Mis-Cues...So what are these really all about???

When conducting my mis-cue analysis, I was paired with a very unique 2^nd grader named Gretchen. She was a sweet girl who was eager to show me how well she can read. I later found out that Gretchen’s teacher is working to create an IEP for her because she is concerned that her reading level is dropping too significantly. The book that Gretchen selected to read was titled Munch! Muncha! Muncha! She was very excited to read this because she thought the title was silly!
The process of conducting the mis-cue went very smoothly. I can see how this tool can really tell me as a teacher how to direct instruction to a student. But then the question I need help with is what do you do with ALL these students with ALL these differing needs? Are we really meeting their needs sufficiently merely by have a few different leveled reading groups? I learned that students want to learn the material. They want to feel encouraged to complete their reading. I feel that one thing I took away is that regardless of how they performed it is essential to find something to compliment the student on. Another thing I took away form this is how to identify what parts of reading is a student struggling with. Are they skipping words? Mispronouncing words? And most importantly do these mis-cues alter the meaning that the author intended.

When looking at the mis-cues that is reader made, I learned that many of them did not alter the meaning of the content of the book. I believe this is not a horrible thing, because then we need to work on seeing words and working slowly through a text. At times, I felt that Gretchen was very rushed and skipping filler words that she should have said. I also learned that she made some mis-cues that needed to be discussed immediately. When a book builds on repition, I felt that I would be not giving Gretchen the full experience of the book if I did not help her break down a mis-cue.
I believe to help this reader grow I need to help her slow down as a reader and not worry as deeply about keeping a consistent fluency. Gretchen also needs to pay attention to each word on a page. Perhaps a strategy such as using a notecard while reading would really help her. Paying attention to one line at a time will narrow her focus.

I enjoyed taking this analysis of Gretchen’s reading. While analyzing her data, I really could narrow down what she needs as a reader. One thing I am left wondering about, is what to do when you have you have many different needs for readers? How else do we differentiate out instruction other than having leveled reading groups.

Overall, I am excited about this way of analyzing students. I can’t wait to see them grow even more as readers and see their scores improve!! J  

Learning Spaces and Places

A teacher's classroom is a tool that is waiting to be utilized by young learners. What are my beliefs on my classroom environment? I believe everything in my classroom needs to have a purpose. Everything from wall decorations, classroom layout, and classroom resources needs to help facilitate learning to my students.

Starting with classroom arrangement, I believe having a flourishing library needs to be one of the vocal points of a classroom. A library full of rich literature at various reading levels can be a resource that will help students get hooked on reading at a young age. I believe a library can be useful if it is located in close proximity to a reading table. As a teacher is teaching a reading lesson to a small group it can be very valuable to have literature in physical reach. She can reference different authors and enrich student learning by making these connections. Organizing a library can be challenging, one thing that can assist a teacher is her students. They are the ones using the libraries anyway! They are the ones that is needs to make sense to! We need their input (Miller 40). 

Along with a rich library, I believe having an area in the classroom for students to sit on a rug and be comfortable can be useful to alter the learning environment. This can serve as a flexible learning area that can be used for whole group learning, comfy individual learning, and collaborative group space. Having space, can open so many doors for teachers! Just mix things up sometimes! Even taking it as far as moving your classroom. If applicable why not go outside and teach a lesson? Take field trips as often as you can! And make connections with the real world whenever possible!

Another thing I am excited to incorporate into my classroom is CHANGE! I want to mix up how desks are formatted? Can I make a "U", a circle, pods? If doing some type of simulation... is it possible to make the desks emulate this? I believe making these changes is a way of making the classroom more authentic. Miller states that creating this authentic environment is a way to create literate and purposeful environments!

The walls of my classroom need to be a snapshot into their learning. Much of the learning and thinking has to be made visible, public, and permanent (Miller 39). I believe in having students show their personal work on the walls. This can be a tremendous way to motivate and encourage students. The thought that THIS writing piece is going to line the walls for all classmates and instructors to see can be the extra nudge to help a student become excited to complete an assignment. Although it may appear bare, that’s how it should be! (Miller 42). You must know that that bare feeling will be transitioned into a warm environment of student work! I believe their needs to be something on the wall that are not actually made but the students but these messages need to be some sort of resources to the students. It needs to be useful. It needs to relevant. It needs to be used everyday!

Creating a classroom environment that is interative and changes is what engages students. For example, counting the days of school, having some marking on the wall is exciting and engaging because it changes everyday! Seeing a goal chart get closer to achieving the goal is motivation for students. Students what to be part of something that is changing!

