Congratulations Class of 2009!

"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice, it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved." Winston Churchill

For whatever reasons we all had starting our Master's program at the University of Guam, it was our choice to do so. Our paths crossed and life is better because of the choice we made.

Looking back at the past two years, we have accomplished so much and we are better individuals. Thank you Kate, Lorna, Lucille and Sheila for being the "Inner Circle" that I needed the most. I am so proud to call you my friends and to have shared this wonderful experience with all of you. Thank you Dr. Stoicovy and Dr. Rivera for your guidance and endless encouragement when there were so many times that I wanted to give up.

Lastly, I would like to end with our class motto:
"Each of us must be the change we want to see in the world." Mahatma Gandhi

Our Journey

“Success is not a destination, it’s a journey.”

Zig Ziglar

Part of tonight’s dinner conversation was connected with this quote when we all reflected our humble beginnings... the decisions we had to make...the first power point assignments....

As we approach the end of our journey, we reflect on how we began and where we are….We all had different reasons why we began the graduate program of Language and Literacy but somehow we ended up as a cohort- the most exciting one that Dr. Stoicovy and Dr. Rivera will ever have.

Our journey began when we walked into our first classes at SOE. After almost 4 semesters worth the grad work, we are better writers, readers, teachers and most of all better individuals as a whole. Now our success is what we make of what we have learned.

Congratulations to all of us who make up the UOG’s Class of 2009!

May 31st, here we come!

"There is a good reason they call these ceremonies "commencement exercises." Graduation is not the end; it's the beginning."
--Orrin Hatch

When we graduate on Sunday, May 31, it will not be a closed chapter and the end of learning. It is going to be the beginning of a new chapter.




I really enjoyed this evening's atmosphere. It was full of excitement and pride. I didn't have a chance to feel a bit of sadness of missing everyone soon. There won't be any more drives to UOG, at least for a while. I will truly miss the Inner Circle. I am sure our professors will miss us a whole lot. They have never had a group of Master's candidates with such energy. If they start to feel a little lonesome, well, there's ESL! This is my final blog for ED 644. May 31st is just around the corner. Signing out now!

Congratulations to all my Inner Circle friends!

Here's to the Class of 2009

Master's of Education

Language and Literacy

Tear, Sniffle, Smile, and Move On

"The most practical, beautiful, workable philosophy won't work - if you won't." --Zig Ziglar

No matter how ethical or well thought-out your philosophy is; if you are not willing to live out your philosophy, then it is useless and nonexistent.

We are truly living our philosophies. I always believed that learning never ends. I remember hearing a philosophy that included, "To teach once is to learn twice." Everyday that I learn to teach and teach to learn, I am living my philosophy.

It has truly been a wonderful ride. As Cef said, "...the journey has just begun." I'm in love with that saying in that we feel it is the end; however, it is only a new beginning. I thank you Dr. Rivera and Dr. Stoicovy for all that you have done for me. Your encouragement, guidance, and never-ending faith in my potential has lead me to succeed. You are both truly engraved in my heart!

The "Inner Circle" is one that I will always remember - a truly genuine group of individuals. You all deserve well. Best of luck in all your endeavors!!! CEF, thanks so much for the beautiful gift; I adore it!!!

And a closing quote to live by...one that has seen me through...

"At times, we may fail. At times, we may make mistakes.
But we must never make the mistake of failing to try. People deserve nothing less."
My wonderful father, Angel L.G. SantosWISHING YOU WERE HERE...

The Final Blog

"Obviously, there is little you can learn from doing nothing." Zig Ziglar

One cannot expect to be successful if they just sit back and wait for life to come to them.

The last blog...the last class; I cannot believe it is here. I had a wonderful time tonight with wonderful people. Just like Cef, this experience has been an absolute highlight in my life. When I am 80 years old, sitting on my porch in a rocking chair, my time at UOG with the inner circle will be a cherished memory. All I can say is thank God for facebook and email: saying goodbye isn't as hard as it used to be.

See you all on the 31st (or 27th)!

Kate

Family Celebration

"Successful men are influenced by the desire for pleasing results. Failures are influenced by the desire for pleasing methods and are inclined to be satisfied with such results as can be obtained by doing things they like to do. The common denominator of success-the secret of every man who has ever been successful-lies in the fact that he formed the habit of doing things that failures don't like to do." Albert Gray

We are all successful because we push ourselves everyday to be the best in everything that we do. Sure, there may be bumps along the way, but the great part is that we can pick ourselves up and try again.

