Tutoring Summary # 2

Yesterday was my second tutoring session. I really enjoyed working with her. She is always enthusiastic when it comes to working on her math, even though she struggles a little with subtraction at this point in time. We worked on her summer reading question:

"The main character in your FICTION story is very important; but many times there is another character in the story who is also important to that main character and the story itself.

• Choose a character who is NOT the main character and explain why he/she is important to the story. 
• Write about how this story might be different if this character was not included in the book."

To me, it seems a bit hard for an almost third grader to grasp, but we did our best. I had her answer some questions about it. We can worry about putting it all together soon. We read through the one new non-fiction book on Christopher Columbus but we did not get to read the new fiction book-The Puppy Who Wanted a Boy. She will work on those for next week. 

She said something really profound yesterday:

"It doesn't matter what others think of you, it only matters what you think of yourself."

It's something I have to keep in mind as I keep going on through the weeks ahead. =)

Tutoring Summary # 1

About 3 weeks ago I was at the school I did my student teaching in. I stopped by my co-op's classroom to say hello. During our conversation, she offered me a tutoring position with one of the student's I had taught. The mother had asked for a tutor to help her daughter stay on reading level throughout the summer. I was very excited for the opportunity and jumped at it. I spoke with the mother and with my co-op to gather ideas of what to focus on during our sessions.

On Monday, July 1, 2013 I had my first tutoring session. It lasted 2 hours. We focused on math and reading.  I will also do some writing with her.

Before we began learning I showed and explained all that I had for her. She has a writing journal in which I would like for her to write in daily. It can be a letter to me, a story she makes up or a description of what she has done during the day. I showed her the reading folder she has, her homework folder and her reading journal too.  Then I gave her the option of whether to start with math or reading.

When she said math, I was able to assess where she needs the most help. I gave her two timed math fact pre-tests. These were only using the numbers 1-10. The first one was an addition paper. The second one was a subtraction paper. After that I gave her another “pre-test” with a variety of math topics learned in 2^nd grade, such as time, money, and comparing numbers/fractions. 

We then did some reading. She picked out a book for summer reading. I also picked out a non-fiction book for her to read. It was a biography on Harriet Tubman. Then we read another fiction book called Jamaica's Find. We also worked on some sight words. It was a great time and I am excited to see her progress. =)

 

Summer Professional Development #1- Project Learning Tree

This is really delayed and I apologize for that. Life gets very crazy.

On Saturday, June 8, 2013 I attended a workshop hosted by the Meadowlands Environmental Center. This workshop focused on ways to engage students in environmental education and was provided by the organization Project Learning Tree. This workshop provided me with a great curriculum guide for grades K-8. The guide has several broad topics that lessons are separated into. Each lesson tells me what grade level, time constraints, materials, etc. are needed to run the lesson. They also give us suggestions of related lessons, similar to the one we are looking at.

We not only looked through and understood the book but we participated in a few of the activities ourselves.  We examined different kinds of soil and then predicted how the soil would lay-soil, sand, clay, etc. One of the other activities talked about creating an ideal community-making sure there were resources available, housing, schools, etc. That was my favorite activity. I felt I could relate it to the NASA real time data lessons some colleagues created during the summer last year.

It was a great experience and I am excited to try and implement some of these lessons when I have a classroom of my own.

The Curriculum Guide

Using my iPad to take notes and looking through the Appendixes of the book.

Attempting to paint splatter a cottonwood tree leaf.

My dirt sample.

Playing a "jeopardy" search game.

Teachers Summer Reading

I have always enjoyed reading during the summertime. I would always read books on the summer reading lists, even the ones above my grade level. I felt it would make me smarter, but I really just wanted to read numerous novels.

That same idea of reading during the summer has continued into my educational career. I am always looking for new books to read so my knowledge of the craft can improve. I have a long list of books that I hope to read in this category. I just bought one yesterday at the book fair at one of the Elementary Schools. It is called 75 Reading Strategies: Boost Achievement and Build a Life-Long Love of Reading by Danny Brassell.

What books do you read to keep in touch with the educational field?

Classroom Libraries

I am SO excited for my own classroom one day. I enjoy looking at books for my own room. I fully believe in having a GREAT classroom library. Today while I was subbing, I stopped by the Scholastic Book Fair. I picked up several new books for my classroom library.

1. When I Grow Up by Al Yankovic
2. Pete the Cat Rocking In My School Shoes by Eric Litwin
3. No Jumping on the Bed by Todd Arnold
4. Twinke, Twinkle Little Star by Jane Cabrera
5. Meet the Monsters by Billy Wrecks
6. Pinkalicious Fairy House by Victoria Kann

The new books for my collection. =)

Check out my board on pinterest for my wish list of books- http://pinterest.com/mstamer790/classroom-library/

I am very excited to have my 1st Pinkalicious book for my classroom library! 

AVPDS -A Very Professional Development Summer

Every summer since I started college I have had a "productive" summer. I worked, took classes, and spent my time wisely. I was excited for a summer off---until I realized that I am NOT the kind of person who can sit around and do nothing all day long. I have to be productive. So, what better way to be productive than enjoy professional development and grow in that way? 

I have to admit I am awfully exited for all of the PD I'll be attending. At times, I'll have a conference or workshop every day and other times I'll have something one a week. I will be updating my blog after each experience. 

As of 5/26/13:

• 7/8 SMART Board Basics @ Kean
• 7/15-7/18 Writer's Workshop @ Rider
• 7/22 All Things Google @ Stockton
• 7/31 EdCamp STEAM @ Linwood Middle School
• 8/8 Common Core Conference @ Kean
• 8/12 EdCamp Leadership @ Kean
• 8/15, 8/19-21 SMART Board Certification @ Kean
• 8/22 TeachMeetNJ 2013 @ Stockton

It's going to be AVPDS!!

Use the hashtags #summerPD13 and tell me what you'll be doing this summer. =)

Job Portfolios

The Teaching Portfolio is something that is always talked about in college, and even after. Several questions come to mind: (1) What should go into a portfolio? (2) How much is too much? (3) Is this important? After careful consideration, I've come to realize that the portfolio is IMPORTANT, even if it is just for your own sanity.

Start with investing in a good binder. I got one of those art porfolios from ACMoore. I actually had to get two because my first one, with 24 pages was not enough. I had to get another one with 48 pages in it to help me hold all of my materials. You can even decorate it however you want. I kept it professional yet "cutesy".

Then make sure you have a cover page. I found this adorable stationary at Staples and use it as my cover pages for each of the sections in my portfolio. 

What are some things to have inside your portfolio??

1. Copies of your resume and reference sheet. I also have another sheet that expands on my awards and volunteer experiences. 

2. Copies of your transcripts and teaching certifications. 

3. Next would be copies of all of your recommendation letters.

4. After that, I have copies of other certifications and some professional development certifications. I also include my PRAXIS scores. You never know who wants a copy of them at an interview.  

I know have a separate binder just for my professional development certifications. It's an easier way to keep track of how many hours I accumulate throughout the year. 

How do you organize your portfolio?