Four major strands of work:

Communication:  It has been a semester full of constant communication.  This semester we all had the privilege of working with students on a family story.  The practicum work included plenty of communication between us and our students.  We also communicated amongst our classmates and Frances during class about what was working and not working.  There was even more communication during the publication process of our anthology.  Yes communication was an important factor all around.

Research:  We most certainly did our share of research as well during the semester.  Our research was mainly of ourselves if that makes any sense at all.  We had to really look at our lives and what is or was in it that would make a great family story.  We had to dig deep to remember those wonderful moments we wanted to share with our peers.  We also had to demonstrate to our students how to do research.  As writing coaches we had to encourage our students to dig deep inside themselves (research) to remember that spectacular family story they would like to share with us and their fellow classmates.  Also, the process of getting the anthology ready  required a little research too.  We used last semesters anthology as a reference.  We had to research all the students' names along with their coaches to make sure they were paired correctly and spelled correctly.

Technology:  Everything we did this semester involved technology.  When we communicated we used technology (e-mail).  When we did our work we used technology through our webpages.  We used the computers to type up our family stories.  Technology was in full use for us this semester.

Collaboration:  We collaborated every class period.  We would come to class and discuss our sessions with our students on their family stories.  We collaborated with our students when we were not in class.  We also did collaboration during the writing conference of our family stories.

Five dimensions of learning: 

Confidence and independence:  I do have more confidence with working with students.  Going through the writing process was helpful for me.  It helped me to see what things could work well and what things that could be different.  I especially had the feeling of strong independence due to the fact that I worked with Northeast students on my own.  There were time where I felt left out because everyone was experiencing Apache school together.  That is alright though because I was able to hear some great feedback.

Knowledge content:  We didn't work with our text very much this semester other that the readings and notes.  Do I feel like my knowledge of linguisically diverse students has improved?  Some.  The readings were helpful, but there really wasn't the full affect of examining this subject.  I feel like I got to know the writing process well.  However, as far as working with linguistically diverse students, I have a lot more to learn.  I will use my book as a reference often.

Skills and strategies:  Well, I used my previous skills and backgroung knowledge of the writing process to help my students brainstorm and eventually write their family stories.  My strategies were to use a web or four square as a base for their stories.  Then we would take those ideas and turn them into a brilliant story. 

Use of prior and emerging experience:  I used my prior experience of working with students in other practicum work to work with the students this semester.  You have to get to know you students' strengths and needs.  Once you know those you can feed off of those strengths and needs to make things easier and less stressful for your students. 

Reflectiveness:  I was fortunate enough to work with two very bright students.  However, that won't always be the case.  I know there will be many times where I will face challenges of learning disabled students, gifted students, and so forth.  I will use my prior experiences as a guide as to what works and what doen't.  Also, I have learned that it is important to be flexible.  We are here to teach our students in any way we can.  If our students suceed then we suceed.

Final Evaluation

     This semester has been a whirlwind of adventure.  We were able to work with Vickie Bruno on our sign language.  Even though we didn't learn everything there is to know about sign language, we learned enough to know how to communicate in some way with a hearing impaired student.  Vickie was very informative and is a great resource for the future. 

     I got to experience the story telling festival.  I though it was very encouraging and couragous for all those students to get up in front of all their peers and tell a story.  I know that I will go back next year to see the returners blossoming and the new comers opening up to a whole new world. 

     Last, but certainly not least, the writing process with my 3rd grade students.  I enjoyed grooming my students along in the writing process.  It was a pleasure to see the final outcome of their stories.  Working on my own story was a challenge for me.  I was more excited to work with my students on their own stories.  However, it was great practice on my own writing.  The whole experience made me realize I need a bit more practice on writing skills.  That is alright though because I am a work in progress.

It is difficult to evaluate myself in terms of a grade because naturally I want to say give me an A.  I feel like I did my part in the class and did what was asked of me.  I learned from what I did and I reflected.  I hope you feel that my work was worthy of an A.