Module 2 Summary

Goals for Differentiated Instruction Video
This video was very informational. Differentiated instruction is something I have found to be the most beneficial for students. I loved the idea the video gave about providing students with a "menu" of options to choose from to complete a task. Differentiated instruction provides the opportunity to challenge students and meet their needs according to their skill levels. Like many new strategies, it can seem a bit more difficult to implement at first, but ultimately we are in the business to meet our students needs, not what is the easiest thing for us to do.

The Story of Differentiation by Tomlinson Video

I loved this video! The experience in the 7th grade classroom with about half of the student four years below grade level is abosolutely incredible to me! In my student teaching experience the majority of the students were below grade level. They were not as far behind as Tomlinson's students, but many were still reading on a Kindergarten/First grade level. The whole thought process about teaching to the middle is the most inefficeient thing she could've done is so true. This video stressed how we must pay attention to students’ learning styles and teach to their needs, not what is the easiest thing for us to do. Tomlinson is such an inspiration for a new teacher like me.

Planning Strategic Lesson Plans
This PowerPoint was so interesting! I love that it has the procedures for developing an effective strategic lesson plan and for motivating your students to read. I personally have never used the format that was discussed on this PowerPoint, I have used parts of it. I think using this particular lesson structure will allow for more students to have a positive attitude towards reading. I would love to try this lesson structure in my future classroom.

Literacy Reading Content & Strategy

This PowerPoint emphasized the importance of reading across subject areas and scaffolding. Integrating different subject areas with reading is something I have always strived to do in the classroom. I think it's important and a great way to students to become successful. It's even more important now with the adoption of the Common Core. I was fortunate enough to student teach in a classroom that was implementing Common Core last year in reading and writing and it is amazing how well it is when you integrate subject areas. 

Module 1 Summary

Reading Strategies for Struggling Readers Video
I really enjoyed this video. I loved the examples it provided for parents to use with their students. Often times I feel like many parents want to help their child improve their reading skills, but don't know how and the video is a great and easy way for parents to get involved at home and help their child. I cannot wait to share this with parents in my own classroom and share it with the parent's of the second grader I am tutoring.

Trip to Hawaii Videos

I really enjoyed the way the PowerPoints were designed. They immediately captured my attention and maintained my attention throughout the entire presentation. I really felt like I was on my way to Hawaii! I think presenting information like this to students would be very beneficial for them and would keep their attention. I love using graphic organizers with my students. It helps them to organize their thoughts and information as they are reading. I liked the suggestion of using graphic organizers create their own stories. I’ve done this using story maps with my own students and saw a huge improvement in the development of their writing compared to when they do not use story maps. I also use the same story maps to record information about a story that they have read or that we have read as a class. Typically, I will model this concept with a large story map on the SmartBoard.

Expository Text - Understanding Organization & Expository Text Structures

Both of these PowerPoints were a big refresher for me. I haven't worked with upper elementary school students since I first entered the education program as an undergraduate. I forgot how to signal words and phrases are used to help identify the text structure of a piece. I also liked the idea of using graphic organizers to analyze the text. As I mentioned in the Trip to Hawaii summary, I really love having students use graphic organizers when they work.