Finally doing some small things that make the classroom feel warm make a huge difference in the long run! Little things such as getting lamps, table clothes, etc.… Miller suggest help make students feel more at home! These differences help students because they may be in a situation where they do not have a warm and cozy home. School must be a time that they feel welcome. They must feel that they belong. 

My Beliefs as a Teacher--

Meaningful learning is relevant learning: One of the things that I believe students may struggle with is being motivated to learn. The best type of motivation is to be intrinsically motivated where you want to do something purely because one has the desire. My goal as in instructor is facilitate learning in a way that is relevant to them. A way that is real and applicable to something greater in the world then their next day’s assignment. This is challenging but is something I strongly believe it.  Whether it is putting a writing piece in the school newspaper, connecting what we are learning to something happening in the world, or simply discussing current events; there are countless teachable moments that take place everyday in a classroom that can easily be shaped into rich learning for students.

Provide a quality classroom environment and culture: Classroom culture is something that effects quality of teaching. A classroom environment should be a place where all students feel valued and respected by the teacher and by fellow students. Once a teacher has accomplished this they will have created an open environment where students are not afraid to take risks. They will be able to freely communicate and trust their classmates and teacher to respect their beliefs. Students come with a different home life and this has to be something that the teacher takes into consideration with their instruction. One of the best things I believe a teacher can do is create an environment in his or her classroom that takes away these barriers to further enrich the child. 

Display enthusiasm and passion for what we teach: What would school be like if the teacher did not show devotion to their work? Students would not be motivated to their best every single day (Miller 17). Teachers need to be modeling behavior that they would like to see in their students. I am not saying teachers need to be over the top about teaching, but they do need to emphasize the importance and desire they have to mold the minds of many students. Teachers have been graced with an ability to touch many lives and be an ongoing example, however this cannot happen if teachers to show their enthusiasm and passion for teaching.

All students can learn: Every class is granted with students with differing ability levels. A teacher needs to be the engine behind her classroom. She needs to help the students and provide the students with the tools they need to learn. It is challenging to scaffold students in a way that facilitates a learning experience for all students, but this is the teacher’s job. She needs to believe in the students and have faith that with the right instruction they will make gains academically. Without the teachers belief in the students the students will not learn anything. I believe that is the teachers task to work with colleagues, parents, and administrators to learn how they learn best and then create this environment for the student.

Students need love, support, and boundaries: With these three things students will be successful learners. Love and support go hand in hand and often times start with home life. There is a huge difference between students in a stable home versus an unstable home. This can certainly mark an advantage for certain students. Love and support can start with having someone check in and devout time to a child to help in their success in school. Students who do not have the advantage of having this life at home need to feel the love and support in the school setting. They need to feel welcome, comfortable and happy in their learning environment. The teacher needs to create a place where students like to be and feels appreciated. Students can also support students by challenging and helping them academically. This goes along with providing differentiated instruction depending on where the student is. I believe the teacher needs to meet the student where he or she is and find a way to push them as learners. Finally boundaries are ground rules or guidelines that the teacher creates to help students. School is a place where students need to learn discipline and develop good habits as young members of our society and I believe this can be achieved by creating boundaries.

Flexibility: This is one thing that is going to be extremely challenging for as a new teacher. I believe be flexible as a teacher is one of the most useful things that can allow students be learn in a classroom that is relevant. It is important for teachers to have a plan and objectives for a lesson, but often times the best learning experiences come from something that is not scripted (Miller 17). Sometimes as a teacher things happen that can not be expected but all I believe you can do is roll with the punches and create the best learning environment for students and sometimes that involves going off the planned scripted lesson. 

Welcome to Teach for Bliss

Here we go! Blogging for the first time, yet can not wait to see how this tool will help guide me through my schooling and ultimately my teaching career. I am an excited 22 year old who can not wait to start working in a classroom. I am finishing up my last year at the University of Iowa and will soon be on my way to become an educator.

I have been imagining myself as a teacher since I was roughly 10 years old. Although it started with playing "school" with friends and neighbors, this gradually turned into pursuing my education to be an elementary school teacher. I am specializing in language arts and reading and can only hope to impact students the way many of my teachers left a lasting impression on me.

I have 3 energetic, full of life brothers and 2 parents that have shaped me into the person I am today. Without this support system I would be lost! We grew up a very active family playing every sport imaginable, although spending a significant amount of time playing soccer.

I believe growing up in this lifestyle has lead me to another thing I am very passionate about: health. My minor here at University of Iowa is Health Promotion. I have a strong belief in the importance of living a healthy lifestyle in physical activity and healthy eating and look to promote this with the students I encounter.

This blog will serve as a tool to discuss elements of teaching practice- any joys, speedbumps, "aha" moments, frustrations, and much much more . I welcome your input and feedback as part of this narrative of teaching and learning.