Always Learning

Goals

-         - I would like to learn how to appropriately integrate technology into the classroom. Is it possible to have too much? If so, what is the limit?

-         - I want to learn more strategies and techniques to teach literacy to ESL and special needs students

-         - I want to further my knowledge when it comes to making lesson plans

-        -  I don’t really have a preference to where I teach. While I’m young and single I’d like to work in an urban setting then eventually start teaching in the suburbs as I get older.

-          -Where I went to school, we really didn’t have much diversity; but I would love to take a job where the students are from all walks of life. Diversity in the classroom enhances learning

-        -  I really want to learn more about how to teach ESL students. If I take a job in the southwest I am likely to come across more ESL students and I want to be able to teach them to the best of my ability

-          -The jigsaw articles were very helpful. They also made me realize that this is an area where I need more development. I need to learn more about what are the best ways to teach these students

-          In Risko & Walker-Dalhouse’s article it talked about cultural modeling and how you can bring in literature from a student’s background/community to assist in their reading

o   Cultural modeling is a great way to introduce ELS students to literacy. They are able to read/write about things that they are familiar with and also learning about the English language at the same time

-          In the Hettinger & Knapp article it talked about struggling readers and I enjoy reading this piece because I can relate to it

o   I think that having students (who are struggling with fluency) read their own work aloud is a great idea. I also think reading pomes/ doing a play would be great for this type of student. They are able to really look at what they are reading and understand how it is supposed to be said

o   I also really like the idea of students bringing in unfamiliar words and telling the teacher/class about how they figured out what the word was.  This brings in new vocabulary and teaches kids how to identify unfamiliar words