Wine&Movie

As the semester gets closer to the end, I can't help but yell my lungs out and pull my hair! This spring has been hectic having to focus on essays, lesson plans, text sets, and family math night. Professors for some reason decide to wait for the last minute to have big projects due. Finals are in three weeks, giving me not enough time to finish what is due for all my classes. My 21st bday was the 12th of April and i didnt even get to celebrate it the way a fresh 21 year old would. Besides that, I've been extemely overwhemeld with school yet i find it relaxing to keep my mind off of it by having a glass a wine while watching a comedy.

How wonderful would it be to lay out at the beach as the woman in the picture. The weather looks just like our Corpus Christi weather. Instead, I'm here in class hoping the professor will cut class short. Ive been wanting to get a tan for the past couple of weeks however, the weather hasnt been wonderful. During SB rain decided to pay a visit and ruined my plans. I'm now looking forward to the summer and my 21st bday!

Creative writing exercise

• Division
• Muliplication
• Story Tell
• Adjectives
• Explain its purpose
• fishing pole holder

Lesson Plans

They're isnt a perfect lesson plan to go by. Although the Madeline Hunter is mandatory for student teachers, it doesnt necessarlily mean its the best one to go by. As we analyzed a variety of lesson plans, we as a class concluded that any lesson plan is great to follow keeping in mind your audience. Many teachers who have taught for numerous years write lesson plans in a simplier way to prepare them for the following day. However, this isnt the case if they were writing out a lesson plan for a subsitude. The lesson plan in this case would be more rigid keeping in mind the sub and whether or not he/she would be able to go through with it. One of the lesson plans I came across and liked was a teacher who decided to add dialoge.

This morning i attempted to wake up early and do some homework, of course that didnt end up happening. It's so hard for me to wake up early after only getting 4 hours of sleep. This of course is no excuse since i chose to make that decision the night before. Lately ive been feeling less motivated in school. The reason for this I dont know and I need to jump back on my game. I'm confident i will as i take this as a meaningless stage i'm going through. I've also met some people along the way that have accumulated to this feeling of mine...perhaps i should reconsider this?

Teacher's workshops

In watching these two youtube clips of teachers workshop, I realized how effective it can be for studnets. The first video demonstrated the teacher working with a group of four students. During their conference she analyzed each of the students writing and focused on each individual. She made sure to point out the good in their writing and work around the negative. As the teacher prompt the students responded by giving ways on how their mistakes could be fixed. In the second video one teacher stressed about not leaving behind students who master writing. There are also plenty of ways to continue encouraging that child and allow them to keep reaching.

Traditionalist: -The "all knowing" teacher
-worksheet after worksheet
-corrects students writing
-stays with curriculum
-tests based on evaluation
-teacher speaks and students prompt
-classrooms are set up row after row with desks
-discreet skills
-STRUCTURED.
-passive learning model
-No Child Left Behind
-IRW-Inquire Response Evaluate}question and answer.
-route memorization}compare and contrast...
-prescribed curriculum: determined outside the classroom and driven by tests and standards
-sitting one on one with students and talking about their writing needs
-teachers focuses on what the "child doesnt know" rather than what the "child knows"
-students are only allowed to talk when given permission





Constructivist:-The "facilitator" teacher
-Students inputs are heard
-teacher is relaxed allowing students to have independence
-teachers construct their desks in circles and clusters to get the students interacting.
-teachers meet the needs of students by adding personal meaning to their work
-skills are connected
-not looking for "right answers"
-active learning
-learning centers
-environment is designed to promote literacy development
-writing workshop, stations.
-open -ended questions
-Individualized stuctured}shows the creativity of every child
-flexibility
-hands-on, creative learning
-students create their own environment
-buzz of activity

Inspiration

One of the things that inspires me is my spirtuality and my family. I see the faces of my parents every morning as theyre getting ready for the day. The light in my mothers eyes shines as shes thankful for the day. Im not much of a morning person therefore i would rather be sleeping. However their enthusiasm allows me to jump start my day. Besides my parents, the one truly thing that gives me hope every morning is my Lord.

The video of the second grade class demonstarted the students using writers workshop. Every child in the classroom seemed enthusiastic about writing. What better way to have a classroom like this. I hope to one day share stories to friends and family about my students eagerness in reading and writing. The teacher allowed the students to share their writing amongst each other and share what the audience had to say. A positive remark comes a long way for students. I also noticed that the teacher allowed the students to work independently without interferring.

Reflexive

The best of what I have achieved in this assignment is allowing myself to criticize and compare the interviewee's teaching methods to my soon to be teaching. This leads me to express my thoughts and ideas to others as well as myself. One idea that i found invigorating and plan to carry with me is the teacher's method of teaching writing to her kindergarten students. Experiential writing is meaningful writing. Through this method students appreciate their work and leads them to want to continue writing. However, not everything the teacher presented to me was a wonder. I got caught off guard on how she dealt with students misbehaving. Her idea of sending children to time out and keeping them from enjoying recess seemed to bother me. Struggling with misconduct can be challenging yet something a teacher must be cautious about. I would resolve this behavior by sitting down with the student and letting him/her know what theyre doing wrong. Then keep them occupied by giving them a leading role which draws them away from disrrupting the class.

