Blog # 1.....Reflections

This was most definitely a week of quick learning! Beginning with reviewing the six languages arts and learning how I can incorporate them into my teaching. I learned that two of the languages are oral, two are written and two are visual (listening, talking, reading, writing, viewing and visually representing). Knowing in order to be an effective teacher, which I intend to be, I must intergrate and use ALL SIX DAILY has caused a sudden urgency to stay focused. I re-read the three chapters and tried to remember lessons I taught as a substitute teacher. Did those lessons utilize all 6 languages? Listening seems easy enough...students will listen to stories aesthetically (for enjoyment) or efferently (for information). they will listen to the given strategies and I will monitor for comprehension. Okay now talking...again the student will talk for both enjoyment and information reasons. They will read their oral reports and have book discussions. This can also be done through Reader's Threater. Reading...this is a strategic process and the goal is comprehension! There are 5 didferent types of reading: independent, shared, guided, buddy, and read alouds. Writing is also a stategic process. I like the idea of using a book journal daily along with a book discussion. Through a book journal the students can practice their informal writing in different forms, such as poetry or reports. Viewing....is an important part of literacy. Students have to use comprehension skills for viewing. We could take a virtual reality fieldtrip having to do with a certain book topic, watch a film version of the book we are reading. Visually Representing....the student give meaning to the book oor story they have finished. They create a some sort of visual text. Students can act out the book, make a book retelling the sory, diaroma, make a chart or even create a power point presentation.
There are many different strategies to help intregrate these six language arts, such as brainstorming, summariazing, organizing, inferencing, connecting, monitoring, questioning, proofreading segmenting and active background knowlege.

I think I can do this ;)