Southern has a way of keeping students. If you choose to go to SCSU for your college education, you most likely will not graduate on time. If you choose to transfer to SCSU, you will most likely graduate one to two years after all of your friends in your class. I am not sure what it is about Southern, but I guess the administrators (or whoever) really just like to keep sucking money out of every student for as long as possible. If they have to make students take a ridiculous amount of gen. ed. classes they will. The other option is to not accept transfer students' credits, so they need to retake the exact same class again at Southern. The last option would be to require three pointless W courses or to not offer any needed classes over the intersessions. I have come to believe that Southern will do just about anything to prevent a person from graduating on time.
I transferred to SCSU last year. I am currently attempting to graduate on time with my class. I took two winter classes, I am going to try to take five summer classes, and then additional winter classes next winter. I am also going to be taking six classes this semester and next semester. Since I am going to be an elementary school teacher, I need to have all of my classes completed before I student teach. My goal is to be student teaching Spring 2013 so I can graduate that May. As of right now though, I am not sure if my plan is going to workout. This is mainly because Southern requires elementary education students to double major, and for my second major, no classes are being offered that I need over the summer. I am praying that the community colleges offer the classes I need or my dreams of graduating on time will be crushed by, you guessed it, the one and only SCSU. So I will have taken way too many gen. eds., four W courses, and I will have retaken classes because Southern didn't accept my transfer credits just to graduate a semester late.
What is even more ridiculous is the fact that for my second major, Liberal Studies, the people made it so that education students could only choose from a certain list of minors. Instead of being like every other student who chooses to major in Liberal Studies, education students have a limited number of minors to choose from. My second major will prevent me from graduating on time because instead of minoring in what I wanted, I had to minor in Psychology and History. There are no History classes being offered over the summer that I need. Thank you to the History Department and Southern, you are crushing my dreams, and possibly making me stay at Southern for another whole semester which I get to pay for out of pocket.
I can't wait to graduate from this oh so wonderful school which keeps students from graduating on time.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
EDU 307 Write about Writing
I think that I stopped enjoying writing once I got to fifth grade or so. Whenever I started having to write specific types of essays is when it started to go downhill. Writing just wasn't fun anymore after that. Writing became more of a chore rather than something enjoyable. Having to write essays for classes now in college is not something I like to do. Every time I am assigned an essay, I dread actually sitting down and writing it. Personally, I feel like some teachers don't even read the essays that I write. I get essays back with absolutely no comments and just a grade. That bothers me especially if I don't receive the grade I wanted. At that point I have no idea what to fix or what I did wrong. On the other hand, I currently have a professor who spends two weeks grading papers and he gives 1-2pages of single spaced comments back. He also lets you re-write the papers as many times as you want until you get the grade you want. I am not totally against writing, but I would much rather write a paper for a professor who gave me comments and the opportunity to re-write. Also, I prefer shorter writing assignments. Writing these blogs is so much better than writing an 8-10page paper. Not only are the topics broad or free choice, they are also topics that interest me. I don't dread writing them because I can write them quickly and to the point. I don't need to fill it with b.s. and such just to complete the page requirement. Writing about writing is difficult because I guess I don't hate writing, I just hate having to write essays for school. They suck the fun out of writing. I don't learn more from writing the essays I just become more stressed out. I just wish that instead of saying "you need to write a paper this long on one of these topics" they would say "i just want you to write a paper on a topic of your choice that relates to this class and it can be however long you want to get your point across...it just has to show me that you learned something and it has to be long enough that i can tell your writing has improved over the semester". Even though that would be really broad, I would enjoy that challenge more than trying to write a 10page paper.
Monday, February 20, 2012
EDU 307 Collaborative Learning and Literacy
Does collaborative learning support literacy?
Collaborative learning is when two or more people try to learn something together. Collaborative learning is different then independent learning because with independent learning, the person is attempting to learn something on their own. In collaborative learning, students are trying to learn something together with other students. Some examples of collaborative learning are jigsaws, group projects, think pair share, debates, study groups, and joint problem solving. With a jigsaw activity, the class can be divided into small groups. Each person in the group has a specific part or "piece of the puzzle". In order for each group to complete the task at hand, each group member needs to contribute their individual part. This way if everyone doesn't participate the "puzzle" can't be completed.
