Course Strands
Communication: I feel that the communication in class
so far has been good. Frances has been a very good communicator. She gives us a good update via email after every
class. She also makes sure to pass along any extra information. If I have a question I know I can ask Frances.
I have been communicating with my students the best way I can. I am trying to make connections with them by tuning into
their interests. So far all my students are participating so I think that is a good sign. I also continue to email
the teacher Kelly to let her know what my upcoming agenda is. I feel at this point my communication with Frances, my
students, and Kelly are good.
Research/content: I continue to look on the internet for
genres and literary elements. I have used some of the items that are on our course blog. That has been a great
resource. I have also looked at other websites as well.
Technology: Technology has been a great help in all my
work. I use the internet quite a bit - whether it is looking at websites or trying to find books in the library.
Our webpages are a prime example of the technology we are using in our class. I hope to some how incorporate the use
of the laptops that the Tibbetts students have into my lesson sometime soon.
Collaboration: In our last class session (March 9), my
group of students collaborated in using the poetry circle method. All of my students actually participated, even one
that I have a hard time keeping him involved because he says he is tired. Anyway, I felt really good about the
effort they put into our session. I look forward to hearing their actual poems.
Five Dimensions of Learning
Confidence and Independence (understanding)
At this point in the class I feel that my confidence in teaching poetry is low. I have
not worked with poetry so intensly, so I feel like I am learning right along with the students. I do need some more
work with my lesson plans. I'm just not sure about the purpose of our meetings with the Tibbetts students other than
getting them to write how they feel through poetry.
Skills and Strategies (Practice)
My skills and strategies are really weak right now. I am getting the students to write
poetry in their journals. I think last weeks lesson (March 9) was very helpful. I felt like there was at least
some sort of structure. I am trying to get the hang of poetry lessons while keeping the students interested. It
is a challenge, but with continued practice I will get it. I feel like I got off to a rocky start and now I hope to
smooth it all out.
Knowledge Content(Practice)
Well, I have definitely dusted off the cobwebs in the literary elements department and learned
a few new things about genre. I am getting to know the genres a little better, but still need lots of practice at it.
The poetry slam is very new to me. What I like about the kind of poetry that we are writing is that it is real.
These poems become our autobiographies in a sense. I still have so much to learn and I hope that by the end of the semester
I will come way with so much more knowledge about poetry.
Use of Prior and Emerging Experience (Understanding)
Before this class I had very little experience with poetry and children's literature.
Of course I have read children's books, but never focusing on genre. The type of genre chosen can be a great connector
to a lesson. Again, I am still learning right along with the students and I hope to have a better report at the end
of the semester.
Critical Reflection (Understanding, Practice, Professional Identity)
I am reflective after each class period. When I am trying to come up with activites
for our session together I reflect on our last class to see what went well and what I could do better.
Midterm Evaluation
In terms of my grade, I am a little behind on my webpage. I am doing my best to get
it caught up. I feel like I have had a slow start. For now I would give myself a B. That might be a little
generous, but I will definitely lift that grade.
I am going to keep working out the kinks in my poetry lessons and work on getting my webpage
caught up.
This concludes my midterm. I hope that it reflects that I am a work in progress and
I hope to develop better teaching skills is poetry.
