All things must come to an End...

Teaching creates all other professions.  ~Author Unknown

We have completed all our activities for ED644 and I have signed my Addendum, and submitted a copy to Dr. Rivera via Ms. Anita at SOE.  I was glad for Lorna G. she provided the cake, the last thing I needed not to worry about.  I provided a pizza snack and some drinks, also a handout for the parent to take with her.  I was kind of disappointed in myself on the week of our Family Literacy Celebration, how I was sick with the flu.  Regardless, I got it done, managed to get a banner and make a movie made with with movie maker.  My file was too big to send via email, so I saved it onto a disk for Dr. Rivera's review.  I am glad this semester is over, although I think I am really going to miss the hectic schedule I had this semester.  I had my full-time job, teaching two classes and one at GCC.  I hope the next semesters will not be as hectic.  Hopefully, I am going to be able to give up something after I have finished my Master's degree.  

I would like to take this opportunity to give a big THANK YOU to Dr. Rivera for her constant guidance, and encouragement, advisement, counselling, etc.  I don't think I would have made it far without her guidance.  I know in the future I am going to be keeping in contact with her as she has proven to be an invaluable support for me throughout my Master's program.  It was an interesting semester, as I have taken two intensive courses, with much work, and to top it all off I had to take the Praxis II Exam-Reading Specialist.  I was especially excited to actually take the exam, because now I know what to expect.  But the preparation, most especially the time leading up to t he actual exam was terrifying, the waiting was what I dreaded the most.  Now what I am dreading is finding out my score.  I hope I did well enough so I do not have to repeat the exam again.  We'll see...and begin to pray...

Image Taken From: http://paulhastings0.blogspot.com/2009/03/end.html

Quote Taken From: http://www.quotegarden.com/teachers.html 

The Seventh Session...

"Your role as a leader is even more important than you might imagine. You have the power to help people become winners." --Ken Blanchard

The session went rather smoothly. We worked for only an hour, because my knee was hurting, and I just needed some rest. In any case, we have accomplished much during our session. B.M. has been improving so much. I keep reminding him that he knows, he just needs to be reminded. Many times when prompted he is able to recall the events. Sometimes he also says, "I knew that." I noticed that when I administered the expository story “The Octopus” B.M. had much to say about the story. He had mentioned to me that they are studying that at school, and in reading class they had read all about the octopus. It was interesting because B.M. usually does not do well on the expository stories, but he said since he read about it in reading class, he knows a lot.

I also mentioned to C.M. that next week, since they are going to be on Easter Break, she doesn’t need to bring B.M. to our session. We will meet again on the 12^th of April. I’m wondering if this will be our last session. Because the following week I am going to be starting to draft up my case report addendum. I am also going to be preparing many things for our Literacy Celebration. When Dr. Rivera returns we will be discussing the calendar in more detail.

When we were finished with our session C.M. came in to the room, and we discussed how we are going to be having the "Celebration." While we were discussing, B.M. was writing on the white board. I thought it was cute, and I noticed it only when I was cleaning up and securing the room. I took a picture of it....and it is my image for my posting today.

Quote Taken from: http://ripplemaker.hubpages.com/hub/50_Inspirational_Quotes_for_Teachers

The Sixth Session...

"Don't limit yourself. Many people limit themselves to what they think they can do. You can go as far as your mind lets you. What you believe, you can achieve." -- Mary Kay Ash

Today's session started off on a good note, I was able to look at the calendar of events, and then start a rough draft of the Midterm Self-Reflection. What I did was take the calendar of events, and write down what I have accomplished, and what still needs to be done. Now all I need to do is reflect on what needs more attention, and get an idea of how I am going to organize my time. I know that time is of the essence, and I do need to start some of the activities, especially planning out some of the Family Literacy Celebrations which will take place towards the end of the semester. As I was going through the midterm self-reflection reminder, emailed by Dr. Rivera, I couldn't help but stumble over the last task. We are supposed to assess our work, and assign ourselves a grade. I was sharing with Dr. Rivera that, I think this is the most difficult task. We are our worst critics, and I know for one, I am most definitely hard on myself. As a teacher, having to assign grades is what I hate the most, because I believe all students learn regardless of what their letter grades dictate. Improvement has been made throughout the course of learning, and to assign an appropriate grade is somewhat a struggle. What is the determining factor of intelligence? What is the determining factor of learning? Just something to think about.