"Writing is something you do, not something you know"

Writing is something far more than trying to find what word fits best or the structure of a paper. To me being a good writing is allowing your emotions and thoughts flow. Jotting down whatever comes to mind can results in an amazing paper you thought was never possible. The best way for me would be freewriting. Having to write whatever comes to mind and not worry have to worry about the basics of writing that can be resolved later.

Affirmations

"I am at peace with my age"....This quote broadens my mind and gets me thinking about so many things. I am currently 21 and enjoying ever moment of it. As i look bnack at my childhood years i take notice of how much ive grown physically and emotionally. As i read the quote stated at the begining of this blog my classmates began to cheer and clap. This type of audience allowed me to feel open and feminine. I felt as if everyone felt my feelings at that precise moment. Throughout my life ive experienced many difficulties as well as accomplishments. Several of these difficulties are the result of my attidute and views. I dont regret the decisions ive made only wish i would have thought about them for a second time. I now live life freely appreciating the small things it has to offer and just live for the moment.

Strickland and Ray's reading response

Strickland and Ray gives us an understanding of the significance of writing. Although instructors have come along way the traditionalist teacher is one hard habit to get rid of. For this reason Strickland and Ray provide essential characteristics that’ll enhance the way of teaching writing. Writing workshops are stressed throughout the chapters. Students need to be surrounded by an environment that’s open to their emotions and thoughts and that’s exactly what writing workshops are about.
Classrooms of today are strained to prepare students to the yearly TAKS exams. The writing portion is suppose to diagnose whether the student is a good writer using a scale of one to four, four being the highest score. Not only do I believe this is a bogus standard but also think it leads to hesitant writers. According to Ray students should decide what they will be writing about and I couldn’t agree more. Writing workshops do just this by allowing personal topic selection thus creating independence upon the student.
One statement that Strickland mentions is the focus on the “mechanics” of writing and the less preferred focus of the “process.” Although the mechanics of writing are just as important to learn, we must develop these mechanics through meaning and experience after all we tend to carry information that has made an impact. To begin we must first acknowledge that not every writer is the same. Every student has their way of uniquely writing and that’s one thing the standardized exams don’t seem to understand. We’ve all heard the infamous student line, “ I don’t know where to begin.” Free writing is introduced in writing workshops knocking this statement out the door. It begins by allowing the student to write whatever comes to mind about the subject and at the same time developing ideas after another. Later the student can go back and read what he or she has jotted down giving them options of topics and finally choosing one to write about thoroughly.

Making Meaning

As time gets closer for me to walk the stage, I can't help but to feel nervous. The effort and dedication I put forth in my class will reflect my students and their education. Everyday we hear students complaing about writing and that's one thing I do not want my students walking out with. I believe writing can only be developed through meaning. What better way than to write about a certain someone or place that has created a small piece of your life. Not only can you develop much detail out of it but also talk about other experiences that come to mind as you reminisce. As much as i hesitated to write, i became aware of the emotions that i could express on paper and not in person. Looking back on journals one of the reasons for my uncertainty was based on the idea of believing i wasnt a good writer. To this day i wont say i'm excellent although i do think i've come a long way. Students who settle as failures to writing will never appreciate their ideas on paper. For this reason its important to have teachers who will encourage writing and present it in a not so traditional way.

My philosophy of learning

I learn best when i interact and share my ideas with peers. Working independently also works to my advantage only if i need some quiet time to meditate and process information. As an active learner, i enjoy getting out of my seat and actually participating in grand conversations and listening to the ideas that others have. Listening to students opinions allows me think deeper and explore the possibilities that come forth. Incorporating my own thoughts and experiences to any topic makes my work more meaningful.

Readiness

I believe children become great students by having a positive attitude and self-esteem. It's important to have a role model like a teacher or parent who encourges them. Not every child learns in the same process therefore teachers must keep this in mind when developing lesson plans. Running records on students allows the teacher to see where exaclty the student stands.

Shitty First Draft Reflection

Lamott’s description of the average persons perception about writers is far from my mind. I don’t believe writers can express their creativity and art by simply sitting at their desk along with a side of coffee. Words are far more meaningful than that. I'm not much of a writer hence my uncertainty in taking this course however out of all the papers i've had to write to professors, i've learned your first drafts are only ideas waiting to be ellaborated. So many mistakes are made including grammatical errors and not to mention the many face expressions made while reading through. Although Lamott mentions the first draft as rather personal meaning the writer can only have access to it, I believe in sharing feedback and accepting
criticism. It's how the writer accepts and takes forth this review that'll develop the writing process.

Me, myself, and I

As a Junior at A&M Corpus I've meet a variety of interesting students. I enjoy socializing and making friends. I'm the oldest of two and currently living with my parents. I believe children are the light of our day which has pushed me to become an Early Childhood specialist. I can recall my early childhood years as having the world in my hands with absolutely no worries but having to shower. To this day I rememember my most precious moments with some of the most inspiring teachers. I hope to one day impact the lives of students and inspire them with the same attitude as I was introduced to.