Our family celebration was so perfect in every way. The decoration, food, gifts, awards, powerpoint, pamphlet and company were just amazing! I didn't expect that it could be so beautiful. It goes to show how we are such hardworking individuals who strive for excellence in everything that we do.

Thank you to my Inner Circle! It has been a worthwhile experience. I couldn't have done it without all of you by my side every week. I'm going to miss being excited in coming to class and see and learn what we are going to do next. The ride is coming to a stop, but the journey has only begun.

Treasured Success

“Unless you change how you are, you will always have what you’ve got.”
Jim Rohn

In reflection, the first word that comes to mind is – stagnant….There comes a time in one’s life when things come to a standstill. Until change is made, things will remain as is.

In education, there will be less development until things are done to excel academically. With change, one becomes knowledgable and informed. One learns to question and think critically making a positve change in the community and the world.

Our students would not have seen success in their reading goals if the effort was not put in and our diligent guidance.

As graduate students, we would not be close to our graduation walk if we did not complete the research to write the papers and create the power point slides to present.

Tonight’s literacy celebration is a testimony of our hard work and our team spirit!

A million thanks to all of you who made it a treasured success!

At Last...

"The secret of success in life is for a man to be ready for his opportunity when

it comes." --Benjamin Disraeli

Always be ready for anything.

I cannot believe it! It's finally here! Lorna and I both started Spring 2007 and it's Spring 2009. When we first started, we didn't know what classes to take. I

am so glad that we had Dr. Stoicovy to guide us and who made Literacy an interesting subject. My husband and children made a big sacrifice for me to finish and I am very grateful. I have a lot of admiration for people like Charlene S., Cef, and Kate. They're the ones who made the trip to UOG every week during the fall and spring semesters all worthwhile. Sheils, this doesn't mean that you're not special because you are! Your wit in our blogs are worth reading. A lot of praise go to our Professors, Drs. Stoicovy and Rivera. I am glad that the semester is over but a little sad that we won't be meeting up at UOG anymore. Good luck every one in all your future endeavors! We're part of a great team, the Inner Circle.

SET A NEW GOAL

"Pity the man who inherits a million and isn't a millionaire. Here's what would be pitiful, if your income grew and you didn't." --Jim Rohn

What do you do with the "million you inherit" (our Master's Degrees)? Do we let it sit idle, or do we use it to its fullest advantage to make a difference? It is another goal that we must set to achieve to become "a millionaire" (successful). Making a difference with what we gain will definitely keep us far from pitiful.I've mentioned that I took this course in 2007 just when I had my medical complications and surgery. I got to this point of the course that year and stopped. Presenting to Donovin's mom and sister tonight was a step further than what I reached in 2007 (the year that has converted from a dreadful memory to an encouraging event). Being that I've experienced the culmination of the course with the parents and the celebration that year, I must say tonight was a very unique and wonderful event. Donovin's mom cried when I presented his results to her and presented him with his gift. This memorable moment could not have been as significant if not for the "Inner Circle". Hence, I thank you once again!!!

SEE YOU ALL FOR DINNER NEXT WEEK!

Success!

"If we don't start, it's certain we can't arrive." Zig Ziglar

This is a fitting quote for a final quote. In December 2007, I had been on Guam for five months. I was having trouble finding a job so I decided to look into and think about graduate school; it was something I had been thinking about for 18 years! I hemmed and hawed...should I or shouldn't I? I finally said to myself " you have two years, those two years will go by quickly and when they are up you will kick yourself for not going, you will say I should have." So I raced around the entire month of December preparing to start graduate school in January. Now it's May 2009. The time indeed flew by, but I am so thrilled to be able to say I DID IT! And I never ever would have been able to do it without my inner circle...you made it such a worthwhile experience!!

Capri's next week!

Kate

Challenges...then Success

“You don’t become enormously successful without encountering and overcoming a number of extremely challenging problems.”

Mark Victor Hansen

My reflective thought on this quote is that success does not come without hard work and some problems. When I think of the word success, I think of the word failure first. Failure is usually a stepping stone to success. I think of when I first learned how to ride a bike without training wheels. I did not jump on the seat and ride away. I remember falling and getting back on several times before I was to ride on my own.