Later in the session we were joined by one of Dr. Rivera's students from another class. It was very helpful and encouraging to know, and finally make connections with others whom have gone through the program. They were discussing some of their course work, and I was able to contribute a little to their discussions. It was nice to hear another perspective. I look forward to our future meetings.

Image Taken From: http://evolvingelle.wordpress.com/2011/05/22/my-sunday-a-time-for-self-reflection/

Quote Taken From: http://ripplemaker.hubpages.com/hub/50_Inspirational_Quotes_for_Teachers

The Fifth Session...

"In education it isn't how much you have committed to memory or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don't. It's knowing where to go to find out what you need to know and it's knowing how to use the information you get." --William Feather

Today's session was all for me! Although B.M. wasn't able to make it for our session today, we did have a productive one. I was able to go over the important events and tasks that need to be completed soon. I was able to make a to do list, and to really plan out the semester, before midterms. I was able to sign up for the Praxis II Exam-Reading Specialist. Hopefully, I am able to study well enough to pass the exam in April. (Keep our fingers crossed) I discussed the future graduate classes I must complete in order to become a reading specialist. Overall, the session we had today, was very productive, and I am forever grateful I have the support and encouragement of Dr. Rivera. My main concern now is the Praxis II---being able to make it with a passing score. I will most definitely study for that exam.

Quote Taken From: http://ripplemaker.hubpages.com/hub/50_Inspirational_Quotes_for_Teachers

Image Taken From: http://footfeathers.blogspot.com/2011/12/race-calendar-planning-baby-sized-race.html

The Fourth Session...

It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and there is strength.
-- Maya Angelou

Our session went well, but I've noticed that B.M. would enjoy that break after the first hour, to walk about and stretch, which I think is greatly needed. During our session, what I mainly focus on is Retelling Strategies, as I feel B.M. has the most difficulty "retelling" the story. For future sessions, when B.M. is present I am going to implement the spelling strategies I have learned. I have had many successes with him, which is evident in the QRI-5. I have administered Level 4, and our next session I am going to administer Level 5. I have noticed though, that B.M. remembered the QRI-5 from last semester. Especially the narrative stories, the expository stories he doesn't do that well with, I'm assuming he is more of a story/adventurous type person, so he pays attention more to those types of stories.

Although B.M. will not be present for the next few sessions I am going to look forward to those sessions as it will be my time to "catch up" with all my work I need to, most especially my case report! I feel as though this semester is more intense, the practicum (ED644) has many activities we focus on. Last semester, it was simply a focus on the student, using the QRI-5, blogging, and a parent interview. This semester, it is focusing on the student, with tutorial sessions, using the QRI-5 again, bloging, Parental/family involvement, Literacy Celebration, with PowerPoints and making brochures etc...needless to say, I enjoy it, and I am looking forward to our celebration, even though I am the only, lonely, one. ;-) It should be interesting, It will be interesting!

Quote Taken From: http://www.betterworld.net/quotes/literacy-quotes.htm

Image Taken From: http://secnyspousesclub.blogspot.com/2010/11/literacy-day-2010.html

The Third Session...

I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework. ~Lily Tomlin as "Edith Ann"

I thought of this quote, today as we began our session when I arrived, B.M. was reading a book he borrowed from his school's library. Coincidentally, it is a book I am required to read. I thought it was interesting because I'm beginning to wonder if he was assigned to read that book or did he obtain that book on his own accord while his class was at the library? Did he go to the library during his lunch break? So many questions ran through my mind as he clutched the book with interest, to read. In any case, is it homework? To Read? It made me think of homework when I was in elementary. We were never given books to read, I remember reading on my own, by the encouragement of my eldest sister. The only homework I ever remember doing were worksheets.

