Comments for Journey Through the First Year

Comment on Senior Independent Reading Reflection by Dawn Hogue

Dawn Hogue — Fri, 07 May 2010 21:29:58 +0000

I love that you reflect immediately after you’ve concluded a unit or a lesson. There is really no better way to fine tune what you do.

Comment on A change in curriculum, a change in pedagogy by Jean

Jean — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:53:41 +0000

I agree with Amy. I am impressed with how you handled the situation and reflected on how to improve it. I think the students sent a strong message about reading. We need to further explore what that might look like in the course. I look forward to further discussions with you on this issue.
Jean

Comment on Grammar is fun?! by Jean

Jean — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:48:54 +0000

It is good to know there is a tool out there that can get students engaged in learning grammar. As an English teacher, that was my favorite topic. I guess it is not at the top of the list for students.

Comment on Moments of intrigue by Jean

Jean — Fri, 07 May 2010 13:45:24 +0000

I am hopeful the English department will take a look at this opportunity in the other courses that we offer. I look forward to some interesting discussions.
Jean

Comment on What just happened? by Amy

Amy — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:24:29 +0000

I totally agree with you. It all goes back to something I remember Tom saying in CURRINS 510–a classroom where learning is taking place is not neccesarily a quiet classroom.

I’ve had other teachers poke their heads in my room and give that look like, “WHAT is going on in here?” But if their focused and engaged, I think it’s desireable for kids to be loud. It makes learning exciting and alive! They have SO much energy, so why not harness it? I think the best teachers do that, with deft control. I’m still tryin’ to get there… But isn’t it sad that students have that idea that [learning = silence] so throroughly ingrained in their minds?

Comment on A change in curriculum, a change in pedagogy by Amy

Amy — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 23:13:20 +0000

This sounds like an amazing unit, and if you’re ever willing to share/trade resources, I’d love to see what you do. I know that you are the QUEEN of reading workshop–something I have yet to master or even really explore at all.

I think it’s so great that you face your management issues head on by talking and communicating straight with your class. That’s such a scary thing for a teacher to do, but I think some of the most helpful teaching suggestions come from students rather than supervisors. (They are, after all, the ones who are sitting in our classes every day.)

I’ve dealt with the same exact burnout thing due to hatred of the required reading… it kind of makes me wonder what kinds of English students we would have if the entire year were driven by student choice…

Good luck! I know your students will love it.

Comment on Beyond the Classroom by Addie

Addie — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:54:12 +0000

Thank you for checking out my blog! Feel free to check out a couple of my students’ blogs. These were the students I nominated as “Top Blog Writers” for this past semester. I have really enjoyed incorporating blogs into my classroom. I think it has enhanced my students’ writing because they have garnered a deeper understanding of what it means to have an audience. Since their blogs are live, everyone and anyone can see them. The work is not for my eyes only anymore so there is a more intense pride factor involved.

Comment on Beyond the Classroom by Miss Raz

Miss Raz — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 02:26:59 +0000

Hi Addie!
I am a second year English teacher, and I stumbled across your website tonight. I am intrigued by your mention of “student blogs.” I was wondering how you incorporated blogs into your classroom and what the result has been? I’d love to hear your thoughts! Good luck to you as you begin the 2nd semester of your first year!
Miss Raz

Comment on Rediscovering a classic, maybe by Jean

Jean — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:52:06 +0000

I would ask that when you are looking for novels to teach students you are reflective on how you felt as you reread
To Kill a Mockingbird. Many students feel that same way and never engage in the text or are unable to read the text and make sense of it. We then lose our students and they just go through the motions without really benefitting from the experience.
Jean

Comment on Everyones a Critic by Jean

Jean — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:47:50 +0000

I am happy that the students got past the bashing and really put some serious work into the author’s work.
Jean