Just as a graduate student, I became a better writer and thinker after many tries throughout my classes. I remember the many track changes from my first paper to fewer red marks on my final pieces of work. I remember my lame first power point presentation without any animation. After learning so much about power presentations, I can whip one with confidence.

As educators, we face many challenges in our classroom each school year. But as true educators, we find tools and strategies to support and meet those challenges and find the success in our students.

As graduate students, we had many challenges but we overcame it and find ourselves reaching success come on the 31st day of May….

This past class session (and semester) was great....Dr. Rivera will miss this cohesive and collaborating cohort group!

Health, Happiness and Success

"Health, happiness and success depend upon the fighting spirit of each person. The big thing is not what happens to us in life-but what we do about what happens to us."--George Allen

We are in control of our own destiny. It is up to us which path in life we would like to take.

Sorry, about the brain freeze I had at the end of class. There was so much laughter going on that I couldn't think of anything to say. Thank you to everyone for helping me out! Thank goodness the powerpoint is done! Thank you Dr. Rivera for being so patient and helping us get it right after the millionth time! Thank you Lorna for doing a beautiful job on the parent pamphlet. Next class is going to be awesome! Great presentation. Great theme. Great food. Great company. What more can you ask for?

Target

Did we hit target? I am sure we all did! It was not as stressed this evening. I felt my shoulders lightening up. I just can't wait until Wednesday. The pirate theme is kind of neat to have. Arrr! Too bad I don't look like Keira Knightley! Would our family celebration along with the power point presentation, treasure chests, pamphlet add extra points? I know it will.

"Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life." --Henry L. Doherty

This basically is saying that learning never stops.

"People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing" --Dale Carnegie


If you truly enjoy what you do, you would have forgotten you were "working". The 'FUN' in it all is the biggest factor of our success. This semester has been more than just FUN, it has been an experience I'll never forget. That is success to me.

Cef, the power point is GREAT!!! Kate, SMART...you threw it in my school bag and here I was glancing into my purse to make sure you didn't put it there. Lorna, the Parent Pamphlet is BEAUTIFUL!!! Lucille...THANKS... ;-)
See you all this weekend...Katie Watie, see you tomorrow.

"Failure is success if we learn from it." Malcolm Forbes

How you deal with failure can lead down two paths: you can choose to wallow in self pity or you can learn from your mistakes and take the necessary steps to improve. The latter will always lead to success!

My friends we are two sessions away! I am so looking forward to the Family Literacy Celebration next week. I think the kids are going to love seeing themselves in the power point and the parents will love seeing all the hard work their children have accomplished this semester. The celebration will be a wonderful culmination of everyone's hard work. Cef and Lorna thank you so much for creating the power point and pamphlet, both are wonderful!

I love the idea of going out to dinner for our last class. What a nice way to end a very successful and productive semester!

See you all next week!
Kate

Learning and Growing

"It is not what is poured into a student that counts but what is planted." -Linda Conway

Just like a seed, it can only grow and blossom into a healthy tree if it is watered, trimmed and cared for.

A child can only have a meaningful learning experience when teachers nurture and guide the child. Many times, it is the simple lessons that the student remembers and understands which becomes a life long lesson.

From my own tutoring sessions, I think that Andrew learned more about the reading strategies using simple stories or articles. For him, it comes easy for him to understand and remember. Hopefully it will help him in his reading and eventually develop a great love for reading!

This past semester has been a fun and enjoyable one! As a cohort of graduate students, I think we have learned so much but I think we have gained more in lasting friendships! Thank you, inner circle friends for a great semester!

Aaaaahhh!!!!

My stress level is at an all-time high! I have just recovered from strep and the flu and with all the deadlines to meet, I am exhausted. My left eye is twitching. There's SAT-10 info to enter on the students' answer sheets. I am so surprised I am still functioning on Thursday.

I am trying to convince myself that all this will be worth it. I guess I always feel this way towards the end of the semester. I sure will miss the get-togethers. I know that Charlene will miss going to UOG. Anyway, we're almost there! We do have one hurdle-Praxis II. Good luck, everyone!

"The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows." --Sydney J. Harris

We just can't see the same thing all the time. Windows hold a lot of opportunities.

