Cassady's Children's Literature

Midterm and Final Reflections
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Midterm and Final Reflections

Midterm Reflection

10-15-07

 

Confidence and Independence

            ~ I feel I am developing as an independent and confident learner because I am somewhat shyer naturally and I usually am afraid to step outside the box for new ideas.  I’ve noticed that I seek out new information, about everything in general, but in particular for this course I have tried to find different genres that may be interesting to me as well as students.  I have developed skills that allow me to dedicate myself 100% to studying and being focused. Learning and reading is enjoyable, which gives me confidence.

 

Skills and Strategies

            ~ I am learning new skills and strategies that I can implement with Penny’s class as well as in the future.  Some examples are having and teaching communication is very important, teaching literature opportunities by giving the students choices, relating the literature to real life, and engaging each other as a learning tool.  Role playing and brainstorming are great ways to teach communication.  I enjoyed the book sale we did for Penny’s class because we got to get into the book a little bit and try to make it interesting for the sixth graders. Literature circles are an important part because it allows the students to dig deeper within them. I feel confident about these strategies.

 

Knowledge Content

            ~ I feel my knowledge content is mediocre.  I feel confident about getting the students interested in the story and using literature in different lesson plan for different curriculum as well as expanding my literary genres.  I feel I could wing a writing workshop and creative drama because I love reading and writing and literature so much as an individual, but I do not feel confident about recognizing literary elements of hand.

 

Use of Prior and Emerging Experience

            ~ Some experience and knowledge that I might have brought to the course is spending time with students for Coila’s class. I went and spent time on a second grade class and it was an eye-opener in the aspects of the student’s variety of reading and writing levels as well as the difference in the student’s confidence.  When trying to incorporate short skits or drama, some kids are very uncomfortable doing this. Some students can read to themselves, but are to shy to read aloud and it hurts their confidence when they stumble over words.  I have also learned previously to this class ways of engaging students in the story.

 

Critical Reflection

            ~ I feel I have learned important aspects of literature in this course as well as ways I need to work on in order to help the students gain the same confidence and independent learning skills.  I realize that literature is important and can have lasting impressions on children and as teachers should reflect on this before choosing literature to present to the class.  I feel I need to get more familiar with the students in Penny’s class as well as the other classes I am observing.  Sometimes I feel the cooperating teachers are not comfortable with me being there because I am just learning teaching strategies and skills and I tend to hold back and not get completely involved.

Final Reflection

12/07/2007

 

Confidence and Independence

            ~ This semester has helped me to develop into a well-rounded learner with more confidence about children’s literature and how to connect with children using literature.  Confidence is so important with children of all ages. Confidence gives them the ability to trust themselves and take responsibility for leaning.  I feel it is the same when educating adults about becoming educators.  With confidence I can talk to children about reading and what they enjoy about a book they are reading. With confidence I can facilitate an instruction and watch students use the instructions to learn.  It was such a great opportunity to spend time with the sixlets in Penny Smith’s class. The students grew in our amount of time spent with them and they are more confident and independent readers because of the literature circles.

 

Skills and Strategies

            ~ I have learned many new skills and strategies to use in my own classroom.  With Frances’ passion and new ideas everyday, I can take those ideas and use them with new students of every age. Communication and giving students the responsibility and option to make choices in what they read and write allows them to explore themselves and learn a range of new skills including discussion groups, character reflections, book sales, role playing, story writing, and illustrating.  When an action is completed and you can see that the students learned something and participated actively, the reward is that in itself.  I feel my new skills and confidence in the strategies are priceless because I would have never been able to set foot in a classroom without them.

 

Knowledge Content

            ~ My knowledge content has grown in regards to learning about children’s literature, genres, and literary elements.  My knowledge has grown from the mid-term reflection and I appreciate learning these things. As a future educator it is so important to know the elements and appreciate them in literature. My knowledge content has grown exceedingly from the beginning of the semester in ways to find new and fun and exciting children’s literature that can be used in many different curriculums.  It is fun to find a new picture book and realize the many different things it can be used for and most importantly that a child will really enjoy reading it.

 

Use of Prior and Emerging Experience

            ~ As mentioned in my mid-term reflection, I spent a lot of time with second graders last semester for language arts and it allowed me to see that range of students reading ability, interests, and confidence that affects how they participate in the classroom and learn.  This prior knowledge was important when finding and discussing children’s literature because it reminded me the importance of having a variety of reading material.  When choosing my own books to read, I wanted to read different genres and subjects and interests in hopes to find really cool books that could be used in a classroom library that spoke to a variety of leveled readers with different interests.

 

Critical Reflection

            ~ Literature can have a lasting impression on children.  As a future educator I think this may be a favorite part of teaching.  I think there is quality reading material out there for every single kid and we should help them find the lifelong reader in themselves.  Practicing literature circles in Penny’s class allowed the students to discuss the book in many ways within themselves and realize that they have the ability to learn from each other. This strategy demonstrated growth with the group I was in and it was so fun to see them take on the roles and run with it.  This has been a very beneficial and enjoyable class.  I am leaving with more knowledge and confidence in myself as well a more knowledge and confidence in children.