As We Reach a Close

As we reach a close of this semester, its a great time to reflect on things we've discussed and learned. I've learned many different things about content literacy. Though my definition really hasn't changed much, I think I've developed a better understanding for what content literacy is. Throughout this semester, I've learned to adapt strategies and collaborate with other people to make things that will work with the kids that I work with.

Each semester, I am more and more excited to work with my students. All these strategies and ideas for working with them seem great but the problem is, I don't really know if the strategies will work. For me the most exciting thing is getting to start on my own and get more ideas. I'm excited to work with students and find things out through actually working rather than getting idea after idea without trying them.

Thank you for a great semester filled with ideas about content literacy and my ideas on teaching.

~The Teach Fairy

Groupwork and Assessments

As the semester closes, it seems like we have less and less to talk about yet surprisingly we find more. We read a couple chapters in Tovani's book, "Do I Really Have to Teach Reading?" about group work and assessment.

I'm a pretty social person so I've always loved group work. It was fun working with friends and discussing problems. The worst part about it was getting stuck with people who won't get anything done. I feel like as a teacher there can be problems with group work too. Tovani mentions a few strategies for some problems we can run into with group work. The first issue she posed was, "Someone hasn't read the material or completed the task." Tovani suggests to have a little quiet station where students can finish the task before getting back with the group. The next problem we can we can have is that "Someone talks all the type." She suggests that we give this person a task to do, maybe write down the points from the group or give feedback. Of course there could be many problems that could happen with a group but the last one Tovani discusses is when "someone doesn't talk." This can be frustrating for many people but she suggest a couple phrases to include the kids that don't necessarily get a chance to talk or don't prefer to talk. She suggests to directly approach the student and ask if they have something to share. I definitely think these are great ideas for facing group work. Though group work doesn't always run smoothly, these tips can help it run a little better.

The two things I took away from the assessment chapter was how to go about assessments and conversation calendars. Tovani says, "Decide what you want to assess. Give a variety of ways for students to demonstrate understanding." Then, "design assessments that are checkpoints for understanding." This keeps the idea kind of simple but it can be complicated. I can see what my objectives are and then decide what is important. Based on that, I can plan activities that will help my students understand the objectives in a variety of ways, since all students learn differently and at a different pace. Then I would base my assessments on what I wanted them to understand. I feel that if I planned each unit like this, assessments would be effective and test their understanding. 

The other part I liked was Conversation Calendars. I thought it was a really cool tool that helped build rapport with the students. There was a mini calendar. The students could write a question or response each day or tell me something they wanted. They would then grade themselves on behavior and participation that day. Then under their question, I would respond and give them a grade that I thought. I thought this was a cool way to communicate with students and learn about things that are going on in their lives. That way, I could base lessons on their lives and discuss other confusions.

Can't believe the end of the semester is approaching. Let's make it a great couple of weeks. :)

~The Teach Fairy

Different Perspectives

I enjoyed looking at my friends' blogs this week. It gave me different perspectives and new insights that I had not thought of before. Here is what I found.

1) Tri Colour Education 2015

    Quote from this blog: "As educators, we need to allow our students to express themselves freely and feel comfortable in our classroom environment. If they like ponies, so be it."

     My Thoughts: I agree with this statement especially dealing with middle school students. We all know middle school was an awkward time that everyone has to go through. Why should we as teachers tell students what they should and shouldn't like. We don't define the students. Yes, we help mold them into citizens in our society but shouldn't they be entitled to freedom of expression just as we are. Yes I do understand their are rules about these sorts of things but we as teachers should allow are students to feel safe when expressing themselves but in a healthy way.

2) Teacher Tales

    Quote from this blog: "I think that knowing each student well can help us teach content literacy. The more I know a particular student, whether they might be gifted, on the autism spectrum, have a behavioral difference etc, the more I can help them learn! I think this takes time and effort, and much of that time is probably going to be outside of the classroom. But, I would say it's worth it."

     My Thoughts: I definitely think this is the case. From personal experience, my favorite teachers were the ones that cared. These teachers took the time to help me when they knew I was struggling. They would meet with me before school and discuss with me ways that I could improve my study habits or comprehension skills. They not only knew me inside the classroom but would often ask me how my life was. I loved it! 

3) Breaking Literacy

    Quote from this blog: "Teacher voice and how you speak is something else that is very important to the the classroom. To start the class take a deep breath and slow down and lower your volume. When you come into class worrying about getting throughout everything you will talk fast and loud as you push the information at the students. Students will rely when you are relaxed because they are very good at picking up on body language. In my practicum, I came in sick a few times with bronchitis and students immediately came up to me and asked if I felt okay and said I looked tired and sick. This was as they walked into the classroom before I said or did anything. This made me realized just how much they can pick up on. 

     My Thoughts: I had a similar experience. I was having a not so good day and I was very frustrated with a previous student and colleague. I didn't really think I was showing it but a student approached me and asked if I was okay or if something was wrong. I realized at that moment how much my students pay attention to me. That moment is a crucial moment. We as teachers can choose to sulk in our misery or turn it around and make a better day for yourself and for your students.

4) Pin it to Teach it

    Picture from this blog:

    My Thoughts: I loved this picture because I thought it was so cool that the teacher asked her students what they wanted from her. You are with your students so often and finding out what they want from you will allow them to develop a better relationship with you. Also, you can ask yourself what do you think you would want from a teacher. You can then tell your students what you want from them. I like it:)

5) EDunite

    Quote from this blog: "When are we going to use this in real life? This is a response I'm sure every teacher has heard to at least one lesson they have taught, no matter the content area. Math is a high contender for these types of statements because students are always wondering when am I going to use the quadratic formula, the Pythagorean Theorem, or even how much money and I going to need to buy 87 watermelons? And yes, I even ask myself, who in their right mind would buy 87 watermelons?

    My Thoughts: I think we can all agree with this one. I think it's hard for me as a teacher to come up  with a reason why some of this stuff is important. But I think I've made it a goal for myself to approach each lesson with an intent to make the lesson fun and interesting so that my students don't have to ask me that. I want them to enjoy learning so that it doesn't feel like a chore.

~loving this warm breezy weather <3

  The Teach Fairy