Monday, March 26, 2012
Chapter 7
Before reading this chapter, I thought from the title "Getting It Down: Making and Taking Notes Across the Curriculum" was just going to inform of the basic skills of note taking and ways I can help my children with note taking and making. I didn't know you could ever teach students how to take notes. When I was in middle school and so on, they never taught us "how" we just did it they best way for us with learning/reviewing the material and getting the information down quick enough before the teacher changed slides on the overhead quickly. I want my students to know how to take notes in a way that is best for them, and like the chapter says, help my students be successful in it. Yes, saying that, "be successful in note taking" does sound a little strange but honestly it is true. Some students are so disorganized that things are scattered or not organized or neat on their paper that when it comes time to studying for test or looking back over the notes for projects, they have no clue as to what is on their paper and have to go back and read chapters upon chapters because of not knowing the correct and effective way of note taking. I never knew there was a difference in note taking and making either so this was interesting to read in the chapter too. I loved how the chapter explained and showed in different content areas of strategies for note taking and making. This was really helpful to teach me now of taking better notes, that I can use for certain classes. I really enjoyed reading this chapter because I do believe that students do need to know how to write notes correctly not only for their learning and to help them be successful but it will teach them a sense or responsibility and organizational skills for later in life.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Chapter 3- Vocabulary
Before reading this chapter, I was not too excited about it because in
school I was never too fond of vocabulary or really English for that
matter. When I was in school, the only "strategy" that we used in our
classrooms was to write a definition, put it with a sentence, and study
it for a test at the end of the week. Looking back, this did not help me
at all, maybe I learned some words, but I can't imagine how many more I
could have learned if I had these strategies mentioned in the chapter. I
loved how one of the strategies mentioned in the book was to do a word
wall with your students starting with typically 5 words and doing and interesting "revealing games to help the students in understanding and knowing the vocabulary better. I would have personally loved this if I was younger because that would be better than having 20 words all at once and not knowing what to do or what any of them mean and learning in a fun way while doing it.
Another thing that spiked my interest was when in the chapter of how they explained and talked about how to pull in personal connections for students (own ways of learning). When students are able to come up with their own ways of learning vocabulary words, it will help them in learning themselves new words. We know ourselves and how we learn best, so when we put work into our own words it will and can help students succeed. Most student's might have difficulty in science or with social studies relating to the vocabulary words or really understanding them, but when students are allowed to put certain words like "photosynthesis" or "chemistry" it will make it easier to understand and be able to even help other peers out with it as well. I like
I am really glad that I read this chapter now and I look at vocabulary with more than just a boring perspective since I had such a bad experience with it when I was younger. The only question I have now would be are there any other "games" or activities that teachers could use to involve students in on using vocabulary?
Another thing that spiked my interest was when in the chapter of how they explained and talked about how to pull in personal connections for students (own ways of learning). When students are able to come up with their own ways of learning vocabulary words, it will help them in learning themselves new words. We know ourselves and how we learn best, so when we put work into our own words it will and can help students succeed. Most student's might have difficulty in science or with social studies relating to the vocabulary words or really understanding them, but when students are allowed to put certain words like "photosynthesis" or "chemistry" it will make it easier to understand and be able to even help other peers out with it as well. I like
I am really glad that I read this chapter now and I look at vocabulary with more than just a boring perspective since I had such a bad experience with it when I was younger. The only question I have now would be are there any other "games" or activities that teachers could use to involve students in on using vocabulary?
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Chapter 1 and 8
When reading both of these chapters, the information in them look quite familiar. I noticed that both of these chapters talk about most of what we have already discussed with the previous articles we had to read. Although I don't mind re-reading any information (it's actually better to do that to learn) there was new information that spiked my interests and pulled me into the reading. Yes, I wasn't looking forward to reading the chapters, but after bringing myself to it, I walked away from it learning more.
In chapter 1, I really like how this talked about different structures that we as teachers can use for literacy development. I think everyone has heard of the think-pair-share because in our CIR class last semester, we definitely used this a lot for many activities of learning new strategies and even discussed some lesson plans that have that in them so it was good to know that I had a knowledge of this already. The other thing that I was use to and had seen before was jigsaw. We had to use that (for my first time) last semester also in CIR for learning about literature circles. We each had a part to play or role to tell about certain things in a chapter. The roles vary from leader to illustrator (which I was) and it really helps with understanding the text more because you break it up as a group and have ways to help your peers better understand text in ways they probably wouldn't as a teacher just having a regular classroom discussion. I really liked doing this because I learn better when peers teach or say something so this was really effective for me. There was also more discussion in this chapter about reciprocal teaching which we learned plenty about last semester.I was glad to know that most of the things that I knew were from prior knowledge and although I don't mind learning new material, I was glad that I knew as much as I did.
