Week 5 Writing is a Process

What is writing?

From having Dr. Harris in a previous class I remember that "Writing is a Process".  The writing process has five different stages. 
1. Pre-writing is brainstorming and coming up with ideas and put them down on paper.  Some examples of pre-writing could be in a form of a list, web, outline, research or conversation.
2.  Drafting is your first draft written down of your ideas.  Drafting can be done on paper or computer.
3.  Revising is changing your ideas, adding or deleting information and elaborating on what you have already come up with.  This part can be done in a different color so that you can see the chages that you made to your paper.  It also includes transition words and questions.
4.  Editing is conventions of your paper.  It includes punctution and grammar.  You could also use a different color pen to show your changes.
5.  Publish this is where you do something with the students paper.  Don't just leave it in your drawer put up to show the students that you care about their work.

Today in class, Dr Harris used the hamburger to show that the top of the bun was the topic and the hook of the story and the details represented all the condiments and the bottom of the bun was the conclusion.  This is a great visual to show your students to help them understand and relate it to something that they know.

Week 4 What makes a good reader?

 
What makes a good reader/writer?
This is the famous question everyone asks.  I don't necessary believe it is limit to a certain standard definition.  A good reader can consist of many characteristics.  Some of rereading the material if they don't understand it the first time, looking up words if they don't know what they mean, comprehension of what they read, and if they are engage in the reading. If the student enjoys reading or not helps as well to if they are a good reader. 

I don't think I am a good reader for one reason.  Yes, I do all the things listed above if I don't understand it I will reread or look up words.  I just don't enjoy reading at all.  I had a teacher who was just out right mean and when I was younger I had a hard time reading out loud and she took the fun out of it for me.  Until this day really don't care to read unless I have too.  Some has change a little bit and I mean a little I will read some if I really want to.  I do want to make reading enjoyable for my students in the future and in hopes I will not do what my past teacher has done to me. 

You can teach your students to become effective readers and writers by giving them the tools needed to know how to comprehend what is read and teaching them that "writing is a process" and it takes time and once it is done the finished product is something that they came up with.  Makes reading fun and get the students engaged in what they are reading.  Find books that they want to read and find interesting to them.

Week 3 Games

Are you going to use games in your classroon?  How are you going to use games in your classroom?  Why are games important to students?

Today's class was a exciting and a fun class.  It's nice to sometime get away from the everyday lecture and same routine that we as students follow.  Games will definitely be a part of my curriculum in my class.  I want the students to have the opportunity to be able to enjoy class and want to continue learning instead of being bored and not wanting to continue to participate and learn what they are needing to learn. 

Games can be corporated in all subjects.  Teachers just need to use their creativity to produce a fun and yet educational game.  Teachers can possibly use games after teaching a concept so that the students can use a manipulative and have that hands on activity.  Many students are visual and having that visual aid could even help the student to better understand the concept that is being taught. 

Students can benifit from having the opportunity to use games in class in many way.  Some students can learn from physical activity and not just sitting in their desk and watching the teacher at all times.  I know if I had the opportunity to have games in the class some concepts could of been easier for me to understand.    I really glad we have the chance to share ideas from each other and produce them later in our own classrooms. 

Motivation Post 2 9/10/2010

Motivating kids is an art. Unfortunately, having kids and parenting them is not enough to master this art. Motivating your kids requires taking responsibility for your kids' motivation and making a commitment to keep learning and improving your motivational skills to an art form.

I came across a quote about motivation from Larina Kase, saying “The blueprint for success is inside you. It will stay there unless you take it out and create it."

Of course, an extrinsic motivation key factor is the end result of receiving my bachelor’s degree and the privilege to teach other students. But for me, I believe I have more intrinsic motivation factors. Some are I want to be able to show my daughter that I can accomplish what I set my mind to do and that nothing is just handed to you. I have that drive in myself to become more knowledgeable in the education field. Also, motivation comes in all kinds of forms and what ever motivates you to complete your goals you need to continue and complete the task at hand.

Week 1 Post 1 9/2/2010

After today class discussion about cultures and literacy, I started to think about my high school years and what groups I was in and how I related to people and their cultures. It’s been a few years (15 years ago, WOW can’t believe it) and trying to recall what went on in high school. I was part of the dance team and the future teachers. Both of these organizations were their own culture and the people in the groups we tended to associate with only them. I never realized that we were in on our sub group culture. Anyway, to get back onto how culture is related to literacy. I strongly believe that the two are connected to the way you are raised and what opportunities you have. Although, I believe it you want more opportunities you need to go out there and make it happen for yourself. Some students, their families were not given the option to go to school and get an education. I know from hearing stories from my grandmother that she worked on a farm and that was her first priority. She was unable to continue with her education at the time. So for her circumstance reading was put on the back burner until she had the opportunity to be able to continue her education. This put an impact on her ability of literacy. Having the ability to read is vital for everything. Some examples are reading a stop sign, medications, mail, bills and so on. If a person is unable to read their life has many more bumps along the way verse someone who is literate.