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Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Monday, April 18, 2011
Passionate about writing
I think that this course has increased my passions about writing. It has helped me to see the importance of writing in the classroom, as well as the importance of writing in my own life. I have always leaned toward writing and journaling as a hobby, but I feel like I now have an even greater knowledge of different types of writing I can use to express myself. Beth, the passion that you express as you teach and share about writing has really motivated me to dig deeper. I really love the many ways we have learned to use writing to express our thoughts and feelings.
I have also loved learning about the many different writing resources that can be used in our classrooms. I have learned so many ways that writing really effects students learning. I have learned how writing can empower. Most importantly, I have learned how to engross each and every student in meaningful writing. I think that since my passion has grown for writing, I will be able to more effectively teach it. I will make writing workshop a consistent element of my classroom. i also think that home journals are a great way to interact with the students families and am strongly considering using that idea to make my classroom more of a community. The students in my class will see themselves as writers, and I will make sure they know that their writing is wonderful! They will hopefully constantly want to write more, learn more, and express themselves in many ways!
I can't wait to be able to implement a writing workshop in my classroom, because it is something I have never really seen in actions. I know it can be done and I can't wait to see how my students respond to it's surprising uniqueness.
I have also loved learning about the many different writing resources that can be used in our classrooms. I have learned so many ways that writing really effects students learning. I have learned how writing can empower. Most importantly, I have learned how to engross each and every student in meaningful writing. I think that since my passion has grown for writing, I will be able to more effectively teach it. I will make writing workshop a consistent element of my classroom. i also think that home journals are a great way to interact with the students families and am strongly considering using that idea to make my classroom more of a community. The students in my class will see themselves as writers, and I will make sure they know that their writing is wonderful! They will hopefully constantly want to write more, learn more, and express themselves in many ways!
I can't wait to be able to implement a writing workshop in my classroom, because it is something I have never really seen in actions. I know it can be done and I can't wait to see how my students respond to it's surprising uniqueness.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
the importance of writing
I think that it is important that students are able to relate what they read to themselves, in other words, to make text-to-self connections. When students are writing to express their feelings or opinions that means so much more than just meaningless writing assignments. They are able to truly express themselves. If their writing time is set up in a way where there aren't strict grading rules they feel free to experiment in their writing. I think too often classrooms take this approach. I have seen my mentor teachers use writing in this way. It can be quite frustrating because then the students don't write for anything besides an assignment. They feel constantly constrained and frustrated. They write for work, never for fun.
That is something I think i will be really important in my classroom. I don't want my students to see writing as a chore, but rather an adventure. I want them to experience and be constantly be exposed to many types of text, many types of writing. I want them to enjoy each step of writing, even if it sometimes is a challange. I cant my students to write outside of class, and learn to write to epress who they are and what they believe. One thing I loved growing up was having a writers notebook, and I think that every student should have one. Each student should feel comfortable writing without the consequences of getting a bad grade. I think tis a great way to get to know students and be able to constantly encourage them in who they are as people. They can make a difference and sometimes writing can help them realize that.
That is something I think i will be really important in my classroom. I don't want my students to see writing as a chore, but rather an adventure. I want them to experience and be constantly be exposed to many types of text, many types of writing. I want them to enjoy each step of writing, even if it sometimes is a challange. I cant my students to write outside of class, and learn to write to epress who they are and what they believe. One thing I loved growing up was having a writers notebook, and I think that every student should have one. Each student should feel comfortable writing without the consequences of getting a bad grade. I think tis a great way to get to know students and be able to constantly encourage them in who they are as people. They can make a difference and sometimes writing can help them realize that.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
In the rush of life take time to smell the roses
I feel like too often we all rush, way too much.
Do you ever notice the sunset, it's beautiful as you drive into my apartment complex- perfect view of the horizon.
Spring time approaching brings many beautiful colors..If you live in athens, have you seen the blossoming tree on the corner of Milledge and Baxter that is so pink and vibrant? (I plan on taking a picture next week)
To ease the stress, take some time to rest in the presence of the Lord...
How about venturing to the Botans, going down the purple trail and laying on the rocks? You see a perfect view of the river, it's serene, peaceful... You could also take the white trail, walk for a bit and then find the huge rocks near the stream, perfect for reading on.
If you sit at Two Story coffeehouse on a warm day, upstairs, with the windows opened it can ease any studying.
But if its raining go to the prayer chapel , and listen to the rain fall from the secret window.
There is a bench in the founders garden near bushes full of magnificent flowers that start to bloom around this time. Take an afternoon to go there and explore.
If it's a Wednesday you should get an energy boost from Expresso Royale and enjoy a $2 latte :)
After that Tribe Issachar is another great place to go to rest, pray and just get away from things.
Take time to rest, enjoy life, dance, smile, read, pray....rejuvenate. God has so much in store for you this spring, you don't want to miss the simple blessings.
Do you ever notice the sunset, it's beautiful as you drive into my apartment complex- perfect view of the horizon.
Spring time approaching brings many beautiful colors..If you live in athens, have you seen the blossoming tree on the corner of Milledge and Baxter that is so pink and vibrant? (I plan on taking a picture next week)
To ease the stress, take some time to rest in the presence of the Lord...
How about venturing to the Botans, going down the purple trail and laying on the rocks? You see a perfect view of the river, it's serene, peaceful... You could also take the white trail, walk for a bit and then find the huge rocks near the stream, perfect for reading on.
