Welcome to my Spring Semester 2016 Blog. I started this for one specific class, Ed-LLCY 440 (Content Area Literacy Instruction) but I've decided I might as well potentially include other classes. Kind of an experiment, and largely for my own use, but I figured it might be a nice place to compile and record this semester for the sake of austerity. And it is a chance to apply and refresh some recently learned technology skills. Here is a quick video intro:
In addition to the guiding and stuff, I've also substitute taught (2 years) and worked as a behavioral interventionist. This semester I will be participating in the ED-SPEC 250 field experience, and I will be substituting again on Fridays. I would recommend subbing to anyone who is thinking about or is planning to be a teacher.
Response to Chapter 1
I'm not through it all the way yet, but I've liked what I've read so far. My six-year old wasn't what you would call an early reader, and it has been an interesting and challenging process to get him reading as a first-grader. My memory of learning to read almost pre-dates any memory--I know I learned at home and entered first grade as "advanced" (for my age) as a reader--and I loved it. It was a little disappointing that my son didn't follow that same path, but I've learned a lot about him (and probably many future students) through my observations of him.
What struck me in the intro was the emphasis on "reading to learn." I remember wanting to learn things and this inspired me to want to read--it was a means to end, not the end itself. Every time I tried to get my son interested in reading, he turned me away. I suspected that what he really needed was the same feeling of interest in learning about some specific content through reading as he had for other things.
And that has been the key with Gus--he's had to want to learn to read for his very personal reasons, and with him it took time for us--and him--to figure those out. I think the first real significant thing he read was the sign for the Bat-Eared Fox at the Boise Zoo. I tried various book series out, but the ah-ha moment didn't come until he got his own set of books (Lego City Phonics) through his Scholastic Book Order. And just last night he was extremely pleased when he was able to type in "Lego Police" on the iPad to successfully search for toys he yearns for. The key thing for me to remember is that he is on his own journey. I can help him learn to walk, but I can't hold his hand and choose his path for him. (I can occasionally point off to a mountain in the distance and muse "I wonder how we could get over there."
Wally, Gus, and me
Wally, my wife, and Gus
Gus trying to be as excited by Star Wars toys at the
library as I was.
An Idaho shaped blueberry pancake, which
was going to be the metaphorical topic of a
brilliant poston immigration that I never wrote.
