" (pg. 21).  I know that I learn much more when I can connect what I am learning to something I already know, and better yet, to something I care about.  Making writing meaningful is where it's at!

     Working with kids over the years I have learned how much they enjoy stories.  Even simple silly stories. like the time when the power went out at the grocery store when only half my groceries had been checked out.  Hearing your stories allows students to feel connected to you in a personal way.  I know from my own experience, as a young student and as an adult, that when I feel connected to a teacher I am much more apt to do my best work for that teacher, and to push myself too.  Community building has so many benefits!

     I am pleased to know that I will not be expected to be a prolific writer the day my teaching career begins.  However, I am looking forward to practicing and gaining confidence in my writing now, and as I work with my students in the future.  I plan on practicing what I teach.