The Lost Joys of Childhood and My True Ambition

I don't care how old I get; I will never grow tired of hearing someone read to me. Nor will reading books geared toward children be boring. Even now as a college student, I sometimes go to library for the express purpose of sitting in the floor of the children's section and reading the "little kid" books. I mean, come on, they have big colorful illustrations on every page. How anyone can resist that is beyond me. I think it's one of those lost joys like splashing in puddles, swinging, coloring pictures, or playing with play-d'oh. All of which I will still admit to doing without a hint of shame, but I think a lot of grown-ups don't view these as sensible or productive things...and grown-ups are all about sensibility and productivity. They forget what it feels like to curl up next to someone on the couch, and listen to them read a story with all the funny character voices and animation. They must. If they remembered, it would be a national pastime; I'm sure. For example, you would see employees on break at work snuggling with there bosses...OK creepy thought, but, in essence, the world would be a happier place if we all took the time to rediscover these "lost joys".
OK all that to say that in class, our teacher is reading a chapter book aloud to us titled Sahara Special. Fifth grader Sahara has so far proven to be exactly that. Her father has left, and her mom raises her alone. As to be expected, Sahara misses her father and grieves by writing him letters. But one day the letters fall out of her desk and get confiscated. Along with a historically poor performance level in class, the letters land her in Special Ed with Darrell Sikes. That is until her mother finds out and pulls her from the program. No child of hers is going to be seen with "problem child" Darrell Sikes. Sahara's best friend in the entire world is her cousin Rachel. They have thus far been an inseparable duo, but now Rachel is starting to fall under the influences of popular girl, Cordelia Carbuncle. And one interest Rachel doesn't share with Sahara is reading. So one Saturday, while Sahara is sitting by herself at the library, she meets a girl her age named Paris..."the girl, not the city". She daydreams about her and Paris becoming best friends, but the next Saturday is disappointed to find out that Paris brings another girl to the library with her and they are planning to cook together.
So far that's all I know, but it's been an excellent read in my opinion. I encourage you to check it out. I'll try not to include too much here in my posts to ruin it for you. I do hope Sahara and Paris become friends. I doesn't seem like her father is going to come back though I think we all would hope this for her. I think she'll continue to write him, and I think that's healthy for her. I hope her school performance improves as well, and that the teacher or someone will take the time to see and heal the hurt behind the lack of good grades.
O, I forgot, Sahara's "true ambition" is to become a writer. Shh! don't tell anyone she's only told Rachel, but on the inside scoop she is writing her story, Heart-Wrenching Life Story and Amazing Adventures, and it's hidden behind the 940 section at the library behind the books "all the books about faraway places".

My True Ambition...to be a teacher who help girls and boys like Sahara.
See ya next time around!

Melissa

Clearing Up the Misconceptions

So we discussed the basics of language arts last class. My preconceived notions about language arts are similar to the average American I suppose-reading and writing, maybe a little grammar and spelling every now and then. I was surprised to learn that there are six language arts (LA) in total. The second two LA, I think we all take for granted-talking and listening. We associate listening with hearing...so why teach that? And everyone knows how to talk. As a LA teacher, one is not necessarily teaching the skill as much as how to appropriately and effectively apply the skill in various situations. The two most unfamiliar to me were the viewing and visually representing. I had never considered looking at something like a movie part of the language experience, but after discussing them in class I find it an interesting concept.

This may concern some parents because of the increasing amount of screen time children in our generation are exposed to. However, whether we as teachers condone it or not, it is happening. I think by including the two visual components in LA, we allow ourselves the opportunity to teach children to critically think about and critique everything that they watch. Also, we can impress upon them that they shouldn't believe everything as fact just because it is presented to them. We should encourage them to question and think deeply, so they aren't just blindly influenced by things.

For me, especially now as a math major, visual representation is a key component in my math classes. I challenge any current math teachers, to try to go through one class of a skill lecture without writing problems on the board. Any examples, instructions, and work needing to be shown must be done verbally. I guarantee you it will be one of the most confusing math classes your students ever sit through! Being able to visually represent problems on the board is 85% of the class. Unfortunately, reading textbooks has also become a huge factor in my student career. Teachers no longer spoon feed me with auditory lectures that I can listen to and learn what is important. I now have to read comprehensively to extract ideas and important concepts in order to do well in my classes.

As I progress on to be a math teacher, visual representation is going to remain important in my classes. Talking will become major also, which hasn't necessarily been my favorite LA up to this point in life. Talking with my friends is no challenge whatsoever...but in the classroom, talking turns into a whole other animal. I need to master academic language so I can be effective at getting my point across while not being too lofty that my students don't understand. I need to project and hold a caring dominant tone in my voice in order to maintain structure in my classroom while nurturing positive relationships with my students. I also need to figure out a balance of when and when not to talk because I don't want to be the "sage on the stage", but "the guide on the side".

WOW! I'm going to end things here before I get too overwhelmed this time. But thanks for checking in, and I hope I given you some things to think about. Be back soon.



Melissa

Semester Premier!

Hey everyone,
Welcome to my blog! Thanks for stopping by and I hope you find whatever you've come for. I am new to this whole blogging thing so please bear with me. This is actually a class project for me, but I think I'll find more enjoyment in it than that. I'm not sure who exactly would take interest in hearing my thoughts and opinions, but regardless I get the indulgence of sharing them.
Just a little intro about me. I am a student at Meredith College pursuing my BA in Mathematics with a middle grade licensure concentrated in math. I am also working on a minor in Dance as well. I plan on graduating in Spring of 2011. I want to teach math in middle school and possibly lower high school levels after I graduate, particularly in schools that serve large populations of at-risk students. I know...I know...why math? why middle school? and why at-risk students? Above any other reasons because I'm swinging for the fences. I believe that I serve a powerful God; and through Him, even in the most challenging situations, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE. After that, math because it was my favorite subject in school, middle school because I feel as though that is the level at which I can make the most profound impact in my students' lives which is more important to me than them loving math, and at-risk students because of the blessings that I have been given in my life growing up, I have a real desire to help those children who have not been as fortunate.
I have centered my education around my passions-children, helping others, and dancing. I'm excited about working with children for a career. They have a more unadulterated view of the world and are more carefree. My mom is the most caring giving person I know and I have inherited the tiniest portion of her servant's heart to the point that it I probably receive more joy doing than the people I serve experience by receiving. And dancing is my release. Some people write, some beat up punching bags, I dance. Whenever, wherever, as much as I can get away with.
That's a little about me and my heart. I'm sure plenty more will come out during this endeavor, but I wouldn't want to overwhelm you with everything at once. I want you to come back after all. Thanks for reading!

Melissa