I Did It!

I ran my first marathon on October 13, 2012! I still can't believe I ran 26.2 miles. I loved every minute of it. Seriously, it was the best feeling in the world! 

Why would I or anyone for that matter run 26.2 miles? Good question! 

It wasn’t my idea, it was actually my sister-in-law's idea. She wanted to run a marathon before she turned 40 and who better to convince to do it with her then my sister, Erin and I. (haha) We ran 5k races before and have been running half marathons together for quite some time but never did we think, well, I think, I could run a marathon. But sometimes things are just meant to be and this was one of those times...

The timing of it all couldn't have been better if it was planned. My sister and I just finished a half marathon in Cheshire - It was a great race and we both were feeling strong and confident about running. When Lisa, my sister-in-law cornered us both her kitchen, she excitedly said, “I was thinking” pause, “wouldn’t it be awesome if we ran a marathon!?” “umm, Yeah, I said it would be! but, why would anyone want to ran 26.2 miles? It sounds like torture!” I said half jokingly and half seriously. Erin was quick to say “yes, let’s do it!” “We have to do it!” Looking towards me they both could sense my hesitation. 

I was really, really, really very reluctant about a marathon, what if I couldn't do it physically?  What if my knees gave out (I have bad knees) or I got injured so badly that I could never run again? and running for 4 hours straight- is just crazy. But after listening to reasons that Lisa and Erin gave me- in the end I agreed! “Ok, let’s do it! I’m in!” After all,  I didn't want to let down my sister or Lisa but more importantly I didn’t want to let myself down for not trying to run it. 

Bring on the training! Training for a marathon requires a lot of perseverance and determination.  We followed an intense training schedule, which lasted  for 3 long months. I had to run even when I didn’t want to. I had to make training for a marathon a priority. It took a lot of time and planning. Following the training is what made us strong, physically and mentally fit to run 26.2 miles. 

I'm so glad that I didn't let my fears of not being able to run 26.2 miles get the best of me, because in the end, it was all worth it. I learned something through it all too -sometimes trying something for the first time can be scary, but with the right attitude, a plan and a lot of motivation- the results just might surprise you.. in a very good way!  

Writer's Workshop For Preschoolers

This week in my Design for Curriculum class we read an article called "Documenting Children's Play Stories to Enhance Learning".The article connected preschoolers to Writer's Workshop.  The article stated young children need to think about themselves as authors. It really stuck with me because I had never heard anyone refer to such young children as authors. Preschoolers are still practicing writing their names, authors? hardly, I thought. However, I learned writing is much more than just putting a pencil to paper and creating sentences. Writing has many components, as the teacher in the article pointed out. Writing consists of thoughts, feeling and actions. That is when the light bulb went off in my head! Preschoolers have all of that! They are creative, imaginative and curious. They are perfect for creating stories!

The teacher observed and documented children playing in the dramatic area. There were 3 children working together to fix a ship that was surrounded by shark infested water. She wrote word for word what they were saying and doing. Afterwards she put the 'story' into a class book including illustrations from the children. This was very exciting for the children! They all wanted to 'write stories!'  It was contagious. 

The teacher was right- children are authors. They had the components of a story-  characters, plot, and setting. It was amazing to me to think of children creating their very own stories. This teacher was able to connect literacy in a meaningful way to the children. I love the idea about teaching young children to think of themselves as authors because in reality they really are and so good  at too! It is so natural for them, nothing is forced.  It just happens, like we were suppose to all along write their stories. As a perspective teacher, I can't wait to document young children's stories!

Collaborative Learning

Being in a classroom where children are activity involved in their learning is refreshing and exhilarating! To me, collaborative learning is the heart of creating the ideal environment for the teacher, students and for developing a strong sense of community within the classroom. Children are naturally social and curious, and when guided in the right direction this is very beneficial to their learning.   

There are many different ways to use collaborative learning in the classroom, during social studies, language arts and even during math. As children work together in small groups they practice being good listeners, speaking kindly to one another, and problem solving. Children learn from one another. They develop self-confidence and learn how to respect different perspectives. Research shows when children work together they have higher academic achievement. 

I think collaborative learning is well worth the effort of planning lessons, setting up classroom materials and creating a support of environment where all children feel safe and cared for.  As a future teacher, I definitely plan on creating a variety of activities for my students to work together. What makes collaborative learning so great is it can done in all grades, even preschool. Everyone benefits from engaging in a meaningful curriculum! 