I do believe that collaborative learning supports literacy. For me personally, I tend to really understand something if a peer were to explain it to me. Sometimes teachers tend to explain things in more complex terms. This makes it difficult for students to understand. However, if we are given an activity after the teacher lectures that involves group work, I can normally understand the lecture. By discussing questions or topics with peers, it clarifies what I was confused about and puts it in simpler terms. So if my students were able to collaborate with each other they would most likely learn better and understand a text better. If we were reading a book as a class or if a group of students were all reading the same book, they would be able to comprehend what they read better if they were able to talk to other students about it. If one student was confused about a certain part in the book, by talking it out with another student, they could probably understand it better. Another way that collaborative learning could support literacy is through partner reading. By reading a book with someone else, if one person doesn't understand something they can learn through their partner. By seeing another student's insight it may help the child understand what they were confused about in a different way. Collaborative learning can also support literacy through writing. By giving students a chance to peer conference about their writing will help them learn through other students. If they didn't know how to end their paper, another student could help by giving them ideas. Collaborative learning can support literacy through both reading and writing.
Collaborative learning is when two or more people try to learn something together. Collaborative learning is different then independent learning because with independent learning, the person is attempting to learn something on their own. In collaborative learning, students are trying to learn something together with other students. Some examples of collaborative learning are jigsaws, group projects, think pair share, debates, study groups, and joint problem solving. With a jigsaw activity, the class can be divided into small groups. Each person in the group has a specific part or "piece of the puzzle". In order for each group to complete the task at hand, each group member needs to contribute their individual part. This way if everyone doesn't participate the "puzzle" can't be completed.
I do believe that collaborative learning supports literacy. For me personally, I tend to really understand something if a peer were to explain it to me. Sometimes teachers tend to explain things in more complex terms. This makes it difficult for students to understand. However, if we are given an activity after the teacher lectures that involves group work, I can normally understand the lecture. By discussing questions or topics with peers, it clarifies what I was confused about and puts it in simpler terms. So if my students were able to collaborate with each other they would most likely learn better and understand a text better. If we were reading a book as a class or if a group of students were all reading the same book, they would be able to comprehend what they read better if they were able to talk to other students about it. If one student was confused about a certain part in the book, by talking it out with another student, they could probably understand it better. Another way that collaborative learning could support literacy is through partner reading. By reading a book with someone else, if one person doesn't understand something they can learn through their partner. By seeing another student's insight it may help the child understand what they were confused about in a different way. Collaborative learning can also support literacy through writing. By giving students a chance to peer conference about their writing will help them learn through other students. If they didn't know how to end their paper, another student could help by giving them ideas. Collaborative learning can support literacy through both reading and writing.
Friday, February 17, 2012
EDU 307 - Reader's Workshop
Reader's Workshop is known as a more effective way to teach reading. After reading the article, "Organizing for Effective Instruction: The Reading Workshop," written by Reutzel and Cooter, I plan to have five components of RW in my classroom. First, there will be sharing time. This will last between five and ten minutes. During this time, myself as the teacher, will share new things about literature with the class. If I have nothing to share on a particular day, I will use this time to introduce the mini-lesson. The mini-lesson comes next. The mini-lesson will last for about ten to fifteen minutes. This is where I will lead a discussion pertaining to the skill I want my students to focus and improve on. I can also use this time for pre-reading activities. Following the mini-lesson will be state-of-the-class. This will last for around three to five minutes. We will have a state-of-the-class chart in our classroom. This will help to keep track of the students' progress. So during this time I will quickly review the progress made as well as telling my students their responsibilities during the workshop period. The workshop period is known as self-selected reading and response time. This will last for forty minutes. During this time, the students will do self selected reading, literature response, and individual reading conferences. For the conferences, I plan to meet with students individually and privately. During these conferences I will discuss with the children their progress and I will give them a goal to work on during this period. Reader's workshop will begin and end with sharing. After the workshop time, it will be time for student sharing. This will only last for around five to ten minutes. Students will have the opportunity to share books, poetry, projects, etc withe the class. I will make sure that this sharing time doesn't go over ten minutes.
I see mini-lessons as a crucial part of reader's workshop. I think that mini-lessons are perfect for getting something important across to my students, while keeping their attention because it is such a short lesson. My mini-lessons can focus on skill and strategies, different genres, and sustainable habits and behaviors. Mini-lessons will last for about ten to fifteen minutes. Each mini-lesson will end with some type of model that students will use in their own learning. I will use mini-lessons after the short teacher's sharing time. The role of the mini-lessons is to give students something to work on during workshop time. For example, for my mini-lesson I can talk about predicting. During the workshop time, the students can practice predicting on their own and in groups. I really believe that mini-lessons are important and should be incorporated in reader's workshop.
