Module 6

I found this module to extremely helpful. I particularly enjoyed looking through this PowerPoint. I have used PowerPoint many times and would consider myself somewhat knowledgeable when creating a PowerPoint. I did the information to be a refresher on how to create and develop presentations. The module mentioned it is important to highlight and outline the major points. It also stated to create an outline slide, a conclusion slide, and ask for questions at the end of the presentation. These are a few things that I usually don’t include, but will start to incorporate them into presentation that I create. I also enjoy working with web 2.0 tools, particular Prezi. I enjoyed reviewing the different types of Web 2.0 tools, and hope to try some of them out in the near future.   

Module 5

Video: An Example of Effective Classroom Management

In my teaching experience I find that students are more engaged when working with partners or independently on a specific learning task. The videos presented reflected some of the literacy workstations I currently use in my own classroom. By using literacy workstations students are able to practice literacy skills with a partner or independently while the teacher works with small group focusing on the specific reading skills necessary to move them from one level to the next. My students are always eager to begin working on literacy centers especially if it’s more hands on rather than worksheet based. Students love the literacy review games and are always activity involved in the activity with their partner practicing the literacy skill.

Video: Using Literacy Centers to Strengthen Reading and Writing Instruction

What is the rest of the class doing while you are working with a small group of students? This question was presented in the video. However, it’s not the first time this question has been presented to me. At my current school, administration will ask teachers this very same question. The answer is really simple…Literacy Centers practicing or reviewing literacy skills, specifically focusing on reading, writing, speaking and listening.

Video: Space and Places

I have heard of Debbie Diller and her literacy centers. However, the classroom design book I had not heard of before, but found this video to be very interesting. I’m always looking for ways to reorganize and rearrange my classroom. I find that I get bored of the same set-up, and I think the students do too! I think this book will help me get some new ideas for the next school year. I think that it is important to maximize the students’ learning environment and make learning available in every part of the classroom.

 

 

Module 4

Literacy Across the Curriculum: Literacy across the curriculum has become a popular topic in schools today, especially with the push of text complexity. It’s important for teachers to incorporate literacy into every subject taught in school. After all, literacy is the foundation to all learning. As a reading and social studies teacher, I don’ teach these two subjects in isolation, but rather together as a humanities block. I try to create a unit that incorporates both content standards (reading and social studies). This was a little time consuming at first, but as I continued to provide instruction that included both reading and social studies standards it became less time consuming and was easy to implement into the classroom.

RTI- RTI is something I am very familiar with. This year I have 5 students currently in the RTI process. The RTI is a tiered process that provides students with the necessary academic interventions. This process helps students reach their full potential and prevents educators from labeling or placing a student into special education services. The charts and pyramid in the RTI PowerPoint was a great visual that explains how the tier process works at each level.

Video- I enjoyed watching the video of the first grade students creating sentences. The lesson was very engaging for the students and individuals watching the video. Students love lessons that are hands on when learning new concepts. Using sentence strips is a great way to keep students connected to the learning task and fully engaged. The students were able to hold part of the sentence in their hands. This allowed students to be a part of the lesson and not just a spectator. The teacher did a fabulous job of keeping the students engaged and involved throughout her teaching.

Strategic Reading Instruction PPT: This PowerPoint provided a great review for me. I really enjoyed reading about student centers. Literacy centers is something I am very familiar with. My school has had a strong push on teachers incorporating literacy centers into our reading block for the past two years. The PowerPoint provided ideas that I currently use within my classroom. However, there were many other great ideas that I can’t wait to try out in my classroom. I also found the Reading Components and the Big Five very important. It made me think of two terms I use in my classroom: Reading to Learn and Learning to Read. I have a wide range of readers. Most of my students are practicing Reading to Learn and a few are still working on learning to read. The students who are learning to read are more focused on the decoding aspect of reading, whereas my other students are reading to learn. They are more focused on the comprehension aspect of reading.

Webquest PPT: I have the opportunity to create a web quest during my undergraduate. However, I haven’t used them since them. I know students love using web quest because it allows them to research and learn on their own. It’s fun and engaging for the students. In today’s society, students are very familiar with technology and by using web quests it allows for students to explore the content and enhance their technology skills. This is something I would like to start in my own classroom. I know my students would love working with web quests as a way to enhance their learning.