Love What You Do

"People rarely succeed unless they enjoy what they are doing." --Dale Carnegie

If you love what you do, you will eventually forget that you were even working. If you forget that you were working, you will have done your job passionately, effectively, and successfully.

If time seems to have flown by, you must have loved what you were doing that you had no idea you were just about done. At times there may be struggles, but these struggles are what leads us to appreciate the end results.

Donovin has recovered, thank God! He and I worked just today, Wednesday, after school into the evening to get our assessments done. Of course he had his breaks in between to snack, play with my kids, watch a little television, and play outside so as not to overwhelm him. He did so great!!! Good news is that I started my case report early on with the facts and information that I already possessed, so my only task is to input the tables and interpretations that are in my session reports along with added in depth interpretations. I should be in your shoes in another day, ready for revisions...

GREAT GOING TO YOU ALL...Like Kate said, we are so close, you can almost feel it!

See you all on Friday ;-)

It's so close I can touch it!

May 31st! So close I can touch it!

"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement, nothing can be done without hope and confidence." -- Helen Keller

If there is one word that can describe the inner circle it is OPTIMISM! We are constantly encouraging each other, cheering each other on and pushing each other forward to May 31. All of that bundled together creates a team of optimists and in a few weeks we will all receive our ulitimate achievement!

I just finished my addendum revisions for Dr. Rivera and I am awaiting Dr. Stoicovy's edits. As I wrote the addendum and compared the results of Nathaniel's scores from last semester I found myself saying over and over "Wow...he really did well!" I am so proud of him! I'm so proud of all of us; it's been a hectic but rewarding semester. Our next big goal is getting through the Praxis on Saturday morning. We've come this far, we can do it!!

See you all on Friday,

Kate

Successful men and women keep moving!

"Achievement seems to be connected with action. Successful men and women keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit." Conrad Hilton

In order to achieve our goals and dreams, we must be focused on the prize at sight. In our case, it's graduation!

I finished my Addendum for my Case Study Report early so I decided to blog and catch up on my other assignments. Good luck to my inner circle in completing their case studies. Have a great week and see you all on Friday afternoon.

The 10th Session

"Obviously, there is little you can learn from doing nothing." Zig Ziglar

If I didn't pursue my master's degree in Language and Literacy, I would not had the opportunity to learn all this great knowledge that I do now with the greatest bunch of people that I will ever know.

The last session was the best regardless if I didn't have Ahrian. We did our tenth session during Easter Break . He did great in all his activities. There was so much laughter and joy in the air. I can't believe that we are almost done with our program. Look at us now! I am so proud of us all!

Happy Belated Birthday Lucille! May you have many more birthdays to come!

Thank you, everyone! It's nice to celebrate being "25" so many times over. It was a nice surprise especially on the last tutoring session. Food was enough to keep me guilty of eating. Thanks again!

Charlene did her last retelling and spelling test. I took a quick glance on the spelling test and she did great! She's accomplished the level that she was struggling with. Yaay! All I have now is to get the diagnostic case report completed with uploads of Charlene's work! She seems more relaxed and warming up to being in social gatherings.

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." --Albert Einstein

Something good comes out of something bad. Or think of it this way, no pain, no gain!

Start and Finish

“If we don’t start, it’s certain we can’t arrive.”
Zig Ziglar

This quote comes in an appropriate time...As we end our tutoring sessions, we move on to the final weeks of our program. As the weeks come closer, we enter the last part of the completion of our Language and Literacy program. Then the grand finale…the great walk across the stage to reap what we have sowed these past couple of years.

In reflection, if we had not started the coursework, we would not be the receivers of much knowledge and wisdom as we have now. Now that we are (almost) finished, as graduates, we hope to impart what we have learned onto the students in our care.

WORK...ebay...WORK...facebook...WORK...ebay...WORK

"Choice, not circumstances, determines your success." Anonymous

It is not the situations that we encounter that bring us to success, but the decisions we make and what we do when in those situations that determines our success. We could easily take courses (the situation), but it is our decision (choice) to prioritize our daily activities in order to get our work done, hit target, and graduate (success). We can all play around about becoming "facebook'holics" or in my case an "ebay'holic", but all playing aside, we have made and continue to make the decision to get the work done, hit target, and head towards our success - GRADUATION!