I see mini-lessons as a crucial part of reader's workshop. I think that mini-lessons are perfect for getting something important across to my students, while keeping their attention because it is such a short lesson. My mini-lessons can focus on skill and strategies, different genres, and sustainable habits and behaviors. Mini-lessons will last for about ten to fifteen minutes. Each mini-lesson will end with some type of model that students will use in their own learning. I will use mini-lessons after the short teacher's sharing time. The role of the mini-lessons is to give students something to work on during workshop time. For example, for my mini-lesson I can talk about predicting. During the workshop time, the students can practice predicting on their own and in groups. I really believe that mini-lessons are important and should be incorporated in reader's workshop.
Monday, February 13, 2012
EDU 414 Blog of Choice - My Birthday :)
Last time that I wrote on my Blog, I had talked about why turning twenty one was such a big deal. I discussed how nervous I was about turning twenty one, what I was going to do for my birthday (because I had no idea at the time), and why turning twenty one was such a big deal to me and to other people.
Well my birthday was this past Saturday and I am now officially the big two one. Needless to say after all of that worrying, I had an amazing twenty first birthday weekend. Friday night, I went with my boyfriend to see the movie "The Vow". I really enjoyed the movie and my boyfriend said that it was not as horrible as he thought it was going to be. Going to see, "The Vow," on opening night however was not the smartest idea I have ever have. The movie was sold out, and we did not get there early. We sat in the fourth row from the front and we had to look up for the entire movie. The movie was also filled with eighth and ninth grade girls. Basically, we felt like the oldest people in the theater. Other than looking up the entire time and girls "ooo-ing" at Channing Tatum with his shirt off, the movie really had a strong impact on my boyfriend and I. For those who don't know, this movie is about a young couple who were head over heals in love, they had just gotten married, and then a car hit them at a stop sign and the girl's head went through the windshield. She suffered from severe brain damage and when she woke up from her coma, she doesn't remember her husband. The last thing she remembers is being engaged to her ex-fiance. I don't want to give the whole movie away, but basically it is about her husband doing everything he can to make her remember him and make her fall in love with him all over again. The reason I said that this movie really affected my boyfriend and I is because that type of accident could happen to anyone. We were talking on the way home about different scenarios. Would you rather have the person you love die? Or would you rather them not remember you (never regain their memory of you) and you would have to live the rest of your life both trying to get them to remember and trying to make them love you all over again? My boyfriend said that he would rather the person he loves dies. I was taken back by this because I at first felt I would rather have them be alive with no memory. He made a strong argument for his view though. He said that, "if they wake up, don't remember who I am, and then never regain their memory of what we had and can only remember people and events before me, they may never love me the same way again." He went on to say that at least if the person died he would be able to mourn their death and some what move on with his life. This way he wouldn't constantly be playing the what if game. I eventually agreed with him, because to know that the person you love more than anything says they don't know who you are, would absolutely break my heart into a million pieces. I would not be able to go on living everyday trying to put the pieces back together for them when they may never remember.
Come Saturday, I was so thankful that we didn't actually get that snow storm that was suppose to ruin my birthday day. Saturday during the day I just relaxed and got my hair done for my big birthday night. For dinner, I went to UNO's in Milford with my family. UNO's is one of my favorite restaurants. After dinner, I decided to try my luck and I purchased two power-ball tickets. I didn't win, but at least I tried. I am not sure what I would have done with $325 million anyways, but I probably could have found something. Around nine o'clock my two friends and my boyfriend picked me up. We ended up going to three bars in Fairfield and I had a lot of fun. I remember the entire night and I didn't throw up, but I had a great time anyways. Even though I didn't do anything huge and I didn't black out, having my friends there to celebrate with me made it a great time. I wish I could rewind and relive that night again. You only turn twenty one once, and I had a wonderful twenty first birthday experience.
