Final Reflections

This half of the semester has been much better for me than the first half. I was able to start feeling comfortable doing my work at home and relying on others to keep me updated on what was going on in class and at Tibbetts. I really had to lean on my classmates and found that they are all wonderful and care about me and did their best to help me succeed this semester. Thank you all!!!! I couldn’t have pulled this semester off without everyone’s help.

I have read lots of books and enjoyed them very much. I finished with 106 books and am very proud of that considering everything that I went through this semester. Some of my favorites were recommendations of Frances’ and Land of Enchantment books. I have really learned that children’s literature is valuable and meaningful. I appreciate it much more now that I have read so much.

 I was able to return to Mrs. Hill’s class. I have missed it soo much! It was a great reunion with my classmates and the kids. I felt like I just slipped right back in place and was really able to help educate the kids. Again, I can’t emphasize enough how much I liked going to Tibbetts.  The kids are fun and very bright. I missed much of the teaching experience at Tibbetts, but now that I am back I am excited to continue going and helping out.

1.  Four major strands of work

          Communication – I have always been a go it alone type of person. This semester has forced me to become a good communicator. Communication has been the key to my success in this class. I have strengthened my trust and relationships with my classmates and all my instructors this semester through communication. I have also utilized more forms of communication than I normally would have.

          Research  - I have been very successful in finding children’s books that I normally wouldn’t have read. It is important to have a broad base of knowledge in this area so that you can make recommendations to others. Not everyone is interested in what I enjoy and if I want to be able to be a good resource to others I need to be knowledgeable about many different genres and authors. I feel like my research into different children’s books have started me out on this road and I need to continue to travel down it. 

          Technology – I have become very comfortable with the process of making and maintaining the webpage for this class. I think that requiring us to utilize technology is a good thing and has given me some great experience in this area. Like I said in my midterm reflection, I am glad that we have the webpage because it provides a platform to be able to present work to the class without being there physically as well as being able to check on what my classmates are doing and keep up to date through the blog and scribe sections. I also enjoy being able to interact in a different way with the class and do it when it is convenient for me.

          Collaboration  - I have been able to collaborate with my classmates again in designing lesson plans and activities for Tibbetts. The genre presentations that I have been able to attend and look at on the web pages have been another great way that we have collaborated as a class to create a bank of knowledge and resources that any of us can draw on at any time. I feel that collaboration is important in education and that we are learning how to effectively collaborate.

2.  Five dimensions of learning

          Confidence and independence – I have gained confidence in my classmates and in myself this semester. I have been able to lean on my classmates and they have never disappointed me. I have also gained confidence in my ability to teach children. I was nervous my first time at Tibbetts, but now I really look forward to going and interacting with the kids. I also have gained confidence in my ability to work through difficult situations and find solutions when it seems like I won’t be able to succeed.

          Knowledge content – I have continued reading children’s books and feel like my knowledge of what is available is continuing to grow. Like I stated earlier, I want to continue reading and build a base of knowledge that I can use to help kids learn to love reading. I feel like I have mastered the genres and literary elements this semester. I also have learned how to utilize what is already available and collaborate with others to be more effective.

          Skills and Strategies – I have learned a lot of this from watching Anna, Chantel and Christine. They are excellent examples for me to learn from. I am just now back in class and am using their examples to take my cues from at Tibbetts. I feel like I have a ways to go still in this area, but will try to gain as much as I can from the limited time we still have together.

          Use of prior and emerging experience – I have started reading to my nephews when I can. My expanding knowledge of children’s literature has helped me be a more effective storyteller. I also have been trying to gain more experience teaching and interacting with kids. I am going to be pursuing a degree in Art therapy after I graduate from UNM and this experience with the kids will be very valuable to me as I continue my education.

          Critical Reflection – Nothing has changed for me in this area. This has always been a strong point for me and I feel that I am very capable of being able to step back and see a situation from an analytical point of view. The hardest part of the process for me is realizing that I need to. 

Midterm Evaluation

Estimated evaluation in terms of grade – This semester has had its’ share of challenges for me, but I have been able to meet them and I feel that I have excelled in this class and gained valuable knowledge. I have read 106 books and been able to post al my assignments to the webpage. I would give myself an A+ for the work that I have been able to do.

Suggestions for your further development – I am going to continue to read and grow my knowledge of children’s literature. I also am going to continue to read to my nephews and become a better storyteller.