Created a Wikispace Page

In creating the page it was quite user friendly but I am not sure all that can be done on wikispace. In creating assignments for students to achieve I plan on doing discussions and projects. I understand it is an interactive tool but I don't know how to work the system yet. There is an assessment device to show me how students are doing on their projects. In using this tool I will assist those students that seem to be struggling in putting information together. If students are ELL or have an IEP I will make accommodations to help them to achieve a final project. In all projects or assignments there will be a rubric so students understand the expectation of the assignments. My goal is to teach either English or History. In teaching either of these subjects I want to inspire students to become lifelong learners. This can only be achieved if I am willing to let the students guide the learning.

Ending Thoughts of the Semester

Reflection Questions and Answers:

How will you choose and teach vocabulary words?

I will choose to teach vocabulary in several differing ways. In Blog 3 I discussed the differing ways that vocabulary can be taught. "...Graves urged educators to consider several important facets of vocabulary learning and teaching that are applicable in the content areas. First, he recommended initiating vocabulary teaching with a student-friendly definition and a meaningful context based upon the students experiential knowledge. These contexts can be written texts, concrete objects, pictures, and even video clips" (pg.7)  Some of the activities of using a graphic organizer to find relationships and context clues can help students to visualize an association. Categorizing word commonalities are also helpful for students to understand the usage of words. Vocabulary is a continual journey in speech and writing and as an English/History teacher it will be my job to expand that knowledge for my students. I would like to implement the visual and root ideas to help all students in the classroom. 

 How will you structure opportunities for students to use oral language?

I would have a lot of class discussion opportunities through pairs, small groups, and with the whole class. Giving students the chance to ask questions and give opinions or thoughts produces a socratic academic environment.  

How will you integrate digital technologies?

I will integrate digital technology in as many ways as I can because there are so many wonderful digital tools available to use. I have a class blog started from my ITLS 4015 class started so I would like to have discussions available. Kahoot is a wonderful tool to use for assessing students. Then for my ELL kids having a book in their own language would be helpful so students can understand what we are talking about to participate in discussions.  

What kinds of texts will you make available to your students? 

In both my English and History class I would like to have many differing text for students have a broad understanding of the era and people during the time of the story. This will help students understand why the author wrote the story and what there message might be. In my Blog about Critical literacy I wrote; There are many things that can be done to add to the classroom to enrich learning. Having supplemental and multiple texts available to compare or contrast and interpret stories. Text with differing views can help students to analyze and question information. In teaching students by using critical literacy skills can help them become better students and more informed on issues. It can help students find the joy in learning because they are searching and questioning information instead of being fed knowledge. We as teachers are helping to change the future by encouraging  our students to search information.  We want the future generation have the skills to question and think about issues so they can be life long learners.

Questioning

In reading the article by Van De Weghe I learned the importance of questioning in the classroom. Why we as teachers need to be willing to ask questions, so that students can learn instead of regurgitate information. I like this video explaining how we can frame the questioning and lead students to learn. This type of teaching I understand because it is the way I teach at home. I ask my kids is this going to get you where you want to be? Usually the answer is No. So then I ask what is another way to approach the problem? Becoming a teacher to help students to think is a wonderful thing to do especially in the High School level where students will need to think as they go out in the world.

When I was in school more than twenty years ago learning was regurgitation type of learning. The teacher was in the front of the room and lectured. This was not enjoyable in any way for me and I struggled to learn because I was bored. In doing clinicals I have noticed some changes in middle school but not in High School. Even though we have the Common Core Curriculum teachers won't change because they have been doing it for 15 or 20 years and are close to retirement. So why change teaching strategies? The answer to that question is do you care if your students are learning or achieving scholastically? Just like in any other career there is going to be someone that doesn't care and just wants the paycheck. If you are a teacher with this attitude then it is time to find something else. In my school district I can only find a handful of teachers that do really care, all the rest are there for the paycheck.

In a Civil Rights Unit I would ask questions like:
How does Plessy vs. Ferguson impact society? Why?
Which movement was most effective in changing society passive or aggressive? Why?
If you wanted to change a problem how would you go about achieving a solution?
What was the most profound movement during the Civil Rights Era? Why?
If you lived during this era who would you support Malcom X, Martin Luther King Jr. or the white supremacist group? Why?
Why is it important to learn about the Civil Rights Movement? Why?