It was a blast tonight learning all forms of technology. As we all read, technology is one that we all must learn and accept that we'll have to learn it one way or another. We all just learn 'technology' in our own ways (wink, wink). Thumbs up to Nathaniel's artistic skills portrayed in his sketch to stretch activity. I love this strategy. My students happened to do that very activity today with their Social Studies. I also included that skill in one of my paraprofessional lesson plans. Great going Kate! See you all at the reading hour this Saturday in Hagatna and at G.W. high for I.R.A.'s Spend It All event.

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY AGAIN LUCILLE! HOPE YOU HAD A GREAT ONE!

The last session

"History has demonstrated that the most notable winners usually encountered heartbreaking obstacles before they triumphed. They won because they refused to become discouraged by their defeats." B.C. Forbes

As I said in class tonight this quote is another version of "If at first you don't succeed, try try again." Do not give in to defeat for then failure has won. Jump back onto the bandwagon and go for it again.

Wow! Tonight was the last session with the kids, I cannot believe this is almost over. Nathaniel did very well tonight, I love his sketches, he is such a talented artist. He worked very hard this semester and it has certainly paid off. I hope he takes some of the strategies I have taught him and continues to use them.

Happy Birthday Lucille! I am patiently waiting for your first facebook status update :)

See you all on Saturday at the library!

Kate

Child Centered

'It must be remembered that the purpose of education is not to fill the minds of students with facts... it is to teach them to think, if that is possible, and always to think for themselves.' --- Robert Hutchins

In a true learning environment, the true learning happens when the child thinks and creates his or her own learning through opportunities provided by the teacher. Many times, I have found that when students bring up a topic or ask a question, it leads to more questions and the sharing of ideas. This becomes a learning moment for both the class and the teacher. This provides an opportunity for another lesson or an extension of a lesson.
This quote is appropriate for a couple of instances that took place this week. This week was a Science Fair on McCool’s school grounds. In my class, learning stations were set up for a “Bubbles Experiment.” The station had plates with soap and water and various objects. The objective is to make bubbles with the objects. The students were to observe and record their findings.
With the Science Fair, Andrew placed 2nd place for his grade level. Again, the quote suits well in this instant. Andrew and his cousin, AJ, worked together on an osmosis experiment using raw eggs. An exchange of ideas and thought processes between the boys helped Andrew answer questions and understand concepts.

As we "guide" our studens to meet their reading goals, we should keep in mind that we can't fill their minds with ideas but allow them to explore reading using the strategies that have been introduced adding to their schemata.

It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense. ~Robert G. Ingersoll


I like this quote. It reminds me of what I always tell my children and my students: I would rather have common sense and not be book smart than be book smart and have no common sense. This is not to be interpreted. I love to read and gain new knowledge but if I was ever put in a situation of saving myself from being hurt, I know I am not within reach of looking up a life-saving strategy or tactic in a book. I can be "street smart," too! It can save your life and help problem-solve!

I had a wonderful session with Charlene. We had a some spelling strategies that were worked with. Charlene read twice the iguana story and responded with her retelling. She did all right. We're going to continue to work on this and other comprehension strategies especially the question and answer part. Getting there!

"I challenge you to make your life like a masterpiece. I challenge you to join the ranks of those people who live what they teach, who walk their talk." -- Anthony Robbins

Only you can make a difference in your life by practicing what you preach!

I met with Nathaniel yesterday afternoon in Lucille's classroom and will go back there tomorrow for this weeks session. I was excited to hear from his teacher that she too has seen a great improvement in his reading skills. She said at one point she was considering him a candidate for the child study team. Given his improvement over the second half of the year, she no longer thinks he needs it! I am so proud of him.

I hope you all have a wonderful spring break, I miss you and can't wait to see everyone!

Kate

I shine the light; you find your way.

"Every truth has four corners: as a teacher I give you one corner, and it is for you to find the other three." --Confucius

As a teacher, it is our goals and reason for being in the position we are in to hand over the skills in attaining new knowledge to our students. The idea is that we scaffold our students in mastering the skills they need to learn independently. We don't want to give them simple, day to day lessons, but life long lessons that will lead them to find things out on their own. This is the strongest purpose of our roles as reading specialists.