In chapter 8, like the article we have read previously, talks about knowing or showing students how to write to learn. I really liked in this chapter of how it explains different writing skills that we could use as teachers. I have seen some of these before but I really like of how it went into detail of each skill and what a teacher can do with students and the skill. The next thing that really stood out to me when reading were using writing prompts. There were different things such as: admit slips, awards, crystal ball, etc. I think these were really unique and great ideas for a classroom to use. When I was in middle and high school, my teachers would have bell work for us to do when we came in and although that was great learning and helped us, we were doing grammatical errors rather than writing and putting our interests with it so I would most likely pull this idea(s) into my classroom. I also liked how this chapter also broke down each subject area in which writing is being learned and how to use it in those subject areas and in extracurricular activities too. In most classes like math or what not we usually don't think about integrating writing with math but really having the students write out how they came to the solution they did and explain the reasoning does help the student learn more.
These chapters were very useful and I actually enjoyed reading them and finding out what I know and learning new material. I will honestly say that I will hold to my word and use these strategies and structures in my classroom because they are effective and can help students with literacy development.
In chapter 1, I really like how this talked about different structures that we as teachers can use for literacy development. I think everyone has heard of the think-pair-share because in our CIR class last semester, we definitely used this a lot for many activities of learning new strategies and even discussed some lesson plans that have that in them so it was good to know that I had a knowledge of this already. The other thing that I was use to and had seen before was jigsaw. We had to use that (for my first time) last semester also in CIR for learning about literature circles. We each had a part to play or role to tell about certain things in a chapter. The roles vary from leader to illustrator (which I was) and it really helps with understanding the text more because you break it up as a group and have ways to help your peers better understand text in ways they probably wouldn't as a teacher just having a regular classroom discussion. I really liked doing this because I learn better when peers teach or say something so this was really effective for me. There was also more discussion in this chapter about reciprocal teaching which we learned plenty about last semester.I was glad to know that most of the things that I knew were from prior knowledge and although I don't mind learning new material, I was glad that I knew as much as I did.
In chapter 8, like the article we have read previously, talks about knowing or showing students how to write to learn. I really liked in this chapter of how it explains different writing skills that we could use as teachers. I have seen some of these before but I really like of how it went into detail of each skill and what a teacher can do with students and the skill. The next thing that really stood out to me when reading were using writing prompts. There were different things such as: admit slips, awards, crystal ball, etc. I think these were really unique and great ideas for a classroom to use. When I was in middle and high school, my teachers would have bell work for us to do when we came in and although that was great learning and helped us, we were doing grammatical errors rather than writing and putting our interests with it so I would most likely pull this idea(s) into my classroom. I also liked how this chapter also broke down each subject area in which writing is being learned and how to use it in those subject areas and in extracurricular activities too. In most classes like math or what not we usually don't think about integrating writing with math but really having the students write out how they came to the solution they did and explain the reasoning does help the student learn more.
These chapters were very useful and I actually enjoyed reading them and finding out what I know and learning new material. I will honestly say that I will hold to my word and use these strategies and structures in my classroom because they are effective and can help students with literacy development.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Content Area Literacy in Elementary Classrooms Respons
While reading this article, I became more aware of using expository texts while teaching as well as helping the students in improving literacy skills and being able to read. The main points in this article that I believe are important would be the two subheadings: Making the case for content area literacy and help students become strategic readers and writers of informational texts. I believe this because under the first subheading, there are numbered headings that break down the information about informational text with students at school and how early exposure to it can change or make things worse/better in the long run. It also talks about motivating children, because when children read something they want to know about from real world things, it motivates them to know more about. They also talk about how it increases new knowledge domains which means it will develop their vocabulary and comprehension and reading fluency. The other subheading talks about different ways of reading informational texts and working with students on them how it can improve their reading with informational texts and their writing skills as well. This was two headings were really helpful to me and important because I think as a future teacher, I need to know about the ways that I can help my students and get them involved with informational texts while helping them with improving literacy in other content areas. I know for some students it is hard to be "motivated" or wanting to read informational texts, but with this article, learning the different ways to help the students with informational texts is really helpful. I guess the question that I might still have would be are there different learning strategies or ways for a student with learning disabilities with informational texts. The barriers that I might have as a future teacher would probably be the ways for my students to really interact and want to read the informational texts. I know it's a learning process with whatever content area it is, so with different ways of learning and integrating literacy in the classroom I think it will make it better.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Article and Peer Response
The two people that I chose to learn more about were Nicki Ross and Laura Welter. Although we have been in the same block with each other for the past couple of semesters, it is sad to say that I have not reached out of my personal circle of friends in order to make new friends during this time. When reading their blogs I noticed that like myself, Laura has also been raised around a family of teachers and that is what pursued her into the career path she has chosen now. Nicki and I share the same interests in Elementary Education in the fact that we love children as well as that we both want to see a change in the children's lives and be able to lead them down that correct path.