Critical Literacy In the Classroom

How do you define critical literacy? 
Critical literacy is having students dig deeper for an understanding of what they are learning through using supportive text or media. 
What ideas do you have for fostering critical literacy among your students after reading the article? 
There are many things that can be done to add to the classroom to enrich learning. Having supplemental and multiple texts available to compare or contrast and interpret stories. Text with differing views can help students to analyze and question information. In teaching students by using critical literacy skills can help them become better students and more informed on issues. It can help students find the joy in learning because they are searching and questioning information instead of being fed knowledge. We as teachers are helping to change the future by encouraging  our students to search information.  

             In reading the text “eVoc Strategies: 10 Ways to Use Technology to Build Vocabulary” , I found many things to add to the classroom setting. Some of the ideas from the reading I liked were vocabulary games, language translators, and reading digital text. In looking at the websites for the vocabulary games, it is neat how much is available to add interest to do vocabulary in the classroom. The translator is a great idea for ELL students because I would think it helps to learn through your own language first to compare with the second language. To be able to use this tool in reading text would be great along with the auditory eBooks would be great to add in class. If you are reading a novel in class, the ELL students can listen or translate then read to what you plan on reading for the day in class. Using digital text I think would be great to use in having students learn current events or other articles to be read in class. I would like to try each area in one way or another in the classroom.

            In trying to find digital literacy text or site, I played around with different areas. I went on poll everywhere and created a couple of polls. I don’t understand how to work it yet but I think it would be a great tool to implement in class. https://pollev.com/rebeccawilki935 Here is the link to take a poll have fun.

The Importance of Reading and Writing

This Message from Penny Kittle is a problem in each grade. As teachers we need to be willing to listen to our students when we are creating lessons in mind for their education.

 

Penny Kittle mentions we can not create writers without having students read.

  Through the reading and the powerpoint in the module for this week we learned many techniques that can be implemented in the classroom. The two things that were important to me was the thoughts of writing does not need to be perfect and having students read a book of choice then write about the text. Through having students practice the levels of writing and analyzing reading we can lead students to becoming life long learners.

In reading in the text about English writing it discusses where teachers did not find an importance for students to write creatively this to me is heartbreaking. How can we help students enjoy writing if they can't be creative? Part of helping students understand learning is making mistakes are great because without making a mistake learning could not happen. Modeling brainstorming, rough drafts, peer review, and editing papers helps students see there is more to writing then putting thoughts to paper. 

Reading as we can see with what Penny had to say goes hand in hand with writing. Reading is the model of writing. Giving choice can help encourage learning. "...once a month eighth graders chose independent reading books from a focal genre or category of literature (e.g., award-winning novels, biographies, or historical fiction)." ( Dawson, p. 33)  After reading students then took a timed test which discussed the book the students read. This was to help simulate district timed tests. Teachers used this privilege to model brainstorming and analyzing text to help students learn the skills to become successful in the type of tests that were required. As teachers we need to be willing to model the same skills that students will need to be successful in the future. 


   



  

Blog 3: Importance of  Vocabulary

Through reading the text this week I have reflected how I learned vocabulary in school. It was the traditional way of finding the definition within the dictionary. Though I can find words within the dictionary it did not have extensive help for the future. As a teacher I would like to use diverse ways in learning vocabulary so that I can help all my students needs. 
Harmon, Wood and Hedrick mention the terminology of words that could mean very different things in diverse subjects.  Though I knew this I had not thought of the complication this could cause ELL students. English is one of the hardest languages to learn due to this problem of a word meaning diverse things. In teaching the root and affixes of a word can help students to learn to break down what a word can mean. In helping ELL learners understand the meaning of vocabulary we might need to apply visuals through either pictures or graphic design handouts. "...Graves urged educators to consider several important facets of vocabulary learning and teaching that are applicable in the content areas. First, he recommended initiating vocabulary teaching with a student-friendly definition and a meaningful context based upon the students experiential knowledge. These contexts can be written texts, concrete objects, pictures, and even video clips" (pg.7)  Some of the activities of using a graphic organizer to find relationships and context clues can help students to visualize an association. Categorizing word commonalities are also helpful for students to understand the usage of words. Vocabulary is a continual journey in speech and writing and as an English/History teacher it will be my job to expand that knowledge for my students.