Four Major strand of Work

Communication:   Throughout this semester I have learned that communication is the best way of accomplishing goals.  In this class, communication was one of the most important things that I learned I had to do.  For me it was a bit hard to express to my peers and my teacher what I felt, but with time I learned that if I communicated my ideas I would get help from others.  I also learned how to communicate with the students in order to make them feel comfortable with performing poetry.  Overall I have learned that in the education field communication is one of the most important things in order to be successful.

Research:  In this new technology world I think of research and the first thing that comes to my mind is computers and internet.  In this class we have not used research like we would do in most of our classes.  I have learned that research can be done in other ways.  In this class we used poetry and learned more about it by using poems and performing them.  Poetry is sometimes boring, but I have learned you can always make it fun and enjoyable. 

Technology:  As I said before, we live in this new technology world.  Even though sometimes it is very useful, sometimes it is really hard to work with.  Thanks to technology we will have a video of our performance and pictures as well.  Technology also helps us to share with other people our experiences and reflections.  I really like the whole idea of a webpage; even though it is hard at this moment I am sure this experience will help me in the future.

Collaboration:  This is one of the classes where I have gotten to know all of my classmates and students.  From the beginning we all learned that we had to work together, and be role models for the middle school students. The Height’s students also learn to collaborate with each other, and at the end this was reflected in their performance.  This whole practicum has been a success because we have all collaborated with each other.  At the end of each of our classes we all talked about what was going on and there was always someone with a good idea to solve a problem.  Thanks to everyone’s work and collaboration this class has been a success.

Five Dimensions of Learning

Confidence and Independence: This class has really helped me to learn that I am more confident of myself and independent.  Three years ago I was not where I am at now.  I have learned to trust myself and do what I think is correct.  I am so happy to have more confidence in myself, and because of the confidence I am able to be more independent.  In this first part of the semester I was able to perform poems in front of students and not be embarrassed.   The first ones were a bit hard, but at the last performance I was really good at it.  I have also learned to work independently at home trying to memorize my poems, and thinking of new ways to help the students.

Knowledge Content: I have learned a lot of new things and ideas through this class.  I did not enjoy poetry before this semester, but thanks to this class I now like poetry.  I have gained new ideas in how to teach poetry in a fun way. The most important thing I have learned is that poetry has rhythm and beat!

Skills and Strategies: Through these first weeks I have learned many new skill and strategies.  I have learned how to memorize poems and perform them in front of people.  At the same time how to help my students memorize their poems and perform them.  Most of the things I have learned have come from the discussion we have at the end of the class.  I have gained new ideas, skills, and strategies that the other UNM students are using, or that they recommend me to use.  One of the things that I have enjoyed the most is learning how to use things around my house as props for performances. 

Use of prior and emerging Experience:  I have used the experience I have gained throughout the UNM program.  I am more comfortable in working with students, and connecting with them.  This was a hard one because most of my practicum has been done with elementary students, but my prior experience has helped with part of it.  This experience has taught me that there will be some students who are not interested in working with you, but if you learn to work with them they will give it a try.  Also, through this practicum I have gained new experiences and I am sure they will help me in the future. 

Reflectiveness: This is one of my last classes in this program.  I am really excited to learn more about the things I did not like.  I did not enjoy poetry at all, but through this class I have learned that poetry is fun.  I want to learn a lot more about genres and different authors.  I come from a family who did not do any reading at all, but I really want to change this.  I have already started by reading to my four year old son; however I would like to learn more about different kinds of books and resources that are out there.  I hope that through the second part of this class I will learn many new fun way to introduce literature into my classroom and my home.

I believe I deserve an A.  I have attended all of our classes and never missed one.  I have worked really hard with these students.  Poetry was not something I enjoyed but through this class I have learned to enjoy.  I have always hated to perform in front of people.  It is not something I felt really comfortable with, but I am proud of myself and feel like I have done a good job.  Overall I have learned a lot through this practicum experience.