Language Expert in Training

As a youngster way back in the day, I walked 14 miles barefoot in the snow with a ten pound book bag on my back just to get to school in the morning...ok, no I didn't, but I know you've been told a story like that once in your life by a grandparent or someone from the olden days. I always am a little distracted during these stories, unfortunately. All that runs through my mind as I'm sitting there is "Now as much as I appreciate your heroicness in the pursuit of an education, why would anyone in there right mind walk barefoot in the snow? Who's idea was that?" ...but I digress.
What I really wanted to share today was my experience with writing/reading workshops, literature circles, and thematic units. In elementary school, second grade specifically I remember writing a book of stories in class. I don't remember whether or not we went through all the steps of the writing process but I do remember making a final publshed folder. In fourth grade I remember outlining and drafting book reports and in fifth grade we wrote our first research paper ever! I really was not that enthused about it at the time, but I am glad I was put through the torture because it has definitely prepared me well for college writing.
Reader workshops weren't so preavlent though. I remember going through reading groups in early elementary and shared reading in upper elementary; but read alouds, independent reading time, and buddy reading escape my memory. We never did Literature Circles in grade school which is a cryin' shame because those would have been fun. However, I did get to participate in my very first literature circle as a 20 year old college student a couple years ago and my professor now reads aloud to us every week. So, thank you, Meredith College, for filling in the missing gaps of my childhood!
Now a little homily about thematic units (another Meredith first time experience).
I am in love with the idea of a well planned thematic unit. Last semester in Teaching in the Middle School with Dr. Roberts, I had the opportunity of studying what one looked like, and the privilege of creating my own in a group. I find them to be such a useful tool in making classroom learning applicable and relevant to real world situations. And through cross-curriculum learning we are helping students make strong connections that lead to deeper understanding. Students with deeper understanding of course material...music to a true teacher's ear ;) On that note, I am going to make a swift exit before I begin to weep. Enjoy the rest of your day!

Ciao,
Melissa