Travel Log: 3/28/14

Teaching reading skills using book New Found Land based on Lewis and Clark Expedition.  New character wasYork a slave to Cap. Clark.  Students had a hard time understanding why York, the slave, did not try t run away or let Cap. Clark know how he didn't want to join the expedition.  I had to explain the time period in which this took place.  We had an open discussion about the lack of freedom African American's had back then compared to now.  Many students were outraged about how York was treated but made statement like "I'm a fortunate slave".  They were motivated t ask sensitive questions about slavery and the treatment of African Americans today. 

3/26/14:  Volunteer Book Club:  My students competed in their Read to Lead competition yesterday and won 3rd Place!   They went against 11 middle schools and overcame their nervousness to get their medals.  They were so proud as they walked around the school and went back to their classrooms in the afternoon other students were asking them what the medal was for.  I am so happy to be part of this group.  Other students approachd me to find out how they can participate next year.  As an intensive reading teacher I couln't ask for a better motivation to get these students to want to read books after school.

Travel Log 3/21/14

Education secretary Arne Duncan revealed that according to a comprehensive survey in nearly 15 years of civil rights data from the 97,000 public schools show they remain marked by inequalities.  2/5ths' of the nation's public schools offer no preschool programs and most of those that do offer only part day programs.  Black students account for less than a fifth of those in preschool across the nation but make up almost half of the sstudents who are suspended from preschool  multiple times.  Duncon goes on to demounce the inequities as "socially divisive, educationally unsound, morally bankrupt and economically self-destructive.'   As a reading teacher I know that early intervention for students who struggle to read is paramount in their first years of school.  Connie Jue (1988) reported that children who were struggling readers at the end of grade one had an 88% chance of struggling at the end of grade four. The first years of school, then - kindergarten and first grade - are the prime time for intervention. (McKenna, M.C., & Walpole, S., 2013) .   The report also revealed racial inequities in access to education.  For example, a quarter of the high schools with high percentages of black and Latino students do not offer Algebra II.  How can we stop this cycle?  Is giving more money to these districts the answer?  I would only if those districts be held accountable to show that the money is going towards the equal access of programs for all students and the hiring of qualified teachers to teach the courses. 

Book Club 3-16-14

3/16/14: 4:30-5:00 pm: We are finishing up on the Book Wonder.  Next Week we are making t-shirts for our Book Club competition called "Read to Lead".  We will compete with 4 other middle schools first week of April to see who has the best comprehension on all the books we have read so far.  All students are level one and to readers (based on FCAT).  Students are nervous (so am I).  I will be making a jepordy type game asking them some critical questions about the books we have read to help them get ready.  I just want them  have fun.  My kids have struggled with reading so I want to make this a positive experience for them. 

Travel Log: 2-26-14 Cultural Conflicts

I read about Obama's Mentoring initiative today in the Orlando Sentinel.  Obama"s My Brother's Keeper initiative pairs public and private efforts to help minority young men stay out of trouble, succeed in school and land good jobs.  It will rely on existing resources, recruits private sector participation and does not require Congress' approval.  Obama realized that if he had not grown up in Hawaii but some where like Chicago he might not have had the same opportunties.  I think it is a great plan and hopefully it will not be tied up with red tape.  Students need to see role models, especially those that look like them, explain how they got to where they are.  It should not just be a one time visit but a reoccuring visit that holds students accountable for grades, behavior or just showing up to school.

Book Club

2/21/14- Book Club : 400 - 5:30 p.m.
Started new book today with my students.  Excellent book Wonder, by R.J. Palacio.  A middle school student has a deformity on his face and he writes about how other students treat him.  The students were eating this book up.  I like how this books helps them discuss differences and empathy.  They brought up how this books reminds them about experiences they have had themselves.  I love the way they spoke openly about how they could relate to the main character August in this book.  I can see using this book in my classroom in the future to help students talk through some of these emotions; hate, bullying, compassion.  If you want to view the blog on amazon I provided the link below

http://www.amazon.com/Wonder-R-J-Palacio/dp/0375869026

Book Club - 2/14/14

2/14/14- 4:00 - 5:30 pm. : I'm excited to have picked out a new novel for my students to read today.  The book is New Found Land by Allan Wolf.  The books is about the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  What I liked about this books is that it contains letters and notes written from the points of view of Sacagawea, a French Indian, a slave and Captains Lewis and Clark.  I thinks it's a great way to discuss points of views from the perspective of all the persons involved in the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  I am excited to start blogging the students' reactions when we start reading it next week. 

Book Club Tutoring - Volunteer Log

2/13/14:  4:00 pm. - 5:30 p.m.Good start to Book Club today.  Students got to know one another and I learned a little from each of them.  We discussed books we are going to start reading and how we will be go against some other students from other middle schools in May to see who can answer the most questions correctly about the books we will be reading.  The students were so excited, especially after they learned that it involved a day off from school to compete and pizza!  The students are all African American who are striving readers (Level 1 and Level 2 in FCAT reading assessments).  I love to volunteer to run this book club because they students with my help can read and most importantly enjoy the same books their peers are reading. 

Travel Log: Awesome Lesson 2-5-14

Taught a lesson today about Lewis Latimer.  Lewis Latimer was African American who  improved upon the filments used in lightbults which resulted in the lightbulb lasting longer and being less expensive to use.  Needless to say his improvement made it possible for every home and business to have light.  What an impact!  As I had this discussion I decided to ask my students why would Thomas Edison hire Lewis Latimer to be one of the first pioneers in Edisons team of inventors and they were immediately engaged and in deep conversation.  One student stated, "Thomas didn't see black when he hired Latimer he saw Green".  Implying Edision new Latimer could make his company a lot of money because he was a smart man.  I hope they understand how important Lewis Latimer's contribution to the world went beyond making a better lightbulb.

Travel Log: 1/30/14

During teaching today I overheard a student say "all of you are from Africa because your Black".  I stopped and asked her why are you saying that because the students she was pointing to were very offended by her remark.  The student said it again, "all of you are from Africa because your Black".  I asked the students to tell me where are you from?  One student responded "I'm from Dominican Republic" the other student stated "I was born in Florida."  I stated to them there is nothing wrong if you were born in Africa but there is something wrong when you state that all people who are Black are from Africa.  The student who made the remark  apologized but, as a teacher I felt it was important to perceive conflicts as opportunities to learn and develop. (Milner, H.R., 2012).  I asked the class if a person was White did that mean they were born in America?  All of them responded No.  I continued to say, "That means that a person's color has nothing to do with the place of their birth correct?".  Students thought about this and started to raise their hand and tell me where they were from.  I believe if I would have ignored or reprimanded the first student who started all this I would have lost a perfect opportunity to have my students reflect on the statement made by one of their classmates and make connections.