http://melaniepar.edublogs.org Just another Edublogs.org weblog Tue, 29 Apr 2008 01:10:35 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en When asked what inspires me as a teacher, so much comes to mind.  The opportunity I'm given to help students achieve their aspirations, to expand on their knowledge, to encourage them to become lifelong learners and instill in them a love of learning inspires me.  Not many people are given ... http://melaniepar.edublogs.org/2008/04/28/what-inspires-me-as-a-teacher/ After reading this chapter, I realized I had an area in which I need to improve upon in my own teaching.  I really liked the table on page 211 comparing traditional and alternative assessments.  That is an area that I need to improve upon.  I realize I need to do ... http://melaniepar.edublogs.org/2008/04/21/ttctw-chapter-6/ This chapter was such a good summary to our semester.  There were many things in this chapter that made me reflect and/or connect to things we've learned through GSU or things in my own life.  I loved the quote mentioned at that beginning of the chaper by Alice Walker to ... http://melaniepar.edublogs.org/2008/04/21/ttctw-chapter-12/ I remember during my elementary Sunday School years, one of my Sunday School teachers said it wasn't the building that made the church, it was the people.  This is also true of schools.  The people in them make all the difference.  At the beginning of the chapter, a beginning teacher was ... http://melaniepar.edublogs.org/2008/04/01/ttctw-chapter-9/ I am so anxious to hear Paul Gorski!  After reading A Framework for Understanding Ruby Payne  and Savage Unrealities, I almost wish I could hear a debate between Payne and Gorski.  I want to hear Ruby Payne's response to all of this.  I think I remember a few people mentioning ... http://melaniepar.edublogs.org/2008/03/17/ruby-and-paul/ Since one of my Capstone projects is to write a grant with Jacqueline in hopes of buying more culturally diverse books for our school's bookroom, I was anxious to read this article.  The article mentioned guidelines to look for that had not even crossed my mind when picking out an appropriate book.  One of ... http://melaniepar.edublogs.org/2008/03/03/evaluating-childrens-books-for-bias/ Whole language versus phonics....it's like a blast from the past!  Whole language was the big "thing" when I was in college and I have taught reading through both whole language and phonics.  In my opinion, I think it's best to incorporate areas of both.  It may sound naive, but I ... http://melaniepar.edublogs.org/2008/02/07/pedagogy-of-the-absurd/ I was shocked when I read this article and couldn't believe it was a true story.  It's hard for me to even fathom that this was in fact a reality for Elizabeth Jaeger.  She was genuinely wanting the best for her children and she was punished for it.  I don't ... http://melaniepar.edublogs.org/2008/02/03/silencing-teachers-in-an-era-of-scripted-reading/ "Don't let the fear of what is difficult paralyze you" was written for me!  I have had a hard time reading almost every chapter and article in all of our classes.  I told my regional group last semester that I felt like I had some type of learning disability because ... http://melaniepar.edublogs.org/2008/02/03/freires-second-letter/ Friere discusses in his fourth letter the "indespensable qualities" of progressive teachers.  The qualities he talks about are humility, lovingness, courage, tolerance, decisiveness, security, the tension between patience and impatience, and the joy of living.  He points out that these qualities are developed through practice.  I definitely believe I have ... http://melaniepar.edublogs.org/2008/01/30/freires-fourth-letter/