So today I used the formulaic model that we are so apt to disregard in our C&I studies yet are forced to use in our jobs - mandated pedagogy - that's right folks, a one-size-fits-all approach to writing. It was ok, considering that the students are happy with a formula. However, I was reeling when I read the samples. I am going to have to write more about this in much detail after I correct the papers.
Today was a very tiring day. I don't know how I am going to get through this semester, so I take it day by day, tree by tree. If I intellectualize how busy I am with students, kids, home front, coursework, writing, etc, I think I will drop out of the program - can't do that.
Today was a great peer editing day. I had the kids go over their introductory paragraphs and edit them with their pair share using a lot of modeling. THey were still stumped but every one of them were engaged in trying to improve their work. They were also excited that someone was actually working on this with them - the element of stress at my site and the shame of "not knowing" was lifted from their little shoulders when I told them that I would review anything that wasn't clear to them and asked them in the "checking for understanding" way - having the students repeat what I stated in their own words. It worked.
The only thing is that one of my master tch is quite, uh, passive aggressive. She won't let me use an overhead because "it's too high tech" and when I do use it I have to fold it and put it away. She demands to stay in the classroom everyday and I don't mind except when she juts in and disagrees with something. That's just bad. So I had to be assertive and tell her that it might be better if she stayed out today. So she did. There's an ancient saying in my culture that says that (doesn't translate well) if you don't poop in front of someone who passes gas, they will say you have no rear. (A Euphemism but effective nonetheless) and so that's what I did, listened to my grandma and thanks nana, it worked.
However, we'll see how tomorrow is.
On top of that, my daughter is crying when I leave the house so I can't do lesson planning or anything related to sfsu until 8:30 pm when I am absolutely exhausted, and I still have to worry about buying formula at Target and making sure there are snacks ready for lunch-box day.
Model, model, model. That's the key with these kids. They love it. At first I thought it is too obvious and kids would use it as their own, and then I thought, crap, how the hell would I learn Chopin's Nocturnes if my teacher didn't play them for me before presenting the notes for me to practice? So, that is what i did and it works.
So exciting.
Let's see how next week goes. Time for a drink. Tea tonight, maybe a nice cotes du rhone later. I am thoroughly beat.
My husband gets a kick out of this because I used to belong to a pen club. Now I get to use them - correcting papers. I am pulling out my old fountain pens and filling them with red ink (brown ink too) and it's just nice to use a pen for once.
It's also nice to see that the students did well on the test. I know it's not very good to test, but it's needed and actually necessary at my site. It was on GIlgamesh and I pulled a few quotes (short answer) and elements of the Epic Hero Cycle. I'll write more later after I see the final grades.
I'm confused - you're posting in your comment section instead of on your blog. :-)
Now I know where to look!
Pen club? I want to belong to one. I'be been using the same style pen for about 13 years - it's a Pilot Precise - usually fine, not extra fine. I like blue and red. I occasionally end up with black, but try to avoid that. When someone loses one, I feel like I've found a $20. However, I would prefer a fountain pen. Over the years I have found flaws with my pen but just don't know where to begin to find a replacement. I wear it on my shirt, clipped over the collar, often tucked in my bra.
I didn't know you have a baby! I have a 22 month old. It certainly adds a lot of work to the full time work and part time school gig, eh? Does she sleep through the night yet? Mine just started about a week ago. No lie. I finally weaned all but one feeding.
I had that experience that you describe with modeling just recently. I'm a convert too. I have had much more successful results with getting the students to accomplish the goals I've set for them when I give them a text to model one or two times - even if that means that they copy it nearly word for word changing only details. And you know what? They like doing it! Because there writing is instantly better when they are working off of a model, they get immediate positive feedback.
What was the test? Can you give specific examples of what you are covering in class - texts, assignments, etc?
6 comments:
So today I used the formulaic model that we are so apt to disregard in our C&I studies yet are forced to use in our jobs - mandated pedagogy - that's right folks, a one-size-fits-all approach to writing. It was ok, considering that the students are happy with a formula. However, I was reeling when I read the samples.
I am going to have to write more about this in much detail after I correct the papers.
Today was a very tiring day. I don't know how I am going to get through this semester, so I take it day by day, tree by tree. If I intellectualize how busy I am with students, kids, home front, coursework, writing, etc, I think I will drop out of the program - can't do that.
Today was a great peer editing day. I had the kids go over their introductory paragraphs and edit them with their pair share using a lot of modeling. THey were still stumped but every one of them were engaged in trying to improve their work. They were also excited that someone was actually working on this with them - the element of stress at my site and the shame of "not knowing" was lifted from their little shoulders when I told them that I would review anything that wasn't clear to them and asked them in the "checking for understanding" way - having the students repeat what I stated in their own words. It worked.
The only thing is that one of my master tch is quite, uh, passive aggressive. She won't let me use an overhead because "it's too high tech" and when I do use it I have to fold it and put it away. She demands to stay in the classroom everyday and I don't mind except when she juts in and disagrees with something. That's just bad. So I had to be assertive and tell her that it might be better if she stayed out today. So she did. There's an ancient saying in my culture that says that (doesn't translate well) if you don't poop in front of someone who passes gas, they will say you have no rear. (A Euphemism but effective nonetheless) and so that's what I did, listened to my grandma and thanks nana, it worked.
However, we'll see how tomorrow is.
On top of that, my daughter is crying when I leave the house so I can't do lesson planning or anything related to sfsu until 8:30 pm when I am absolutely exhausted, and I still have to worry about buying formula at Target and making sure there are snacks ready for lunch-box day.
So much for pedagogy.
Model, model, model. That's the key with these kids. They love it. At first I thought it is too obvious and kids would use it as their own, and then I thought, crap, how the hell would I learn Chopin's Nocturnes if my teacher didn't play them for me before presenting the notes for me to practice? So, that is what i did and it works.
So exciting.
Let's see how next week goes. Time for a drink. Tea tonight, maybe a nice cotes du rhone later. I am thoroughly beat.
I LOVE PENS!
My husband gets a kick out of this because I used to belong to a pen club. Now I get to use them - correcting papers. I am pulling out my old fountain pens and filling them with red ink (brown ink too) and it's just nice to use a pen for once.
It's also nice to see that the students did well on the test. I know it's not very good to test, but it's needed and actually necessary at my site. It was on GIlgamesh and I pulled a few quotes (short answer) and elements of the Epic Hero Cycle. I'll write more later after I see the final grades.
I'm confused - you're posting in your comment section instead of on your blog. :-)
Now I know where to look!
Pen club? I want to belong to one. I'be been using the same style pen for about 13 years - it's a Pilot Precise - usually fine, not extra fine. I like blue and red. I occasionally end up with black, but try to avoid that. When someone loses one, I feel like I've found a $20. However, I would prefer a fountain pen. Over the years I have found flaws with my pen but just don't know where to begin to find a replacement. I wear it on my shirt, clipped over the collar, often tucked in my bra.
I didn't know you have a baby! I have a 22 month old. It certainly adds a lot of work to the full time work and part time school gig, eh? Does she sleep through the night yet? Mine just started about a week ago. No lie. I finally weaned all but one feeding.
I had that experience that you describe with modeling just recently. I'm a convert too. I have had much more successful results with getting the students to accomplish the goals I've set for them when I give them a text to model one or two times - even if that means that they copy it nearly word for word changing only details. And you know what? They like doing it! Because there writing is instantly better when they are working off of a model, they get immediate positive feedback.
What was the test? Can you give specific examples of what you are covering in class - texts, assignments, etc?
Looking forward to reading more.
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