Fieldnotes Blog #1

For K-2 students I taught a lesson that focused on the position words (in, on, over, under, beside). Although this is a Kindergarten skill, all my students needed the review and I incorporated some advanced writing for the 2nd grader. The materials for the lesson were provided through the curriculum and included a poster, sight word cards, and leveled reader. All students had the opportunity to speak, write, and listen.

I feel that my classroom is very inviting for students. It is bright and full of games that children want to play (even though they might be learning while they play). Because we are like a small family that comes together every afternoon, I am not sure that my students would be as welcoming to a new student. They really like to have me all to themselves and what we do is "secret"!!!!!!

2011-2012 School Year

As expected, I have 7 ESL students every afternoon. Tomorrow we will make blueberry muffins to go with If You Give a Moose a Muffin.  Today, we read the story and discussed where the ingredients come from. On Friday, we will use pictures to sequence the steps of making muffins and then do some writing. Students have never been more engaged in the lesson. Can't wait until we cook something else.

One Month!!!

I only have one more month until school resumes. I am expecting to have about 7 ESL students for the last hour each day.

I am really excited to return with the new teaching methods that I have learned through YOED 6020. I am most excited to use the anticipation guide. I thought it was simple to create and can be used as a pre and post assessment (which will look great for the new evaluation system).

My Goal for 2011-2012: Cook with my students once a month (I've been planning my recipes)

Evaluating ESL Reading Materials

In the past, if I wanted to select a book for my students, I went to the shelf and pulled off something that I thought would interest the students and that I could make a graphic organizer for and ask some higher order thinking questions about.

Now, with Dr. Craig's evaluation rubric, I have an idea of what to look for within each story I select. By evaluating the vocabulary, discussion questions, metacognitive activities, and illustrations,I can determine whether a book is appropriate for my students. Never before had I thought about using literature to build academic vocabulary (CALP) along with social vocabulary (BICS).

By selecting the appropriate materials and promoting literacy, we give our students the skills they need to be successful in the regular classroom, home, and other social settings.

YOED 6020

I am starting this blog as part of my Reading, Writing, and Learning Methods for ESL course at MTSU. I am currently teaching the ESL (English as a Second Language) class at Blanche in the afternoons, when the Pre-K students leave. I undertook this extra teaching assignment at the request of the school administration, trying to meet state requirements that ESL students have one hour of specilized instruction daily. Although I am still apprehensive about what to do with my students, I have come to enjoy them. I am anxious to work through this methods class and learn new techniques to use in the classroom.