August 22, 2007

• Topic: On conferences, and the Mets

  Today’s professional development at my school was on assessing students.  How do we know what our students know, and what they’ve learned?  Well…there’s many ways, including observations, tests, demonstrations, reflections journals, conversations and others.  A big part of teaching literacy this year will be my meeting with students one-on-one to discuss their reading.  Have they chosen books that they are capable of reading, that they comprehend, and that they are enjoying?  If a student is struggling with reading, why are they struggling?  Are they having a hard time with the language, with following the plot, with visualizing the story?  From that information, I then need to teach explicitly the skills that readers use to comprehend.  At least, that’s what I got from today session.

  My co-teacher, was in school early today with her significant other, setting up our classroom.  I am so greatful for this, as I lack a creative and organizational eye for decorating.  They turned a room full of boxes into beautifully decorated bulletin boards, that had the room glowing.  Many of our students come from dreary homes, and it is our hope that our classroom will be a warm and inviting place physically. 

  It was a successful 2nd day, and I’m really starting to feel comfortable with the idea that there is A LOT for me to learn about teaching, both about the science of teaching, and the infinite amount of content that can be brought into the classroom.  What I’m looking forward to is having a well-planned year where I am able to learn, and gain confidence in myself.  I have already taken on a bit of responsibility for my own success, and have been writing out a detailed script for the first week, that I have been sharing with the other 5th grade teachers.  I plan on doing A LOT of learning this year, and will hopefully have a celebration when summer ’08 comes around.

  After all that, I hopped on the F train up to 42nd street, met an old college buddy, hopped on the 7 train, and stuck out a cold and wet night at Shea.  We were rewarded as the Mets jumped ahead 4-1, fell behind 5-4, tied it 5-5, fell behind 6-5 in the 9th, and then won it 7-6 in the bottom of the 9th.  Let’s go Mets!

  • 12:47 am
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