Sunday was my family party. My parents had invited just about everyone who had known me since I was a baby. I had my family there and family friends, and I could not have asked for a better way to end my birthday weekend. I felt so happy inside that all of these people wanted to come and spend their Sunday with me celebrating my birthday. I received so many nice gifts, which weren't necessary, but were very thoughtful. I am now going to spend this week writing out all of my thank you notes. We all ate a delicious brunch that my mom cooked and yummy cupcakes for dessert.
All in all, I had a great twenty first birthday. It still has not really hit me that I can now go buy alcohol and gamble at the casino, but soon enough it will. Turning twenty one was a big deal, but there really was no a need to stress out as much as I did. I spent my birthday with my family and friends and I couldn't ask for anything more. I feel as if you will always have a good time if you are with great people. I was told that now that I am twenty one, it all goes down hill from here, but I will save that for another blog post.
Well my birthday was this past Saturday and I am now officially the big two one. Needless to say after all of that worrying, I had an amazing twenty first birthday weekend. Friday night, I went with my boyfriend to see the movie "The Vow". I really enjoyed the movie and my boyfriend said that it was not as horrible as he thought it was going to be. Going to see, "The Vow," on opening night however was not the smartest idea I have ever have. The movie was sold out, and we did not get there early. We sat in the fourth row from the front and we had to look up for the entire movie. The movie was also filled with eighth and ninth grade girls. Basically, we felt like the oldest people in the theater. Other than looking up the entire time and girls "ooo-ing" at Channing Tatum with his shirt off, the movie really had a strong impact on my boyfriend and I. For those who don't know, this movie is about a young couple who were head over heals in love, they had just gotten married, and then a car hit them at a stop sign and the girl's head went through the windshield. She suffered from severe brain damage and when she woke up from her coma, she doesn't remember her husband. The last thing she remembers is being engaged to her ex-fiance. I don't want to give the whole movie away, but basically it is about her husband doing everything he can to make her remember him and make her fall in love with him all over again. The reason I said that this movie really affected my boyfriend and I is because that type of accident could happen to anyone. We were talking on the way home about different scenarios. Would you rather have the person you love die? Or would you rather them not remember you (never regain their memory of you) and you would have to live the rest of your life both trying to get them to remember and trying to make them love you all over again? My boyfriend said that he would rather the person he loves dies. I was taken back by this because I at first felt I would rather have them be alive with no memory. He made a strong argument for his view though. He said that, "if they wake up, don't remember who I am, and then never regain their memory of what we had and can only remember people and events before me, they may never love me the same way again." He went on to say that at least if the person died he would be able to mourn their death and some what move on with his life. This way he wouldn't constantly be playing the what if game. I eventually agreed with him, because to know that the person you love more than anything says they don't know who you are, would absolutely break my heart into a million pieces. I would not be able to go on living everyday trying to put the pieces back together for them when they may never remember.
Come Saturday, I was so thankful that we didn't actually get that snow storm that was suppose to ruin my birthday day. Saturday during the day I just relaxed and got my hair done for my big birthday night. For dinner, I went to UNO's in Milford with my family. UNO's is one of my favorite restaurants. After dinner, I decided to try my luck and I purchased two power-ball tickets. I didn't win, but at least I tried. I am not sure what I would have done with $325 million anyways, but I probably could have found something. Around nine o'clock my two friends and my boyfriend picked me up. We ended up going to three bars in Fairfield and I had a lot of fun. I remember the entire night and I didn't throw up, but I had a great time anyways. Even though I didn't do anything huge and I didn't black out, having my friends there to celebrate with me made it a great time. I wish I could rewind and relive that night again. You only turn twenty one once, and I had a wonderful twenty first birthday experience.
Sunday was my family party. My parents had invited just about everyone who had known me since I was a baby. I had my family there and family friends, and I could not have asked for a better way to end my birthday weekend. I felt so happy inside that all of these people wanted to come and spend their Sunday with me celebrating my birthday. I received so many nice gifts, which weren't necessary, but were very thoughtful. I am now going to spend this week writing out all of my thank you notes. We all ate a delicious brunch that my mom cooked and yummy cupcakes for dessert.
All in all, I had a great twenty first birthday. It still has not really hit me that I can now go buy alcohol and gamble at the casino, but soon enough it will. Turning twenty one was a big deal, but there really was no a need to stress out as much as I did. I spent my birthday with my family and friends and I couldn't ask for anything more. I feel as if you will always have a good time if you are with great people. I was told that now that I am twenty one, it all goes down hill from here, but I will save that for another blog post.
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