September 9, 2010
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February 23, 2010
I Poem Power Point
We have used I poems in research. We created a I poem with information that we found out about Blackbeard. We create these poems in a creative way but with accurate information. I am poems are a great creative way to get students interested in a topic. By allowing them to create a poem about a topic helps them learn more about the topic while learning poetry. By allowing students to collect date and organize it in data retrieval charts or graphs it helps them to go more in-depth with the topic. With my Blackbeard I am poem I read 3 different books about pirate one specifically on Blackbeard and visited numerous websites. As I did the research I placed the information in a data retrieval chart. It helped me understand who Blackbeard was.
February 16, 2010
Shared Readings: Modeling Comprehension, Vocabulary, Text Structures, and Text Features for Older Readers
“Modeling is the primary way through which teachers can demonstrate for their students how readers can interact with texts (e.g.,Taylor & Pearson, 2002)”. Shared reading is the most popular form of modeling. Many people describe shared reading as modeling and supporting the use of cues and self monitoring reading strategies. These may involve the use of pictures, making predictions, rereading blending phonemes and finding familiar words to decode new words. 25 teachers were interviewed and discussed several things that go with shared reading such as; vocabulary, comprehension, text structures, and text features. As I read the article I tried to think in my mind when I have seen this in pratice. I have seen chilren read silently and out of the basil yet I haven’t seen a shared reading experience yet. I also didn’t know what a text stucture and features were. A text sturcture is a sturcture used in presenting information that readers can use to predict the flow of information. I think this means like in a suspenseful story a reader may be able to predict what may happen next to a character or what is going to happen in the setting. A text feature is componts of the text added to increase understanding or intrest. I find it intresting that all the time that I have been in school and never really knew that the pictures, charts and graphs etc. in books were called text features.
Pirate: Internet Workshop
As I completed the internet workshop on pirates I never really knew that information could differ from site to site. As I completed the DRC and answered the questions I noticed that the information was similar yet very different. The question about how Buccaneers got their names I found many different variations. On one site they said they were named after knives used by natives on Hispanola. Then on another site its said they received their name from boucanier meaning “someone who makes smoke”. I never though information could vary. Yet, through this experience I have realized that web sites can have different information about a subject. I realized that Wikipedia is not an accurate source of information but through the website I searched today through the internet workshop I came to see that educational web sites may vary.
I liked seeing all the different sites. There were all different from set up, pictures and to information. I enjoyed surfing through the sites to find the information provided yet I could not seem to find information about authors. I looked for bibliography and found a few on some sites.
February 9, 2010
Internet Workshop and Blog Publishing: Meeting Student (and Teacher) Learning
This aarticle was full of information! It was a lot to read and take in. As discussed there are many teacher that do not have access to computers to use. I believe technology is getting more and more available for classroom teachers and students. In the time we live it is important for teachers and students to have access to all the technology that is readily available. I loved how the article gave details and examples for teachers to integrate technology into lessons. The unit starts off by using the internet in a useful and engaging way. Most students don’t know how to use the internet for research but only for recreational use. It is important to teach ways to help students do research online. Blogs are very helpful for students. It shows them that their work is important and that by publishing work is important therefore it needs to neat and grammatical correct. I think having studnets attend workshops help them to feel like the projects are importand and should be professional.
Swashbuckling Adventures on the High Seas
I haven’t been one for diagrams and charts but this article gives good ideas and ways to gather and sort information. I like the double entry diaries. I used this last semester in learners and diversity class. I found this to be more helpful than just note taking. I think this is a better way to take notes about a subject or story than taking your own notes. I see double entry diaries as a treasure map. A treasure map that helps students comprehend stories. Also, allowing students to research a pirate of their choice helps them to fully comprehend pirates but I think they need to share the information they found with others. The data retrieval chart is a great way to organize information without using a concept map (in which I hate). This is a great alternative to concept maps!
Pirates in Historical Fiction and Nonfiction:A Twin-Text Unit of Study
The twin text unit of study is something that I believe in. I like using literatrure books in all subjects fictional or non-fictional. It is important to be able to intergrate literature in all subject areas. As a teacher being able to multi-task is important. There may not be time to do a social studies lessons but if you can find literature books that incorporate social studies you can cover most subjects. The pirate diary is a great opportunity for students to learn new definitions. I would use the diary for different subjects but give them different names. For example in my unit of instruction for Dr. Marks’s class I am doing a unit on fractions. I would use the diary just as if it were the pirate diary but make it a fraction diary. I like the diary because it allows students to explore what they already know about a subject and what they want to learn about the subject. I like how the teachers in the article decorated the classroom with pirate books,maps, and memorable. I think this is a good way to get students thinking about hte subject.
The Not-So-Jolly Roger
What a lovely book about Blackbeard. I loved how this book joined fictional and non fictional events. Also, it combined science fiction with the time travel. The book seemed to be an easy read. This read would be a great way to help students who are low readers to be introduced to Blackbeard. Actually, it could be used for any level reader. I liked the book because it used humor to introduce Blackbeard the Pirate/pirates in general. I don’t remember pirates in school. I remember discussing pirates along the North Carolina coast but not in-depth. I like pirates and believe to be interesting. Plus, there are even pirates in today’s world. I would love to introduce this book and discuss the difference in pirates then and now.
February 2, 2010
Integrating Instructional-Level Social Studies Trade Books for Struggling Readers in Upper Elementary Grades
I read this article and I remembered being in school and getting frustrated at the slow readers who could not keep up. I always wondered why the teacher asked them to read knowing very well that they could not. As I realize today teachers have options for those students. It is just a matter of taking time to find ways to help them. This article suggests many ways to help slow readers. First it is important to know on which level your slow readers are on. Then by taking the time to find appropriate texts for these students it will help them become more fluent readers with comprehension of the text. (Subject) To find these appropriate texts it is important to find “good books” for students to read. A good book is one that expands awareness, provides an enjoyable read that doesn’t overly teach or moralize, tells the truth, quality, integrity, and originality. Books are available for all levels of reader but it just takes time to find those books.
I am a person who likes to integrate literature into other subjects. I never thought about the fact that I may one day choose a book that is not suitable for every student in my classroom. I must say that this article has opened my eyes. At the conclusion of the article there is a quote I found very interesting and helpful. “Teaching is the practical recognition of differences. Until differences among the pupils of a given class are recognized, instruction cannot be on a sound, effective, systematic basis. A significant part of the dilemma in modern education has been brought about by a failure to admit differences—by the treating of all children alike. A “class” or “grade” is an abstraction; it exists in the teacher’s mind or nervous system. . . . No one has ever seen a “first-grade class,” or a “fifth-grade class.” What a teacher should “see” is a group of individuals, unique unto themselves. Not until differences are “seen” is the teacher ready to teach, because learning the child must precede teaching him. . . . Differentiated instruction is a way of evaluating and living with a group of individuals in a classroom that results in a maximum of development of each individual in terms of his interests, needs, and capacities.”
Poetry
Many people cringe at the word poetry. I would say that I am one of those people! But, as I have learned in the past week poetry is not as scary as I thought. Poetry is so much more than rhyming. As a young student in elementary school teachers always wanted me to write rhyming poetry. I can’t rhyme. As I read “Love That Dog” I began to realize that poetry is more about expression than anything else. Poetry can be whatever you want it to be. I have noticed that poetry comes in many shapes and forms just like people. Poetry should not be a chore or task it should be a want and a need. As teacher I believe that it is important not to turn your students off to poetry. Allow students to express themselves by using poetry. Free style poetry is so important for students. By introducing students to free style poetry you can break the poetry stigma.
