Module 5

       When students were able to work on the computer, the video stated that they were able to explore a variety of language concepts. I really enjoyed watching the students work together to form antonyms. I feel as though students are able to learn a lot when they are paired together. Most of the lessons that are taught in my classroom are hands on lessons just as the video discussed. When I compeleted lessons on homophones throughout my student teaching, I allowed students to work together to create a sentence with the homophones and then allowed them to draw a picture to go with the sentence.

       Whole group instruction, working with small flexible groups, as well as working with individual children are all important aspects to an effective literacy program. The video discussed other strategies to use in the classroom while you are working with a small group of students. Luckily in the classroom that I work in, there are two other teachers due to the teacher ratio to students that is required at my private school. Students are only working alone for a twenty five minute window throughout the school day. This will change if I were to work in a public school system. It is very important during small group time to have explicit instruction that is related to the curriculum and benefiting students in a positive direction. One of the most important aspects that I walked away with was making sure that students are not completing busy work during the center.

       I love the idea of a book that gives you over 300 pictures of different classrooms and how they are set up. I am constantly looking up pictures online on different ideas on how to set up your class. With the book providing before and after pages, it gives teachers a more realistic look into how you can transform your classroom to meet the needs of your students. When I have a classroom of my own, I am going to take the books idea of placing sticky notes on different areas of a classroom whiteboard plan in order to gather different ideas. I am definitely going to read this book in order to gather more ideas on how to plan an effective classroom.

        I have never seen a talking word wall used in a classroom. I love the idea of placing this on the bulletin board in order for students to reference throughout the school day. Not only is this great for students to hear the word several times throughout the day, but it allows the students to avoid constantly interrupting the teacher.