International Reading Association

The International Reading Association (IRA) is a professional association dedicated to helping teachers of reading understand and apply evidence based learning opportunities in the classroom. Their publication, "The Reading Teacher," is filled with focussed ideas to help classroom, as well as specialized reading teachers, help children develop their reading abilities. I would add that I first became a member of this organization when I was in college preparing to be a teacher. It provided me with incredible support and information as a student as well! So here is my personal plug for this great organization. If you are a teacher helping children to read better... JOIN NOW! (:http://www.reading.org/General/Membership.aspx

Reinforcing Positivity in the Classroom

The end of my first year of teaching has come. It has been a whirlwind. I have learned so much. Today I wanted to share my thoughts on how important it is to take time in the classroom to remind children (and ourselves) that there is so very much to be happy about! In this age of testing and classroom rigor, emphasizing the fun of life-long learning and indeed, of life life itself is crucial. Both teachers and students alike can easily be drowned in the pool of modern educational expectations. So to take time to find a song like Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" can provide the entire class a breath of fresh air during the day. In doing so we allow ourselves to be human and ultimately recharge and revitalize our resolve to press on in our studies. I found this to be true with my 1st grade students (6-7 year old kids) as well as with older kids. As a dear professor at St. Mary's College of Maryland once reminded me at the onset of the first Gulf War, "don't forget to smell the roses!" How true he was!

Over the past week I have spent many, many hours laboring and deliberating over my room. Until I got into the space with all of my "stuff" I had no idea how intense the task really was. I was provided with a blank canvas - all of the resources in the classroom, aside from the desks, was provided by "yours truly."

I am so thankful for the mentoring and learning opportunities I was provided at the UWM School of Education. The staff and curriculum really prepared me to understand the purpose of creating a classroom that offered the entire classroom community opportunities for growth and self-expression.

I had several goals at the onset. First, I wanted to create a classroom that the children could feel comfortable in and a space that provided the children I will teach with effective learning opportunities. Next, I needed a space that would provide much needed classroom management benefits, especially with me being a first year teacher. Last, I wanted a space that I could feel at home in; one that reflected my values but that was open or flexible enough to let the children also feel that it expressed their values and interests. I feel great about the results! I hope that the children will be excited as well!

I have to say that the Washington School of Comprehensive Literacy in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, my cooperating teacher specifically, and the school staff in general, truly inspired me and prepared me for this stage of my journey and beyond. Those months of 1st grade preparation were priceless and a true blessing. As well, the time I spent at the Sheboygan Early Learning Center really impacted my understanding of child development and developmentally appropriate practice. My cooperating teacher there was so patient and guided me through each day with incredible insights and mentoring.

Next stop, my first day of teaching!

The Next Phase of My Journey - A First Year Teacher

I am thrilled to be able to log my experiences as a first year teacher. I hope that the reflections help me to serve the children I teach better, as well as help others who may be in similar circumstances.

All the signals point to the first year of a teacher's career as potentially one of the most challenging to be faced. That being said, I am excited to tackle the experience head-on and enjoy each step of my journey, in spite of any roadblocks along the way!

The generosity of teachers, friends, and family members has been incredible as I begin to collect resources for my first classroom. Building my classroom library alone has been a challenge and I know will be a work-in-progress well into the school year and beyond. Every bit of floor space, nook, and shelving houses some resource for my classroom. I have a 5 foot tall stack of carpet square samples that a local carpet store donated me. I have a computer, oversized educational posters, and 7 crates full of childrens books. This is just the beginning of the list.

I was able to visit my classroom space which is currently undergoing construction. It is nearly a perfect square of a room with plenty of windows. It was exciting for me to see, in spite of the missing walls, outlets and the like! In a matter of 6 to 8 weeks I will be setting up the room. I have purchased a number of books to help me with that task. I will be using a "workshop" approach to facilitate teaching and learning which guides the set-up of our learning space. The books that guide my room set-up thus far are;

"First Grade in Photographs: A Thoughtful and Practical Guide for Managing and Teaching Literacy in the First Five Weeks and Throughout the Year" by Judy Lynch

"Keys to the Classroom: A Teacher's Guide to the First Month of School" by Carrol Moran

"The New Teacher Toolbox" (2nd Edition) by Scott Mandel

The "model" or format through which I will be facilitating teaching and learning using a workshop approach I studied and worked with during my student teaching in a 1st grade classroom called "Comprehensive Literacy." The books that guide this model are;

"Scaffolding Young Writers: A Writers' Workshop Approach" by Linda Dorn & Carla Soffos

"Apprenticeship in Literacy: Transitions Across Reading and Writing" by Linda Dorn, Cathy French, & Tammy Jones

"Teaching for Deep Comprehension: A Reading Workshop Approach" by Linda Dorn & Carla Soffos

"Shaping Literate Minds: Developing Self-Regulated Learners" by Linda Dorn & Carla Soffos

Of course my preparation at UWM was invaluable in providing me with an immense amount of knowledge and experiences that without would render these books powerless. Subcribing to one model alone is insufficient. Rather, using what I have learned in my academic preparations as the foundation for the model I will use to teach is what I strive for. Meeting the needs of every child requires endless adaptations that I look forward to journaling about as I experience them.

Classrooms On a Budget

In the Fall 2009 issue of "EDLINE" published by the UWM School of Education, I found an article about a teacher who upon getting his classroom found that even his commitment to spend his own money for supplies for his students and classroom was not enough. He discovered this website and through the sponsoring organization was able to get the supplies he needed... for free!

What a great resource and inspiring organization!

http://www.donorschoose.org/

National Academic Standards

Here is a resource that lists organizations that have created "National" academic standards in all content areas. While these are not "officially" recognized, these standards are a great resource to use in creating meaningful curricula. Some of these organizations and their statements were familiar to me, the NCTM standards for Mathematics, for example. Others were completely new to me. Very cool... interesting at the least! Check them out.

http://www.educationworld.com/standards/national/index.shtml

Bloom's Taxonomy Revised

This is the text that provides detailed information about the revised taxonomy of learning, teaching, and assessing. Below the textbook is a great, handy flip chart of Bloom's Cognitive levels of thinking to use in the classroom in order to help with instruction during the day.

Both are great resources! Enjoy!