Module 5 Summary

An Example of Effective Classroom Management Video
Literacy centers give students the opportunity to practice skills that have been modeled for them by the teacher quickly. Centers can be completed individually or with a partner. Teachers should make the centers work effective and related to the curriculum. Literacy centers should have materials changed out as necessary.

What is Literacy, and Why is it Important? Video
First of all, I love that the music in the video was Smooth Criminal! Although, I found it distracting at times when I was trying to read the information on the screen. Literacy is a key foundation and skill everyone needs to be successful in all aspects of life (personally, socially, financially, professionally). The video also featured one of my favorite quotes by Dr. Suess, "The more you read, the more you'll know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” As the video explained, being illiterate makes life extremely difficult in many ways and can contribute to poverty. Literacy is one of the most valuable things a person can learn in his/her lifetime.

Using Literacy Centers to Strengthen Reading and Writing Instruction Video
Literacy centers give students the opportunity to practice and implement the skills they have learned. Teachers also have the opportunity to work with individuals in conferences or small groups. Centers also allow students to be engaged in a fun and interesting way that is directly related to the curriculum. Centers should not be used as busy work, but to reinforce literacy skills and content.

Designs for Balanced Literacy Video
The teacher in the video has designed her classroom based around her goals of allowing students to become strong, literate individuals. She arranges her classroom for students to be able to work independently and in small groups. She also has smaller space to allow room for buddy work and a larger, whole group space. She also gave the advice, "If you model something well the students will be able to do it," and suggests that you work and collaborate with your colleagues.

Spaces and Places Video
This video is about Debbie Diller's new book called Spaces and Places. She explains how you can set up classroom to make it effective for you and your students. The book is divided up into five sections. The most interesting part to me was the before and after pictures. It allows teachers can see how classrooms were transformed and the potential their own classroom has. It also explains how areas can be used and a challenging thing for many new teachers, how to get your room packed up at the end of the year. She designed the book to be a spiral book that can easily be written in.