Wow! We did it!

It's hard to believe the semester is over. We worked hard and I think we did an awesome job. It was great working with you Barbara and Sheila for the short time we had you in the class. Dr. Rivera, you put us to the test, but we learned a lot. Barb, you did a great job on your portfolio and thanks for all the help and patience on our projects together. Now, I'm going to find me a good novel and crawl inside like that worm and get lost. I've been reading text books for so long, I haven't had the time. I want to read something that entertains me and I don't have to remember anything about it if I don't want to. So have a great summer and relax and get ready to come back in the fall! Take care.......Crystal

staff development ideas

It was surprising to learn from Crystal that many teachers are not familiar with the use of computers. I think her staff development idea is great and a real need. We have continuous training at my school. I think Crystal, once you start, you will be asked to do follow up sessions. -- Barb

Free Stuff!

Barbara, you always give us great information and cool stuff we can do for free. Your staff development is something anyone could benefit from. This semester is almost over. It actually went by pretty quickly. Thanks for all the positive comments. We are all just such great people! Have a great weekend.

Doesn't this classroom look busy?

When I was reading chapter 13 about the Social Constructivist Model, this is like the image I got of what the classroom would be like. Lots of different things going on at one time. It reminded me of teaching using the Multiple Intellegence theory. I think it would be hard to keep up with everyone, but it would be the ideal way to teach and learn. Teaching diverse students is a challenge and takes a lot of "learning" on the teacher's part also.
This model lets students rely on their own schema in choosing reading materials. I like this, because if you are reading something that you can relate to, you will enjoy it so much more. I agree with what the book says that students cannot be held accountable for knowledge that has never been made available to them.
Our activity was fun and I have such characters in my class, they would really have a great time with this. This is a great activity for this time of the school year in my class, because my students are reading!

Military scoping meeting

I suggest that the Ed grad students submit testimony to the scoping meetings regarding education. We should oppose exclusive funding of DODEA schools and establishment of more DODEA schools because it promotes segregation and fosters ethnocentrism.

Barbara

Ch13 -use in grant narrative

Reading Chapter 13 gives me more interest in doing the diversity teacher's toolkit for our grant application. We can use the information in Chapter 13 in our narrative.

Barbara

TEAM WORK

In my perspective, I always believed that team work leads to new perspectives and new found ideas. Professional Development workshops should be based on needs and ways to approach these needs; therefore, presenting team work. I really enjoyed the Educator's Academy at George Washington High School. I really learned new ideas and ways to 'spice up' my class. For the first time, I walked away with new ideas and actually applied them. This type of professional development is what we could use more often, even a smaller version of it for each school.

Have a great week!
Sheila

Grant idea

Going from Crystal's post about Kosrae, I got to thinking that we might come up with a teacher training about Micronesia. Maybe start with a survey on what teacher's know. The objective would be to provide resources for the teachers to incorporate information about Micronesia into their lessons. What do you think? I don't know if this is being done now. Maybe it is.

Barbara

http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/cia07/micronesia_sm_2007.gif

Well, I wanted to change the picture but I couldn't find "edit" anywhere. Is there such a thing for our blog? Anyway, class was very lively this afternoon. We sure can talk a lot. But everything was informative and interesting. The presentations were great. When I listen to the two of you, Barbara and Sheila, you sound so professional. You really know your stuff. Sheila, you are going to go far in your career and Barbara, you already have and you're still going. Wow! And look at you Dr. Rivera; so young and a PHD under your belt. I take my hat off to all of you. All of you have qualities that I would love to have. Don't get me wrong, I'm not putting myself down. I'm just complimenting!

After we did the Micronesian Hunt, I thought I've lived in Guam for 40 years and I don't know that much about the outer islands. So I went searching and found the "Sleeping Lady". Here's a short version of the legend:

The locals believe that in ancient times, the Gods became angry with Kosrae and laid her on her back where she became an island. The view from the causeway makes it easy to see why Kosrae was called the "Land of the Sleeping Lady" and from the top of Mount Finkol, all from Lelu Harbour you can still see her head, hair, stomach and breasts outlined against the sky as per picture .

Have a Great Weekend and see you tomorrow Sheila!

