February 2013 Reflection
I always read my previous reflection! Not very happy with my last one. Excuses, excuses! It’s amazing the difference a month makes. This has been a month of thinking - really thinking. I gave up talking too much for lent. Seriously. I have a problem of talking and I am trying to be a listener and observer. I have to catch myself a lot - but it is getting a little easier. I enjoy watching and listening. It is amazing at what you learn by observing.
This has also been a writing month. I can honestly say I dug right into my paper the Monday after class. I am not sure what was up with that, but I know I we are nearing the end and I have to feel good about it. I would say I am a little anal when it comes to my own writing. I always thought I was a decent writer, but I am having second thoughts. This type of writing is really not my forte, but I am learning.
One thing I want to bring up before I forget - the bonds many of us have made. It really seems each week one or two of us are connected. For instance, when I shared that I had quit smoking (6 months) I had two different learners come up to me and share that they too smoked (no names) - but we have this connection and each month we hug and share. It might be the smallest thing - but so many of us connect over a small thing and form a bond - habits, weight, hobbies, teaching, age - love, love, love it!
It probably helps that I am a social person. Bet you didn’t know that. So you see, I have been quiet since Ash Wednesday and now I am letting it out on paper. Just kidding. What did we do before this class? I remember our first day of class. I was so nervous and I was late. I didn’t know there were two main roads in South Sioux City. I came in and was so embarrassed I was late. Brian immediately made me feel comfortable and welcome - as did everyone. It has been a tremendous joy!
Since I have not finished the reading yet (I will) I cannot comment or connect. That is one thing I keep putting off. Once I realized it was 28 pages I didn’t want to read it. I am starting it now and will come back to write alter. So a couple of thoughts about the reading. I had to keep going over the reading. First, I read as a learner. Each section kept jumping out and I wanted to know what the make-up of their study. Initially, I didn’t care what was in the study - I wanted to see if I had some of the same language or thoughts. It was interesting to read as a researcher. As I started over, and wanted to discover the content, I kept focusing on the name at the bottom. Springer. I am not a fan of Jerry Springer, but I have watched the show a few times. I really don’t have the patience, but I thought how interesting it would be to have the authors, the teachers, and the policy makers on stage. How fun would that be? So when I actually concentrated on the article, I could not help but put people into the subcultures as I read. I put myself in one as well. I would like to say I’m in the subculture of democratic inquiry and practice, but honestly, I have not been asked or forced to practice new strategies or procedures. I am witness to the elementary starting their 3rd reading program of the year. True! Number three! We are on a watch list and the elementary started a new reading program last year. They continued this year and it was going well. Then, out of nowhere they are asked to implement a new program. I say they, but I certainly was included. They divided all students in grades 3-5 into leveled reading groups. I was put with 4th grade. I believe I am certified 5-12, so I am not sure if this was appropriate or not. This lasted two or three weeks. I believe the elementary teachers put their feet down. They argued with the administration and now I have eight 5th graders for leveled reading each morning (includes students with IEPs). Now they are working on Daily 5 and Cafe. Really! I believe if they could stick to one program or strategy they might see success, but instead both students and teachers appear lost and very hurried.
Another point I started to make earlier with the connections was sharing my paper with someone out of my comfort zone. This was so worth while. I wish we would do more of it and had more time to do it. I felt a little rushed reading the paper. I didn’t feel I could really do it or its writer justice by skimming. Just a thought. I believe this was so beneficial to me and felt a little cheated that we didn’t have more time. I love to get genuine responses - even if it’s not the response I was hoping for.
This has also been a writing month. I can honestly say I dug right into my paper the Monday after class. I am not sure what was up with that, but I know I we are nearing the end and I have to feel good about it. I would say I am a little anal when it comes to my own writing. I always thought I was a decent writer, but I am having second thoughts. This type of writing is really not my forte, but I am learning.
One thing I want to bring up before I forget - the bonds many of us have made. It really seems each week one or two of us are connected. For instance, when I shared that I had quit smoking (6 months) I had two different learners come up to me and share that they too smoked (no names) - but we have this connection and each month we hug and share. It might be the smallest thing - but so many of us connect over a small thing and form a bond - habits, weight, hobbies, teaching, age - love, love, love it!
It probably helps that I am a social person. Bet you didn’t know that. So you see, I have been quiet since Ash Wednesday and now I am letting it out on paper. Just kidding. What did we do before this class? I remember our first day of class. I was so nervous and I was late. I didn’t know there were two main roads in South Sioux City. I came in and was so embarrassed I was late. Brian immediately made me feel comfortable and welcome - as did everyone. It has been a tremendous joy!
Since I have not finished the reading yet (I will) I cannot comment or connect. That is one thing I keep putting off. Once I realized it was 28 pages I didn’t want to read it. I am starting it now and will come back to write alter. So a couple of thoughts about the reading. I had to keep going over the reading. First, I read as a learner. Each section kept jumping out and I wanted to know what the make-up of their study. Initially, I didn’t care what was in the study - I wanted to see if I had some of the same language or thoughts. It was interesting to read as a researcher. As I started over, and wanted to discover the content, I kept focusing on the name at the bottom. Springer. I am not a fan of Jerry Springer, but I have watched the show a few times. I really don’t have the patience, but I thought how interesting it would be to have the authors, the teachers, and the policy makers on stage. How fun would that be? So when I actually concentrated on the article, I could not help but put people into the subcultures as I read. I put myself in one as well. I would like to say I’m in the subculture of democratic inquiry and practice, but honestly, I have not been asked or forced to practice new strategies or procedures. I am witness to the elementary starting their 3rd reading program of the year. True! Number three! We are on a watch list and the elementary started a new reading program last year. They continued this year and it was going well. Then, out of nowhere they are asked to implement a new program. I say they, but I certainly was included. They divided all students in grades 3-5 into leveled reading groups. I was put with 4th grade. I believe I am certified 5-12, so I am not sure if this was appropriate or not. This lasted two or three weeks. I believe the elementary teachers put their feet down. They argued with the administration and now I have eight 5th graders for leveled reading each morning (includes students with IEPs). Now they are working on Daily 5 and Cafe. Really! I believe if they could stick to one program or strategy they might see success, but instead both students and teachers appear lost and very hurried.
Another point I started to make earlier with the connections was sharing my paper with someone out of my comfort zone. This was so worth while. I wish we would do more of it and had more time to do it. I felt a little rushed reading the paper. I didn’t feel I could really do it or its writer justice by skimming. Just a thought. I believe this was so beneficial to me and felt a little cheated that we didn’t have more time. I love to get genuine responses - even if it’s not the response I was hoping for.