In the article that was assigned for us to read, it discusses and tells about the many ways of writing to learn. Whether that be the many different strategies/ ways used in teaching or activities to help the student understand content better while increasing academically with writing (and reading). There are many points and keys in this article that are important because it will help me as a future teacher to know how to bring writing into the learning process in other academic areas instead of just Language Arts. I think the most important part of the article is where it breaks down and talks about incorporating writing to learn in instructional time. When teachers (including myself) see the many ways and activities we can use to pull in our students with reading and writing in other subject areas it will help not only teachers with knowing how to help students with literacy but make it easier for students as well. Some of the activities that students can do to help with learning doesn't seem like "writing" at times, but it is and it will help students develop in that subject or area. What stood out the most to me were the many ways to incorporate writing. I did not know that when you are doing other subject areas, such as social studies and science, that you could use writing to not only help your students learn but also to help improve writing skills and literacy with the students. I also loved doing the biopoems that we did in class today because it shows how we can incorporate social studies into an English lesson. I loved the interaction between the students as well because it will help the students with being able to come up or answer and understand the content. I only have a 3 questions. 1) Can you use math with this writing to learn? I know that math deals with mainly problems and equations but I was wondering if it was different or anyone possible it was used in mathematics. 2) Do teachers have to make different writing assignments for different learners? 3) With the framed paragraphs, I was confused by that, I did not quite understand what that was saying. The only problems that I would think of encountering would be the different types of learners with writing, which strategy would be most effective when using with certain subject areas, and how to use certain strategies with certain literacy problems.
In the article that was assigned for us to read, it discusses and tells about the many ways of writing to learn. Whether that be the many different strategies/ ways used in teaching or activities to help the student understand content better while increasing academically with writing (and reading). There are many points and keys in this article that are important because it will help me as a future teacher to know how to bring writing into the learning process in other academic areas instead of just Language Arts. I think the most important part of the article is where it breaks down and talks about incorporating writing to learn in instructional time. When teachers (including myself) see the many ways and activities we can use to pull in our students with reading and writing in other subject areas it will help not only teachers with knowing how to help students with literacy but make it easier for students as well. Some of the activities that students can do to help with learning doesn't seem like "writing" at times, but it is and it will help students develop in that subject or area. What stood out the most to me were the many ways to incorporate writing. I did not know that when you are doing other subject areas, such as social studies and science, that you could use writing to not only help your students learn but also to help improve writing skills and literacy with the students. I also loved doing the biopoems that we did in class today because it shows how we can incorporate social studies into an English lesson. I loved the interaction between the students as well because it will help the students with being able to come up or answer and understand the content. I only have a 3 questions. 1) Can you use math with this writing to learn? I know that math deals with mainly problems and equations but I was wondering if it was different or anyone possible it was used in mathematics. 2) Do teachers have to make different writing assignments for different learners? 3) With the framed paragraphs, I was confused by that, I did not quite understand what that was saying. The only problems that I would think of encountering would be the different types of learners with writing, which strategy would be most effective when using with certain subject areas, and how to use certain strategies with certain literacy problems.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Syllabus Response
The two things that most stood out to me during my reading of the syllabus were the rubrics for every assignment and how to do each assignment correctly. Most teachers give you assignments without telling you how to do it correctly or what they want until you get your paper back and see you were completely wrong so I really like that it is laid out for us in the syllabus. I think this course is about understanding literacy in schools and as a teacher for other students so that we can help with literacy in our schools and classrooms becoming teachers. I hope to learn more about how to help with literacy in my classroom as a future teacher to help me students in learning. I am looking forward to blogging because we get to express and really tell our side of everything being taught and I think I will enjoy getting to interact and know more about the other students in Philadelphia with their feel and take on things as well with what we are learning. As of right now, I have no questions or concerns, but I am sure that going more into the semester there will be a few that arise. I can't wait for a great semester!