Brain Stretchers

The brain stretcher strategy that I will most likely use right away is the self concept activity. At the beginning of a class session, we usually have the students write something about themselves in an index card. The self concept activity would be a nice change. It would actually give the students more challenge and stretch their brains. One thing we do with the index cards is return them to the students at a later time in the session for them to self-edit.

I appreciate the camaraderie in the ED646 class. I am comfortable with my classmates and my professor.

Barbara

Nobody asked me.

I'm sorry that Sheila didn't get to come to class today to present, but after reading chapter 7, I wanted to ask my principal why no one asked me what I thought of DI before it was adopted. I was wondering how much say she had in theselection of the program. But that's the part of the chapter that really got my attention; how every aspect of the selection process included input from the teachers, because they are the ones that will use the program. It was interesting too, how technology was not really that important. Research shows how important it is to students, especially in this day and age. But, that is the attitude of my principal. We have a committee that wrote a grant for a computer lab for the teachers. I told my principal that the grant should have been for the students. Our students are so far behind the world in technology. It is so sad. Maybe when DI is finished, administrators will think differently.

Changing the subject, writing my mid-term self-reflection , I thought, Wow! We are half way there. It went by really fast. That's good in a way, but when you think of it in terms of your life, I for one would like for it to slow down just a little. It means, we're getting older faster! Who needs that?

I enjoyed the activities we did from Dr. Rivera's Educator's Academy presentation. I need to work on my spelling! Working with 5 and 6 year olds all day, is starting to show. My brain power is becoming sluggish.

Have a great weekend!

Adolescent Literacy Programs

As it goes with driving, and anything else in the life, everything around us is changing. So, literacy and learning are bound to be obvious that it also is changing. Technology is something that is never going to leave us, like cars in a sense that we'll always need it. So as Vacca and McKeon (2002) indicate, curricular decisions must incorporate the learning needs that are faced in the 21st century. In relation to Chapter 4, Guiding Change in a Time of Standards, the first guideline Au mentioned was for curriculum to 'become informed about current thinking.' What worked in the past may not work for our students today. Also, teachers are the ones who see the needs arise first hand; therefore, should be involved in creating what or how students should be guided to become educated and competent adults.

Advocating for reading specialist

This activity makes me feel like I'm back in college as a radical student. I wonder how GPSS will react to us. Especially since we're representing IRA. Doesn't that sound radical already?

I want to know what previous students did. What did GPSS do with the recommendations. Who read them? Maybe we need to go to the Legislature since we are advocating for new positions.

-- Barbara

It's all about Reading!

Thank you for all of your positive feedback on my presentation and yes I know I'm not very good at making eye contact. I think if you were five years old I'd be much better at it. After reading this chapter and doing my power point, I really do see the need to do more for our adolescent readers. If they don't get hooked by middle school, there isn't much hope of them enjoying reading just for the pure pleasure of it. I don't think I could survive if I didn't have a good book handy to relieve my stress or just to read because the story is so good. What's more fun than reading something you just can't put down?! At least at my age, that's how I feel.

As far as Activity 11, I feel more sure of what is expected and where to get the information. I do know a few teachers who were around during the time of the reading specialists. They call themselves the "Dinosaurs". I was a school aide at that time and I do remember our reading specialist. Her name was Elizabeth Hamilton. I don't know what happened to her. Maybe I could find out.

Have a great Weekend!

New Expectations

Basically, early childhood literacy heads to prepare young children before they enter elementary school. It is an intervention to decrease the need for intervention when the child attends elementary school. My son, my first child, profited greatly by attending preschool/daycare. His teacher attended courses in order to guide and lead him to meet Head Start Standards. He could sing the alphabets, count far, distinguish colors, write his name, and more.

Gald, Cullinan, and Strickland (1997) indicated that literacy learning begins early on, beginning at home. They also stated that children are not concerned about learning literacy. Instead, the children are more concerned about interacting and learning with others. As I recall, my son was always engaged in activities in his preschool/daycare. His stories were always about who did what and what he found out with his friends. According to Halliday (1987), the process of making meaning is a shared process.