Anyways, we're getting through our book, and I think I caught B.M.'s interest when I mentioned there is a fight scene in the book. His prediction strategy was right on task, a strategy I haven't really implemented yet. Maybe it could be a strategy I will take more into depth for the next chapter of our book. We worked on Retelling/Reviewing the chapters we went over. I'm beginning to find out that B.M. works best when given cues to discuss more about the book. We also had a Journaling prompt, with a worksheet provided.

The QRI-5 administered he is doing such a great job on, I only hope that it continues on. I'm wondering, I know last semester I stopped on Level 4, as that was his frustration level, I'm wondering though if he no longer has that level as his frustration level do I continue administering on to level 5, even though I did not administer it last semester? In any case, he is doing such a wonderful job this semester with the QRIs! I am happy with his improvement.

Quote Taken From: http://www.quotegarden.com/teachers.html

Image Taken From: http://www.readingkingdom.com/blog/2011/07/07/recommended-reading-for-kids-island-of-the-blue-dolphins/

The Second Session...

“The greatest gift is a passion for reading.”

- Elizabeth Hardwick

Our second session was started with a 15 minute walk! Which was good in a way, to get the blood flowing to the brain! Now I know, when rushing out of the office I must/need to double check if I have everything I need for session.

At our session we tried the retelling strategy. We also began the QRI-5. I started with Level 2, and I was glad to know that B.M. was on task. I compared last semester's score sheet with what he did in our session, and it was reassuring, that he had improved! I am already noticing improvement in my student! Which is exactly what I want. The more we read the better! I'm curious to find out now if the next level will be the same, filled with improvement! Exciting things are happening!

Quote Taken From: http://www.readfaster.com/readingquotes.asp

Image Taken From: http://icanread.tumblr.com/page/22

The First Day Again....

"Once children learn how to learn, nothing is going to narrow their mind. The essence of teaching is to make learning contagious, to have one idea spark another." -- Marva Collins

After the first day when we went over the Diagnostic Case Report with the parent and syllabus with Dr. Rivera, we have now begun our regular sessions. So it is the First Day Again, meeting with my student who has shown much receptiveness to what I have planned this semester. I noticed that this semester, my student is more responsive to telling me a story. I had planned four activities with my student and he had completed all four! He was very quick to complete all of the lessons I had planned for him, we had some extra time on our hands. I’ve also come to notice that spelling is an issue with him, so I will definitely invoke all of the spelling strategies I have learned in ED645. The book I am going to focus on this semester is Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell. I am going to focus on that book, and plan all of my lessons/sessions around that book. I guess at this point my main concern is the QRI. Is it too soon to start the QRI? I know that the QRI is a lot of work, and I will probably need the time. But when I think about it, we should start the QRI as soon as possible.

Picture Taken from: http://ertutor.com/test_prep.html

Quote Taken from: http://ripplemaker.hubpages.com/hub/50_Inspirational_Quotes_for_Teachers

Back to work again...

"Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own." -- Nikos Kazantzakis

The Spring 2012 semester has begun! Made it through the first week of classes, between work, school. I need to know which way I am going, whether it is to work or to school, as both of my environments are similar. Things are very hectic, as always, I hope to be prepared with what this semester brings. I was very glad to have met with my parent to discuss what we went through last semester with her child, and what we are going to be going through this semester. She seemed very receptive to what I was showing her, and she was happy to be provided with a copy. I look forward to working with my student this semester. I look forward to all the work we are going to accomplish, in the end it will feel exactly like that, accomplished, I hope.

I was very glad I sat down to talk with Dr. Rivera, we went over the syllabus, even though I am the only one in the course this semester. I was glad to finally have an idea and to really discuss what I am going to be doing this semester! It was very helpful, as I was sitting there, taking in all the information I was finally beginning to feel like I have so many ideas. I have soo many things I want to do this semester, I hope I can get through them all. I hope it works, and I hope my student improves his reading level.

Now at this point, I just need to really have excellent time management, and I really need to set my goals. I will definitely take the weekends into consideration as my time to "catch up" with everything I am going through the week. Good Luck to me!

Quote taken from: http://ripplemaker.hubpages.com/hub/50_Inspirational_Quotes_for_Teachers

Picture taken from: http://hr.ucsb.edu/worklife/