This is me
My name is Emily Turner and I am going to USM to earn a degree in Elementary Education. What brought me to want to be a teacher are many things. First, everyone in my family is basically a teacher so it came naturally to me that I would want to do that as well. That is not the only reason, but I would love to play teacher when I was little and I would always love doing it. Second, I absolutely love children. I as a future teacher, want the best for any child/student that comes into my classroom. I also want a classroom where my students know that we are a family and they can come to be and be comfortable in our classroom to know that everything is okay. I also want to be a motivator to my students because most of the time students hear they are not good enough or will never amount to anything, I as a teacher want to show them that is not true. Although being a teacher can be fun at times, I am scared too. I want to "ideally" teach around 4th or 5th graders, but I will love and be used wherever I go. I am "scared" about some content areas that are typically not something I am really into. For instance, science. I grew up not liking science more than likely because every science class I was in was more note taking and then a test, there were no experiments or fun things involved in learning with science so that left me with not really liking science as much. One content area I absolutely love is math. I know that the teachers who taught me had something to do with it because they would help me with any problem I had but I also love to figure out problems that challenge me and motivate me as a person. I feel so much better about myself when I finally have that light bulb feeling going off in my head and I actually understand the problem. I know I can help my students with any content area, but I want to pull in more things to help them instead of just taking notes or what not. Some students learn better with hands-on activities or problems so this will definitely help me as a teacher.
Now that I have told about the reason of teaching, let me tell about myself. I live in Petal, MS and I am the daughter of Ronnie and Sherri Turner. I have two other sisters, one older and one younger (so I am the middle child). My older sister is Kelli who is 24 years old and will soon be going back to college in Culinary. My younger sister is Jessica who is 19 years old and goes to USM as well but she has no idea what she wants to do yet. I am 21 years old and I am learning to love myself (not in a prideful way). I work at a daycare center in Oak Grove and I absolutely love it because everyday I have a funny story to tell my family of the amazing children I am around. I am very involved in my church and I love God with all of my heart. I have the most amazing christian based friends, which are basically like family to me, that are always here for me and help me through things in life. I love to play the piano and write songs when I have time. I guess you could say that is my "quiet time" or alone time. My family and I have 2 dogs and 1 cat. No, they do not get along, so it is interesting at the house sometimes. When I have time to read, I like to read books that have a purpose or reason behind them. I love Crazy Love, Radical, and Capitvating. They are really great and I suggest them to anyone. My favorite movies would have to be Bridesmaids, Courageous, Fireproof, and a few more. I mainly/only listen to Christian music but my favorite artist are Casting Crowns. They are absolutely amazing and I can't stop listening to their new album. I love being around a fire with a bunch of friends and just simply hanging out and being able to laugh and enjoy life. My favorite bible verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17 partially because I do have a tattoo of it on my ankle. I am blessed to have the life that I do and this is who I am.
Now that I have told about the reason of teaching, let me tell about myself. I live in Petal, MS and I am the daughter of Ronnie and Sherri Turner. I have two other sisters, one older and one younger (so I am the middle child). My older sister is Kelli who is 24 years old and will soon be going back to college in Culinary. My younger sister is Jessica who is 19 years old and goes to USM as well but she has no idea what she wants to do yet. I am 21 years old and I am learning to love myself (not in a prideful way). I work at a daycare center in Oak Grove and I absolutely love it because everyday I have a funny story to tell my family of the amazing children I am around. I am very involved in my church and I love God with all of my heart. I have the most amazing christian based friends, which are basically like family to me, that are always here for me and help me through things in life. I love to play the piano and write songs when I have time. I guess you could say that is my "quiet time" or alone time. My family and I have 2 dogs and 1 cat. No, they do not get along, so it is interesting at the house sometimes. When I have time to read, I like to read books that have a purpose or reason behind them. I love Crazy Love, Radical, and Capitvating. They are really great and I suggest them to anyone. My favorite movies would have to be Bridesmaids, Courageous, Fireproof, and a few more. I mainly/only listen to Christian music but my favorite artist are Casting Crowns. They are absolutely amazing and I can't stop listening to their new album. I love being around a fire with a bunch of friends and just simply hanging out and being able to laugh and enjoy life. My favorite bible verse is 2 Corinthians 5:17 partially because I do have a tattoo of it on my ankle. I am blessed to have the life that I do and this is who I am.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)