Course Strands

Communication:

Communication is a key factor to most courses especially this one.  Working with anyone requires a strong foundation in communication.  When working with the students at Apache it is important to communicate what we expect of them and how we plan to help them reach the stated goal.  When helping my students I am talking to them constantly about their stories and what they could add or make better.  If I am not clear about what I am trying to say the improvements will not be made.  The communication with my classmates is also key for success in this course.  The time given to reflect on our experiences and the discussions that go along with them is very beneficial.  This helps give me ideas about what I would do to overcome obstacles with children in my own future classroom.  Without communication we would never get great ideas from others and we would never be able to improve ourselves.

Research:

When we run across a trouble or when we are just interested in learning more, many of us lean towards research to help us find our way.  Research may come in an informal or formal form.  During this course I have asked questions and received an informal type of research that involved many people’s ideas and opinions.  I find this type of research very valuable if, it is coming from someone who has experience in what I am asking.  When I needed help with my students at Apache I did not just sit by and let my students fail I sought out help on how to really reach them.  Thanks to the instructor and other classmates I was able to make a connection.  I have also taken a step in formal research for my chapter presentation.  I researched on the internet to find out more information about my subject matter and to seek out helpful websites that provide lesson plans for my material.  Research is important for not only book reports but also to seek advice for life situations.

Technology:

Technology is a huge part of our world, and it is ever changing.  As future teachers we need to not be afraid of technology and learn as much as we can.  Technology is taking over schools across America.  By the time I begin teaching there is no doubt that computers and other technologies will be used by all students if funds are available.  This course has taken me a bit deeper into my not so familiar area of the internet.  Being in charge of my own website was very overwhelming for me in the beginning.  I thought it was going to be more work than I could handle but I have found it very helpful.  If I cannot remember something all I have to do is go back to my website and read until I find what I was looking for.  I can do the basics when it comes to computers but with any other technology I feel very intimidated or that I might break it.  When we presented our stories I was afraid to use the video camera not because it was complicated but because it did not belong to me.  Technology is everywhere and apart of every classroom.  It is vital we get exposure to the ever changing technology when we get the chance.

Collaboration:

At Apache we are all working individually with our students but we all have a common goal.  We have to get along with our students and work with them to reach that goal.  As the next few weeks pass we will be working more closely with our classmates and their groups.  Getting along with people is a part of life.  It can be beneficial to work with others.  When we have our reflection time about working at Apache we are collaborating to help not only each other succeed but also all of the students we work with.  We may not work closely with one another right now but we all have the same goal in mind and we are all preparing for the big storytelling performance at the end of the semester.

Five Dimensions of Learning

Confidence and Independence

I am a person who needs time to warm up to new situations unless it something I already feel comfortable with.  On the first day of class the activity that was presented to us made me very uncomfortable not only because it was unique but also it was my first week in the education program and I was already nervous.  I was also nervous about working with the students at Apache because I am shy and this is all a part of my grade.  All of my pressures and the new school year kept me from opening up and being the confident person that I am.  I began to loosen up and get more comfortable which made my confidence come out.  Last week I provided the warm up lesson and it did not go as I had planned but I was open to doing it.  I think I am always an independent worker which is not always good but I am not so independent that I am unable to ask questions when I really need help.  I felt like I was not getting my students to come out and tell me their story so I asked the instructor for some tips.  We spent time after class to talk about what was happening and how I can relate to the students.  I am showing my confidence and working with my children and I can see the difference from the first day of class up to now.

Skills and Strategies

I have been learning many new skills and strategies for working with children.  Our instructor has taught me that I must make a connection with my students in one way or another.  She gave me the idea of sharing jokes to make the students more comfortable.  As my students are not this outgoing we now talk about their weeks and anything else they want to talk about before we get started with our work.  When I presented the warm-up with the class it did not go as I had planned.  This lets me know these students are not that comfortable with this strategy of acting silly before we start.  I have observed other students who have used games as a way to start their groups.  I think these are all good ideas and can all be used with certain children.

Knowledge Content

I think I have learned a lot so far in this class.  The Apache meeting is when I learn a lot about myself and the afternoon meeting is when I learn new information and techniques.  I think one of my favorite things I have learned so far is from Valerie.  She presented a paragraph in a different language and asked us to read it.  Of course none of us could read more than a few words and she was trying to demonstrate how people feel when they are submersed into a language they are not familiar with.  We always say it is difficult for second language learners but we never really know how it feels until we are put in a similar situation.  I have learned a lot of things but I would classify most of them as skills and strategies.  I have also learned that all students have different needs and must be addressed in different manners.  My two students both need my attention in different ways.  One student needs me to really push him for him to be successful at coming up with his story while the other needs reminders to add detail and needs less guidance.  I already knew that students had different needs but the experience puts it into reality.

Use of Prior and Emerging Experience

The experiences that I have with children are with those who are more outgoing and more disruptive.  My students at Apache are neither.  I am not use to having quiet well behaved children so I am having lots of new experiences that will help me in my own classroom.  My prior experience is important because I do the same types of things with the shy students, but I do them in a different way.  With my quiet students I have to come at them with a more indirect approach so I do not overwhelm them.  I hope to have many more experiences throughout the class.

Critical Reflection

I see myself growing as a professional and am glad to have these experiences.  Working at Apache has shown me how to make a connection with shy children and how to get them involved.  I am interested in learning about English learners and have continued to read the textbook.  Growing up I came in contact with few English learners and I did not meet most until high school.  This has all been a very intriguing exciting experience for me so far.  I cannot wait to see what else might come my way this semester.

When it comes to evaluating myself I feel kind of awkward because I have never had to do it.  I come to class every day and try my best even when I do not feel like it.  I have been keeping up with my website and did not leave it until the last second.  I have been able to stop and ask questions when I do not feel successful.  These are a few things I have considered in grading myself and with that I believe I deserve an A.

I think I am developing into a better professional each time I visit Apache.  I love having contact with the children.  I do not really have any suggestions for my further development except keep doing what I am doing.  I think experience is everything and that is what I am currently doing to help myself.  All of the things I am doing now will help me to continue to develop further this semester and in my other classes.

I have enjoyed the class this far.  I do recommend a more organized approach to the course.  I feel that everything is not as clear as it could be.  I myself have a hard time with things being disorganized.  I have learned to cope and there are times when things are not clear but I do enjoy the field trips.  I think maybe there is a better way to present the textbook just because we run out of time.