Blog 3 - Reader's Response

Reader's Response is crucial for developing understanding and comprehension of any text that a student reads. Activities such as journals, webs, and reader's theater are great ways to get students to develop a greater understanding of what they may have just finished reading. I believe that it is important that students learn to think about what they have just read and allowing them to respond in a journal is a great way to do it. Not only are they reflecting on what they just finished reading, but they also have the opportunity to connect with a character or a situation from the text.

The book that I liked the most was "The Elves and The Shoemaker". I thought the illustrations in that book were great and would definitely capture the imagination of children. There is a good underlying lesson that can be learned as well. Children can learn about helping others and giving back to those in need.

The book that I liked the least was "My Great-Aunt Arizona". The only reason that I disliked this book from all the others is because I felt that it was a bit wordy and lengthy. I noticed that I was not paying as close attention to it as any of the others which leads me to believe that a group of elementary kids, with a much smaller attention span, may not stay focused either.

Blog 2 - Idea Development/Generating Ideas

This week, I learned that idea development is the foundation for good writing. Students can develop ideas for writing in many different ways. For example, they can develop ideas by using strategies such as brainstorming, listing, and prewriting. These strategies allow students to really dig deep and make connections with their own personal experiences. It gives students the opportunity to think about what message they are trying to convey to their intended audience.

Five words that describe me are: respectful, loyal, committed, dedicated, and honest. I believe you must be honest with yourself before you can be honest with those around you.

Blog 1 - What Did You Learn?

In this week's reading, I learned that the words that we choose to use and the comments that we make to our students play an important role on how students will react. I believe that, as educators, it is up to us to make sure that the words we use help encourage our students to learn and to pursue areas of content that they may not have otherwise felt comfortable with. For example, when reading chapters 1-3 in Choice Words by Peter Johnston, I learned that a simple comment, such as "What a talented young poet you are," can encouarage a student to take on that identity and possibly even pursue that identity further. Children are like sponges, they absorb everything that is presented to them, and that is why it is crucial that we make sure that their experience in our classroom is a positive one.