Reader's Workshop

This may sound strange, but I seriously get all giddy inside thinking about starting Reader's Workshop. I have read so many blogs about teachers starting "Daily 5" that it makes me want to go to Staples, get chart paper, book boxes and journals! And Start a classroom!  

You see Daily 5 is a literacy program developed by Gail Boushey and Joan Moser. They are teachers and coincidentally  sisters too! I just love, love everything they do. The literacy block begins with a mini lesson. Mini lessons range from how to get started in a center to reading comprehension strategies.  During the literacy block, five activities or centers are taking place. They are read to self, read to someone, listen to reading, working on writing, and spelling/word work. Children are given the choice to decide what activity they will work on. During the course of the week, the children will go to every center. Centers usually last anywhere from 20-30 minutes. Depending on the day, there are usually three rounds of rotation. Children have a lot of independence and choice in this type of teaching. Which might worry some. But this system works - I saw it when I was a paraprofessional and I was mesmerized! It works because the teacher spends a lot of time in the first couple of weeks of school going over the appropriate behaviors.  The teacher models and reviews what "good readers" do over and over again. Through practice and repetition the children develop good habits and learn what their 'job' is during the centers. 

Daily 5 uses a lot of chart paper to write down important information regarding particular centers and are showcased around the room.  Children can refer to these charts if they need to be reminded of a strategy, or a word. For example, during read to a partner, children should sit close to each other,  use a whisper voice and take turns reading. Children are busy working in their centers therefore, this is a good time for teachers to pull reading groups or conference with students.

There are so many wonderful things about Daily 5. Children are actively engaged in their work -they have ownership and pride. Children want to read, write in their journals, independently read and read with a partner. They get excited when they have something meaningful to share and when their work is valued. This system creates the foundation for active learning and engaging children to do what they love. It encourages children to read and write and enjoy the process as well. 

Taking the time in the beginning of the year to instruct and model expected behaviors  benefits the children, the teacher and creates a community within the classroom- it really pays off.  Reader's Workshop becomes part of the daily routine and children look forward to having it everyday. I will definitely be implementing Reader's Workshop in my classroom!

Teachers Who Make A Difference

My experience as a paraprofessional has really given me such wonderful opportunities to work directly with children and teachers. As a future teacher, I would often find myself observing teachers while sitting in their classrooms.  I wanted to know everything about running a classroom and teaching children. I wanted to learn ways to be organized in things like morning routines and developing lessons and centers. I worked with many teachers- all very different from each other.  But there was one classroom that I always loved going into.  

You see, walking into a classroom can tell you many things about a teacher and his/her students. Sometimes it just feels "right"- children are engaged and participating and the teacher and her students look happy to be there.  It always felt so good to be in her classroom.  Her teaching style was so inspiring and motivating to me but also to the children. Her lessons were well thought out and organized. Children wanted to please her, they wanted to learn and they worked hard at their work.  She was positive and enthusiastic- she made learning fun- she had little ways of getting the kids to "wake-up" and get involved in her lessons. She would do "brain gym" exercises, listen to music or sometimes if the children remembered something really tricky she would do a cartwheel- this really got the kids attention!  She was caring, smart and funny. She never complained about her students, even the challenging ones. She did just the opposite, she always looked for ways to stay positive and praised her students for doing good. She made every student feel special!

Being a teacher is more than just teaching children to learn math, reading, and writing. This teacher made such a lasting impression on me because to me she represents what all teachers should be- a role model for students. She was intelligent, organized, had high expectations for her students but she also had a great personality that was reflected in her classroom and to her students. I hope my classroom will reflect the same great qualities!

Memories of Language Arts...

So here we are....Let's talk about language arts.  When I was young, reading and writing was something I did not enjoy. I would go as far as to say I dreaded it. Reading was difficult for me, from decoding words, comprehension to writing. So it goes with out saying- I didn't find enjoyment in reading.  It was embarrassing when I couldn't pronounce a word with a 'r' or 's' in them, or when I had to retell parts of a story I literally just heard but couldn't even remember the character names. 

Today, I can spend hours reading a good book.  I can understand text better and even can say words with a 'r' or 's' in them! (But still every now and then I fumble the pronunciation and yes it's still embarrassing!)  I learned somethings do get better with time, practice, patience and hard work. - like reading.  Although I have had difficulties in the past with language arts I believe it will make me a better teacher to students who struggle who need that extra bit of help.  I think I can relate to them and even reassure them that in time with practice, patient, and a little bit of hard work they too will find language arts a deeply satisfying and rewarding experience.