EDRD 7718 Module 5 Learning Summary

This module was primarily focused on effective ays to teach literacy while engaging students and meeting the needs of all of the students in our classrooms.

I really liked seeing the word study activities at the beginning of the module. I was quickly reminded how I should not over-work my students during their word study time.  These students can easily get overwhelmed and become self conscious when given a task too large to handle. It is so important to pick one skill at a time and focus on it before moving on to the next skill. I find this difficult. I have 4 word study groups all learning different sorts/sounds at one time. I sometimes think I ask too much of them but I need to remember to keep it simple and straightforward. After all, they're only 8!

Small group instruction is essential and expected at my school.  I do not have centers in my classroom and because we are a primarily workshop based teaching school we often do a lot of small groups.  During small group instruction I think it is so important to group students that have a common weakness together and work on ONE, just ONE strategy that can help them. If we give them worksheets and busy work are we helping them? Small groups are a great way for teachers to truly check in with every child while differentiating lessons for each student.  Small groups require a lot of planning but if implemented correctly is an important teaching technique that can be used daily to reach all students in the classroom.

I liked learning about and seeing the various ways in which a classroom can be set up for the most effective instruction.  Classrooms should be a place in which students feel safe and comfortable, a place where they can take risks, learn, and be heard.  I personally have my classroom set up with the students in groups.  At a young age (2nd grade) collaboration and cooperating are so important to their social/emotional development. I think that with the students in groups, they are able to learn, grow, and explore with their classmates. I also think that bing in groups allows the students to struggle and work out issues they might have.  The classroom, mine at least is a sacred place where our "family" comes together every day to learn and grow individually and as a whole! :)

After seeing that little bit about Debbie Diller's book Spaces and Places I actually googled her and found more interviews of her discussing her organization and decorating theories and her successes she has had in the classroom.  This book seems like an essential for all teachers to have. I really liked the idea of making a plan of where you want the students to do their work but also where whole group/rug lessons will occur.  I like moving my classroom around and I think the students like a change of scenery and pace as well.