Friday, July 22, 2011

My Most Helpful Resources

Diller, D. (2003) Literacy work stations: Making centers work. Portland, MD: Stenhouse Publishers.

©      This resource is currently connected to my hands almost all day. It provides an enormous amount of ideas and explanations for having the most effective reading block. This being my first year to teach all subjects, I was most concerned about my reading block and guided reading. This resource has eased many of my worries and now has me excited to test them out in the next few weeks.

Greenberg, P. (2011) Bringing home into the classroom. Retrieve July, 22, 2011, from http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3448.

©      Getting to know your students as individuals is important to provide a friendly and non threatening learning environment. This article emphasized the importance of listening closely to what your students are talking about because it tells you a lot about them as individuals.

Wong, H. (2009). The first days of school: How to be an effective teacher. Harry K. Wong Publications.

“In an effective classroom students should not only know what they are doing, they should also know why and how.” ~~ Harry K. Wong

©      Another book that has recently been connected to my hands. I wouldn’t have survived my first year of teaching without the knowledge this book provided. It highlighted many things we would often not think of, but that would eventually kill your effective learning environment such as organization, seating, discussion… pretty much everything!

Esquith, R. (2007). Teach like your hair’s on fire. The methods and madness inside room 56. New York: NY: Penguin Group.

©      This book was a required summer reading as I entered my first year teaching. Of course I wasn’t excited at first, but it was such a motivator and gave insight to how successful your teaching year can be when you develop positive relationships with your students and parents. It showed how wonderful things can still happen even when you teach in what others call, “the worst neighborhood.”



Position Statements and Influential Practices


Global Support for Children’s Rights and Well-Being


Early Childhood Organizations


 Selected Professional Journals

  • YC Young Children
  • Childhood
  • Journal of Child & Family Studies
  • Child Study Journal
  • Multicultural Education
  • Early Childhood Education Journal
  • Journal of Early Childhood Research
  • International Journal of Early Childhood
  • Early Childhood Research Quarterly
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Social Studies
  • Maternal & Child Health Journal
  • International Journal of Early Years Education


Monday, July 18, 2011

Words of Inspiration

This week these quotes and passages really spoke to me. Many are words or encouragement and some are reminders for me, as a teacher.


"The moment I decided to follow instead of lead, I discovered the joys of becoming part of a small child's world."
Janet Gonzalez-Mena


"Part of being who you are has to do with feeling your feelings, which means you'll have a wide range of emotions--not just constant sunshiny happiness."
Janet Gonzalez-Mena



"Teachers can motivate students only if they themselves are motivated. They can make students feel valued and secure only if they feel valued and secure; they can foster enthusiasm for learning in students only if they are enthusiastic about teaching. The school culture can make or break a teacher in the same way that the classroom culture can support or undermine students' efforts to learn."
Deborah Stipek


"It's not all about you; you have to take your ego out and think about what's best for that child." Renatta Cooper


" The passion to create a safer, more just world for all kids is there,and I suppose will be there until I die- maybe even after." Louise Derman-Sparks

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Personal Childhood Web

Many people throughout my childhood have greatly impacted my life and continue to do so today.  These five people ( and those not mentioned) have helped me reach the goals I have set and continue to encourage me as I work towards new goals.



My mother had a profound effect on who I have become today. She strived for me to explore different avenues as I was growing up. If I wanted to learn how to play piano she would provide me lessons. When I had a desire to explore a new hobby she would provide that as well. I feel she always wanted me to have the opportunity to explore what the world had to offer. This gave me the opportunity to, in a sense, find myself. My mother is a wonderful listener and has always provided advice and a helping hand when needed. She was a preschool teacher, but was also determined to always be involved in any school events for me and my siblings. Seeing her at work, and how she did all she could for us is the reason I am where I am today.




My dad has also been such a wonderful supporter throughout my life. He was extremely supportive when I found learning math (mainly,algebra) to be a huge challenge! My father would always sit down with me and help me work through the math problems even if it took five times for me to understand how I got the answer. Despite his endless work hours or being out of town he would help me, even if it meant we would work through the problems over the phone. He has been a fantastic support as I worked through college, and to see the smile on his face as I graduated with honors was a fantastic feeling- to know just how proud of me he was.


My brother, Justin has always been what I guess I can call my “silent support.” He was such a very hard worker, and he was unable to pursue what he worked so hard for because of cancer. When he passed away, it greatly impacted my life and sparked my mission to be an educator. I became determined to work hard for what I really want to do, and to never settle for anything less than the best.  Anytime, things seem really tough I find my thoughts of him to be a comforting support and motivation to keep working hard.


My grandmother is such a wonderful woman with a genuinely loving heart. She has been such a wonderful support through her love, which she often shows through a hearty southern meal. The simple, Saturday afternoons as a child at her house have provided me with some of the greatest memories of love. She took the time to get to know each of her grandchildren (all 16 of them!) and their likes and dislikes. She always wanted to be involved in what we were doing, which gives me a sense of comfort and security. Seeing how this makes me feel, has impacted how I interact with my students. I know that those few moments talking with a child can mean the world to them.

My 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Tomblin sparked my desire to be a teacher. She truly made learning fun, even the horrible math and very long spelling words. She knew how discouraged I would get with the spelling words, but she continued to support me and always had a positive attitude when we worked one on one. Her positive attitude and energy that filled the classroom always made learning so much easier and less like work.  This year was a tough year for me, and I know her constant assistance helped better my attitude towards learning, which has impacted me present life greatly. It has changed the negative attitude I had towards learning and turned that to a positive attitude as a life long learner.













Sunday, July 3, 2011

Favorite Children's Books







When thinking about my favorite children's book, I think of the books I enjoyed reading with a great deal of expression, and the ones that really grabbed my student’s attention.  The first book, The Five Chinese Brothers, was given to me by my mentor. Of course, I never heard of it, but she promised it would go over very well with my age students. This ended up being a personal and class favorite. This book is very enjoyable because it is full of sneaky, silly ways that the Chinese brothers tricked the judge. It also has some repetitive lines that my students would also chime in to say.




Another favorite is The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. I absolutely love books that rhyme! I enjoy the challenge of reading a rhyme-filled book with expression. I very rarely finish the book without getting my tongue twisted a couple of times! This one is a favorite when we discuss the importance of protecting our environment. It is such a fun introduction to the lesson