"Mr. Teddy Bear" Literacy Activity

During my fieldwork in a 2nd grade classroom, my cooperating teacher engaged in this wonderful literacy activity. Each child got a night with Mr. Teddy Bear. The child would take the bear and notebook home with them and write about their evening and what they did together. The writing samples were then used in the assessment process for literacy skills.

The kids loved it! Even those kids who were growing near the end of Teddy Bear days loved it just from the silliness of it all. And most importantly it got the kids writing! What a great idea to do with kids.

As well, this idea provides us with a springboard for other ideas. A class book: "The Journeys of Mr. Teddy?" Individual books extending kids ideas and adventures with Mr. Teddy? A book writing series with other animals... Mrs. Aligator... Mr. Robot? The possibilities are endless.

Classroom Environment - Environmental Print

It has not taken me long to see the powerful connection to the classroom environment and successful learning and teaching. Like any adult, kids need a work place that is both functional (actually assists with and/or teaches content itself) and that is welcoming and warm.

It seems that the two can often clash, especially when considering how much actual "plastic" is in the classroom. When all is said and done, it would take a great deal of money and work just to rid a dramatic play center of all plastic. That is not my battle to fight, at least not for the moment.

However, the amount of plastic that I see on walls is stunning. Namely, plastic coated... well, you name it! Maps, calendars, letters, numbers, charts of all kinds! This, I have decided is my battle.

Well, more like a place I want to work on.

I am so very privileged and fortunate to have a wonderful mother-in-law who has supported my dreams in this regard. She is a master quilter and she has crafted an entire set of wall hanging quilts with educational models on them. They are beautiful, warm, and inviting, and serve the same purposes as those laminated equivalents for children's learning. Something as simple as adding a quilt into a classroom can create an atmosphere that says to children "this is your place, make yourself at home."

I will continue my quest to find ways to combat lamination on walls. Until then, here is one great idea! Thanks mom!

UWM Urban Forum 2009 - What can we do?

Now that the dust has settled and many of us have listened to Dr. Loewen speak, where do we even begin. I have not yet read the books, but I have known and heard the title "Lies My Teacher Told Me." I always assumed that the book was probably pretty aggressive in identifying specific misnomers regarding facts taught in school. What I did not realize or even begin to consider is the fact that WE are products of those lies, and that WE (many of us anyway) continue them without even knowing it.

For example, I was one who voted for "States Rights" as the main cause of secession. I was embarrassed. But more importantly, I was stunned. Stunned that most of us there thought the same was true. This proves to me that the need for reflective practice and continuing professional development throughout our careers is vital. It begs the question, what other nonsense are WE going to teach our students?

See the 2009 UWM Urban forum Part-1 on the Internet! Click on this link:

Note: You will need Apple Quick Time Player... it takes a moment to start once you click on the link. Enjoy!

http://www4.uwm.edu/soe/departments/outreach/urban_forum/urban_forum_video.cfm

Dr. Loewen's Website:

http://sundown.afro.illinois.edu/

Fieldwork 2009 Lesson Plan #1

Today I finished my first lesson plan with the kids in my 2nd Grade "SAGE" classroom. It was a tough, more likely 3rd or 4th grade math lesson using leaves to create patterns AND art.

The results were fantastic. Heart-warming, really. As can be expected, there was a wide range of knowledge displayed in the work completed. However, all of the students really gave it their best shot, and in the end created work that they can reflect upon for some time, and surely be proud of.

Critique: Once again I had extreme trouble managing time. I planned for a lesson that would span over one hour. The lesson lasted 4 hours (thanks to a gracious, forgiving, and understanding teacher) and over two work days. Was it worth the effort and time? For sure!!!

But the lesson, while I thought to be pretty straight forward, was not. At almost every turn there was a delay; something not plannned, something akin to SNAFU, and something to do with a student teacher not watching the clock.