Sharing the 'Picture Reflection' activity and learning something new about you all was a great experience, by the way. I learned that Crystal is mindful of the environment. I learned that Barbara is very passionate with God and her spiritual beliefs, which I strongly am as well. Out of curiosity and a quest to know you better, what did you see and think of when you first saw this picture activity? I'm looking forward to your response. Have a great weekend!

Regards,

Sheila S. Indalecio

Great Class!

I'm very glad to learn that pre-kindergarten education is still an important issue with researchers, politicians and educators. Being a kindergarten teacher myself, I am very concerned when I observe a new student that has no background in Head Start or some other pre-K program, not because I don't want to take the time to teach, but because of what's expected from the student through the curriculum. Kindergarten is not what it used to be!

The activity we did "Picture Reflection" was a great way to delve into a persons beliefs and personality. I think it would be a great way for teachers to get to know their students and for administrators to know their teachers.

See you all next week and enjoy your weekend.

Chapter 3 reflection

Parent responsibility in children's literacy has changed and society is not adapting fast enough. The nuclear family of the 21st century is no longer father and mother and child. Over 50% of the families nowadays are single parent families. There are also many more younger individuals having children who have not prepared to be a parent. This paradigm shift gives educators and educational institutions more responsibility for literacy development of children coming into school. Parents are relying more on education professionals. It is probably time for education professionals to accept the reality of family changes and take on more responsibility for literacy development of today's children. -- Barbara

A Great Experience!

I have always agreed the moment I heard this saying, "Life's best teacher is experience." Standing up to the plate and hitting a home run is always possible with a team spirit. Thank you Crystal for that flattery; however, I think you did an awesome job sharing your perspectives of our wonderful program just as much. I couldn't have shared all that thought and knowledge without the team spirit standing to my left and the team guidance smiling and encouraging to my right. Our program does in fact give us the opportunity to broaden our horizons and allows us the confidence to head for our goals. We all know, our program and the School of Education head to transform us into 'Knowledgeable Scholars, Effective Communicators, and Reflective Decision Makers.' From that great experience, I could say that transformation is in great progress. Take a breathe, enjoy your weekend, and let's move on to our NEXT goal!

Regards,
Sheila Indalecio

Eureka, I made it!

After several tries through my regular email, I made it through by using my yahoo address. I think the problem was that I had active accounts that I updated and moved to the new blogger before the spring semester started. Anyway, I'm here now. -- Barb

Now I need to see how I can change my name from Reading Workshop to Barbara. :)

January 31/Language and Literacy Poster Jamboree!

That was different. I was a little nervous that I would say something wrong and make the Program look bad, but Sheila took care of us. Great Job! And we got positive feedback from the first man (forgot his name) and from Jane. It was a little crowded for me and I was glad to get outside, but it was a good turn out.

Thanks for the handouts about the interviews and for showing us the examples from other students. I have a better idea of what to ask now. My reading coordinator is going to let me shadow him sometime next week and I got the go ahead to sit in on the weekly meeting with the reading coaches.

Everyone have a great weekend and watch out for that groundhog!

Thanks for setting me straight!

I kept trying to post for Activity 12 and I knew the screen didn't look the same as last semester. I told myself I would figure it out tonight and there was your email to the rescue. So I will try and get this discussion going.

Schema, is one of the most important words I believe I've learned throughout all of my classes. It has taught me that the best way to get a student interested in a book, is to make sure they can relate to it in some way. Teachers should use their knowledge of the community and their students and provide books and reading materials that connect closely to the student's life experiences, not theirs or the schools (Short, Harste & Burke, p. 170).

Sometimes we think our students are having a hard time answering questions because they are not comprehending the material. Maybe we are just asking the wrong question for the student to understand and connect. All students come to school with many literacy experiences; fast food signs, toothpaste boxes, road signs, cereal boxes (Harste, Woodward & Burke, 1984). Their literacy experiences at school need to build from their knowledge of environmental print.

So, fill your room with books, read to your students, observe which books they select and listen to their responses and always remember "schema". It's where you start.

There's a difference

Hello Dr. Rivera, Barbara, & Crystal. I just learned and figured out the difference between 'comment' and 'post'. For sharing purposes, 'comments' follow under each 'post' title or topic. Hope you all learn the difference as well. Have a great week.

Regards,
Sheila Indalecio