Week 3

This week in class we discussed and learned about the Writing Workshop. I think this is a wonderful thing to use in the classroom. I believe that students should have plenty of time to write in class about anything they would like. Young students have wonderful imaginations and this is the time they can put them to work. You have to write your whole life so why not start young and get them ready for their futures. I think that I would have my students create a writers notebook to use for their writing workshop. I would like to come up with some type of system so that the students can share what they would like to share, but can give me some type of warning not to read their private writings. I would respect my students writing and not read things they wouldn't want me to.

This week was also our first week in our field experience. I was really nervous about going the first day, but I really think I'm going to enjoy it! I am in a fourth grade class room and even though I wanted K-3 I really think I will enjoy it. I am kind of glad I got the 4th grade room because it will give me the experience and really let me know what age group I like best. I think I am going to learn a lot about the reading and writing area. In my class room they actually are split up in different skill groups working on their literature. My teacher has the remediation group so I really think I will learn a lot about how to teach literature. My class is also in specials while we are there so I will also get to take part in their specials! I am really excited to go to their specials with them and see what they are working on! I can't wait to get to know the students and I think I am really going to like my teacher!

In this class I really enjoyed decorating my writers journal. Although I didn't find many cut outs I liked learning about what everyone else found. I really want to add real pictures to the front of my journal. The spelling section of class really hit home for me. I have never been a good speller. I had to write my spelling list so many times just to remember how to spell them. As a teacher I want to give my students the relief of writing their spelling words 50 times like I had to. Learning some spelling strategies was key for me. I want to try out all of these strategies in my classroom to see what works for what student. I really liked the focus of focusing on a students strengths and to build of their strengths instead of the their weaknesses. If all a teacher points out is a student's weaknesses the student is going to think they do it all wrong all the time. If we focus on the strengths we can not only build on what they are good at, but also boost their self esteem because they will see their own accomplishments. I would love to have all types of sources for my students in the classroom. One source I will stress in my classroom is other classmates. I want my students to be able to work and learn productively together!

Junior Year

My junior year is off to a hectic start. My schedule this year between school and work is very busy and I think it will take some getting used to. Although it will be a busy year/semester I have some mixed feelings. I am nervous, but yet excited at the same time. I am really excited to get going because it just puts me that much closer to graduation and having my own classroom! I am really nervous about starting the field experience. Although I had some time in the classroom last year I never really taught a lesson or was actually in front of the class or the teacher. I think this field experience will be a whole new world for me and will really be an eye opener! I really hope I get a nice and helpful teacher. I am so ready to learn a lot this year and really get going on actually learning how to teach children. I can't wait to start my career and actually have my very own classroom, but then again that is a scary thought too!

At first I was really skeptical about the writers notebook, but after reading the book I am actually excited about it. I'm ready to make it my own. I love being creative and doodling so my writers notebook will have a lot of color and doodles in it! I remember when I was little I actually tried to write a story. I wanted to write a chapter book and publish it. I never finished it, but I really wish I still had it so that I could go back. I think the writers notebook will really help me to remember my thoughts and ideas. I also think the writers notebook is a great writing source to use in the classroom. I think even for the younger ages they could use a writers notebook, but maybe draw pictures instead of using words. It would be a great source of practice. Like stated in class the easiest writing to do is writing about yourself or free writing. I think students could really have a lot of fun with this and could even share some of their ideas with the class if they wanted to. Like I said I can't wait to get started on mine since I can write whatever I want! :) Needless to say I am pretty excited about this year!