Learning Letter

Dear Sean,

Wow! This has been an educational experience that I won’t soon forget. This quarter went by faster than any other. I think it went by quickly because there were many engaging and important assignments to complete, not to mention the other school demands. Just when you get comfortable with classmates and the routine, it suddenly ends.

I love that we used a blog to display and share our thoughts and assignments. What a great tool for the classroom. By starting off with learning about Common Core State Standards and the informational education articles that included: Pedro Freire with pedagogy of the oppressed, Duncan-Andrade-Morrell critical pedagogy, the Edtpa guidelines, the California state expository reading and writing course, Stephen Brookfield’s discussion as a way of teaching, assessing and evaluating students’ learning, were all exemplary ways to understand and become actively involved in the teaching arena.

The two books we read about helping students value reading: Tovani’s I read it, but I don’t get it, and Kelly Gallagher’s Readicide, are definitely books to keep and consider during teaching literature to adolescents. There are so many great ideas and graphic organizers to put to use.

I like that we were introduced to professionals that care about how their students learn. Both authors had great attitudes and the desire to change the way kids think about reading literature. Tovani and Gallagher are inspiring teachers; I want to learn more about their effective teaching techniques.

The mini-lessons were fun, when it wasn’t my turn. I loved watching the other students teach their mini-lessons. The support that my classmates showed to each other was nice to witness. Everyone had great ideas and was deeply involved with the process. When it was my turn for the mini-lesson it didn’t go as bad as I had imagined. I learned a lot about pacing and interacting in front of the classroom. I am glad we were required to jump out of our comfort zone, but I’m also glad that part is over!

Our three-week literature lesson plan was quite the feat. What I learned through the process, was that lesson planning takes plenty of time and resources. I am sincerely glad that I had this learning experience even though it was painful. I just found a terrific website to help with lesson planning and teaching: www.teachingchannel.org. If I could do over, I would start working on the lesson plan as soon as the Winter quarter started, but I was trying to learn and gather information first, then it was time to concentrate on reading or getting a book talk or mini-lesson planned-out. So, I don’t know if it would have been feasible, but I sure learned a lot under pressure, (like how to breathe).

The book talks we all did were extremely beneficial. Not only did I learn about some new books for the classroom, but I was able to see the passion involved in each student’s choice of book. I enjoyed sharing my book, Jeannette Walls Glass Castle, even though I know I wasn’t able to tell everything I wanted, because I lost one of my note cards, and my brain went into panic/survival mode. I was still able to benefit from the opportunity though. I get a little more comfortable, with the process, each time it happens.  

Thanks for everything! Thanks for guiding me through different areas of discomfort, it was a valuable and unforgettable learning experience!

Stacy Price