If you sit at Two Story coffeehouse on a warm day, upstairs, with the windows opened it can ease any studying.
But if its raining go to the prayer chapel , and listen to the rain fall from the secret window.
There is a bench in the founders garden near bushes full of magnificent flowers that start to bloom around this time. Take an afternoon to go there and explore.
If it's a Wednesday you should get an energy boost from Expresso Royale and enjoy a $2 latte :)
After that Tribe Issachar is another great place to go to rest, pray and just get away from things.
Take time to rest, enjoy life, dance, smile, read, pray....rejuvenate. God has so much in store for you this spring, you don't want to miss the simple blessings.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Chapter 12 WW and Field Experience
My 2nd graders have been learning about persuasive writing and about letter writing. They have gotten the opportunity to write letters to the other student teacher in Mrs. Clark's classroom while her dad was in the hospital. They also wrote persuasive letters to their parents trying to convince them of something fun they should get to do over spring break. They seem to really enjoy writing in letter form, and I have seen them grow as persuasive writers. It is interesting to see the many tactics that they use to convince their audience. They seem to realaly understand and fully grasp what it means to persuade and have gotten many opportunities to practice being persuasive with real topics that they care about. They have also successfully learned the mechanics of letter writing through this in depth study. I think that this has been a great unit of study as it talks about in chapter 12 of the book., They get to do a lot of self selected writing while still learning major components of what good, effective writing is.
When I taught my science unit last week I had the students integrate their science knowledge and persuasive writing skills. The science unit was about temperature. The students were given the opportunity to make up a place, temperature for that place, clothing they would wear and activities that could be done there. After they had the opportunity to brainstorm those different components they then wrote a persuasive advertisement for that location. They were given the option of trying to persuade someone to come to their location. I think that they really enjoyed getting to be creative, use their science knowledge, and use their persuasive writing skills. They are almost finished with this project, and I can't wait to see how they all turn out.
My class loves to write and it's cool to see their creative ideas come to life on paper! I can't wait to continue to see them grow as writers throughout the rest of the semester! I think their teacher does a great job teaching writing and that writing is a really big focus in their classroom. It makes a difference!
When I taught my science unit last week I had the students integrate their science knowledge and persuasive writing skills. The science unit was about temperature. The students were given the opportunity to make up a place, temperature for that place, clothing they would wear and activities that could be done there. After they had the opportunity to brainstorm those different components they then wrote a persuasive advertisement for that location. They were given the option of trying to persuade someone to come to their location. I think that they really enjoyed getting to be creative, use their science knowledge, and use their persuasive writing skills. They are almost finished with this project, and I can't wait to see how they all turn out.
My class loves to write and it's cool to see their creative ideas come to life on paper! I can't wait to continue to see them grow as writers throughout the rest of the semester! I think their teacher does a great job teaching writing and that writing is a really big focus in their classroom. It makes a difference!
Monday, February 21, 2011
Chapters 7,8,19 WW
The materials provided for a writing workshop can encourage creativity. It is true that when students are able to explore with materials in any subject area they are more prone to working hard. They are encouraged to be creative and to explore different ways to tailor their writing habits. They are also more encouraged to make writing their own when the supplies are readily available to them.When students are allowed to move around the room the same creativity occurs. They are able to find an area where they will work best. They are able to choose from so many different options, whether they decide to move to the quiet corner or work alongside productive chatter. When it is planned out in a set fashion all of this moving doesn't encourage chaos, but it is a part of the rhythm of the day. Children need to make the space and environment their own and I think the things I mention help to shape that.
I think that writing workshops need to be chaotic in an organized way. I don't know how well my mentor teacher would do with this type of enviroment, but I believe that it could definitely be productive when given the correct structure. Students should be doing all different things and that is ok. I think it would be hard to know what each of my students are doing in order to keep tabs on their progress, but that's ok. That is when the classroom really isn't just owned by the teacher, but the students have the ownership too. They are able to work hard and are motivated to do so. This is whent he structure comes in. It would be hard to put a writing workshop in a box, that is true. I think that makes it exciting! I can't wait to see how the writing workshop in my classroom will shape up. I also can't wait to see how it will change and become better through the years.
Students need to make a goal with their writing. I agree that publlishing makes kids excited about what they can create. It makes them proud and encourages them in their writing. I remember that I always loved to get to share my published writing in school throughout elementary and high school. I can't wait to get my students encouraged in their writing. I want them to look foward to their writing, have goals for themselves and get to applaud their clssmates.
I think that writing workshops need to be chaotic in an organized way. I don't know how well my mentor teacher would do with this type of enviroment, but I believe that it could definitely be productive when given the correct structure. Students should be doing all different things and that is ok. I think it would be hard to know what each of my students are doing in order to keep tabs on their progress, but that's ok. That is when the classroom really isn't just owned by the teacher, but the students have the ownership too. They are able to work hard and are motivated to do so. This is whent he structure comes in. It would be hard to put a writing workshop in a box, that is true. I think that makes it exciting! I can't wait to see how the writing workshop in my classroom will shape up. I also can't wait to see how it will change and become better through the years.
Students need to make a goal with their writing. I agree that publlishing makes kids excited about what they can create. It makes them proud and encourages them in their writing. I remember that I always loved to get to share my published writing in school throughout elementary and high school. I can't wait to get my students encouraged in their writing. I want them to look foward to their writing, have goals for themselves and get to applaud their clssmates.
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