What Have We Tackled?

Wow, I can’t believe how long it has been since I wrote my last blog post! I was in Florida a couple of weeks ago, for spring break, and it’s difficult getting back into the groove of things. I am not going to lie and say that while I was at the beach I was thinking about literacy, but I have had the last week back at school to channel my thoughts in the right direction. This post, specifically, is supposed to discuss a major topic (or theme) that we have discussed in our Literacy Learning and Teaching III class. Strangely, I think that this blog assignment is the most difficult one that I have to write because we have read and discussed so many important ideas so far. How can I just choose something to narrow in on when I find so many areas useful for my future career?

Before break, I was a group leader for my small discussion group. We focused our conversation around chapters 1-4 of Carl Anderson’s Assessing Writers textbook. A lot of what Anderson talks about ties into my core beliefs in education (such as taking the time to really get to know your students). For example, he discusses the value of assessing writers everyday, which I will definitely want to include:

-It allows teachers to get to know their students (their strengths and needs) as writers.

-Helps us create individual learning plans/mini-lessons

-Makes sure that we modify our teaching to students’ needs in writing conferences.

-Also helps educators create units that we should all work on as a class

“Assessment gets to the heart of teaching and lets us decide how and when to offer support as writers (pg 66)”.

Another big idea from the textbook that aligns with my beliefs is the idea of getting students to become initiators of writing! I have always stated that not only do I want to create meaningful lessons that touch on students’ interests, but I also hope to get students to love learning! When it comes to writing, I want my students to be initiators of writing which, according to Anderson, means they:

-Find writing to be meaningful

-Write for many purposes

-Have a range of genres they write about

-Write for real audiences

Since the beginning of the semester, we have tackled so many strategies (involving reading and writing) that will be incorporated into our future classrooms. We have discussed ideas such as what our rooms will be like, conducting over the shoulder miscue analysis/read alouds, teaching for understanding and engagement, effective reading and writing strategies, writing assessments, etc. With all of the valuable information it is important to remember the “self” in all of this. In Debbie Millers, Teaching With Intention, we learn the importance of defining your own teaching beliefs and aligning them with your lesson plans and practices. As we have discussed in a large group in class, all of the researched based strategies and ideas that we are given in college will mean very little if we do not think of our own beliefs first. If I do not stick to my guns on what I consider important in regards to literacy and teaching, I may see myself making mistakes.

Thanks for reading!