Vocal and Fluency

This chapter was my favorite chapter so far because it really taught me a lot. I have learned in the past that repetition really helped remember vocab cards and made you a more fluent reader but this chapter confirmed it. Whenever I learn a new word, it does not matter if it is in a language class, history class or science class I always make flashcards. I put the word on one side and the definition on the other and I memorize it. I read through these cards repeatedly until I know the definition. After I know the definition I try and apply it in context. This is very similar to what this chapter is talking about. It says that you’re supposed to pick out key vocab words as a teacher for your students to learn the definition and be able to put it into context. Vocabulary is very important and you never stop learning, even at the age of 21 I am still learning new vocabulary!

I have seen many of these examples from the chapter in real life situations. For example, I have seen the vocab definitions and drawings. I observed in a second grade classroom and during this time they were learning a series of vocab words. They would put the word on a piece of paper and draw a picture of the word under it so they could remember the meaning of the word. This was very beneficial because the kids were able to interpret the words anyway they felt best with their own specific pictures. Another strategy from the chapter that I have witnessed in the same classroom was the reader’s theater. This helps the student’s fluency in reading. When I watched this in the classroom it seemed to help a lot of the students read out loud in a non-stressful way. Each of the students each had a character and they were able to pre-read their parts before starting the story. They were also all able to count how many parts they had to reach which helped calm the nerves.

One part to this chapter that I was not really a fan of was the virtual field trips. Field trips where you are able to go to the historical landmark, museum, beach, marsh, art exhibit, etc, were always the best. I always looked forward for the days that we got to leave the classroom and school for the day to learn about something new. I think that these virtual field trips can be great but only for the benefit of learning about a place that you cannot physically field trip to as a class. The cost of the field trip should not matter if the children are getting a better physical experience!

Creating Classroom Community and Connecting with Families

This chapter was a very important chapter. It was all about getting your students engaged in a way that is super creative and fun! I think that using VoiceThread is a great idea because it can give each of the students their own voices. After making my own VoiceThread I was able to share some of my own experiences and tell my story. I chose to post pictures of a trip to St Thomas that I took with my sisters. I did this because it was a trip that could be shared easily by photographs. By being able to see pictures of the trip along with the story description helped share the experience on a greater level. In my opinion, using pictures to explain really helps the audience understand.

            I really like the idea of modeling how to use VoiceThread to students before having them use it. From trying to figure out it by experience it is a little tricky. It is very important for teachers to model step by step what they want their students to do. This still leaves room for the student to explore the website but also helps the confusion.

            I like the table on page 31 that helps teacher communicate with language that is important to building a community in a classroom. The way you approach your students is key and as teachers, we want to let them know that we are engaged. After reading some of the examples I have noticed that I have observed teachers that use this language in the classroom and how their students have reacted. If you are flexible and you notice what the student is trying to achieve you will most likely have a positive outcome.

            I have had some experience with this as well at my job. I work as a swim instructor for young children. I work mostly with the preschoolers that are ages 3-5. When working with these kids I need to use the positive teacher talk. For example, I will ask them to show me how they kick on their backs and then give them feedback. Sometimes I will say “Wow I did not know you could swim that fast!” (which is identity). Or I will ask them how did they move their legs so fast (which is strategic), or lastly I will say something like “ok now that we have done that, who thinks they can kick like that on their bellies” (which is flexibility and transfer). I have learned that teacher talk is important and you need to have patience with the children to use this talk.

            Lastly, I think it is very important to keep the parents involved in their children’s learning in the classroom. By using sites such as blogs and Voicethread, the parents are not only being able to see what their children are learning but they can also see what their children’s classmates are learning. This is a great opportunity to have their children make friends with other students with similar interests.