Thus far, I have focused my session on assessments with Donovin. He has soared in progression with word recognition. Though I am testing, I decided to continue implementing strategies that will continue to guide him to literacy success. I'm starting a new strategy with word sorts. He seems to remember spelling patterns when comparing them to known words...sort of tapping into his schemata of spelling patterns. I'll be seeing him over the Easter break just to be sure we get enough assessments to show his overall progress. Enjoy your long overdue break! See you all in another week and a half. Until then, God Bless.

Let our inner light keep on burning!

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light." Albert Schweitzer

Everyone has their favorite teacher who has inspired them to do great things or become what we dream to be. One of my favorite teachers always believed in me and encouraged me to do my best. She was always there guiding and scaffolding along the way when I wanted to give up. For this, I am forever grateful!

I broke my session into two one hour sessions. My first session was last week Thursday and my second session was today. I enjoyed the second session because Ahrian made tremendous success in spelling. We did the Have a go spelling strategy and he got 16 out of 20 words correct on his first attempt. He played the spelling bee activity on my Microsoft Encarta Kids and he spelled the first ten words correctly. He made it to the second level. HOORAY!

I miss my Inner Circle! My session was not the same without all the loud noise, laughter and food! I hope that everyone is doing well. Have a great Parent Teacher Conference and a well deserved Easter Break! Take Care and I will see all of you soon. Cef

Happiness

"The key to happiness is having dreams. The key to success is making your dreams come true," -- Anonymous

This simply says that your dreams place you half way there. Making them come true completes it all! We're half way there!

Pardon The Delay...

Hi, Everyone! I'm sending my blog from my cell. It's going to be a very slow blog. My session with Char was productive on Wednesday. We worked on answering comprehension questions. She is getting a whole lot better. Since we don't meet at UOG next week, we'll work on more comprehension skills at our school. I started her on some easy-to-read chapter books. She already read one and finished it. *The reason why I said, "Pardon The Delay," was report cards were due. Plus, my birthday was being celebrated!

Preparation

"Part of success is preparation on purpose." Jim Rohn

In becoming successful, it takes effort and diligence; you take those necessary steps to be ready for anything through your pursuit. Being ready for what lies ahead of us as reading specialists, reading coaches, or just excellent reading teachers is our preparation on purpose. It takes hard work, "sweat, blood, and tears" to achieve success. We all have contributed that "preparation on purpose." We're almost there!!! As I've heard the saying once before..."Just keep on keep'n on!"

Donovin is doing great! He's able to read and spell difficult words two levels higher than his first attempts. I'll be sad for his sessions to end after another two sessions from now, but proud to see him grow.

Have a great session next week...and I hope your Parent-Teacher-Conferences go great!

P.S. ENJOY YOUR WELL DESERVED EASTER BREAK!!!

Change is good!

"Unless you change how you are, you will always have what you've got." Jim Rohn

If you are not satisfied with yourself then the only person that can change that is YOU!

Class was half empty today, but still the same good old noise going on. Ahrian took a power nap in class today. When he woke up, he had so much energy that he completed each activity quickly. The highlight of the session was when I made him go on my laptop and do a spelling bee activity on Microsoft Encarta Kids. He loved it! See everyone in three weeks!

"Ideal teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross, then having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create bridges of their own." -- Nikos Kazantzakis

I love this quote! It reminds me of scaffolding and ZPD. Helping students as they need it but then handing over the reigns and allowing them to explore and build schema on their own not only involves the student in their own learning but encourages them to seek out success.

Nathaniel was out sick today therefore we both stayed home tonight. I will conduct his session after school on Monday. I have really enjoyed being the bridge for Nathaniel and he has successfully crossed over many times. With each new idea I am there for him with new strategies and encouragement and when he has his "EUREKA" moment I want to jump up and do a dance! It's a wonderful feeling.

Happy Birthday on Friday Lucille...I hope you have some fun plans made!

See you all next week,

kate

Differentiated Learning

“If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.”
Ignacio Estrada

As teachers, it is vital that we realize that not all children learn alike. Since a child’s learning varies so must the approach of teaching. Learning is as different as the child is. It is up to us to meet the child’s needs and reach his or her greatest potential in order to have success.

Andrew and I had a productive session today since we will not be attending class on Wednesday. I am helping some National Junior Honor Society students who are deficient in service hours. They will be reading tutors to some first grade students after school hours. Although I will not be attending class, I am tutoring and still involved in Literacy.

"If we don't start, it's certain we can't arrive." --Zig Ziglar

This quote simply says that if we had never started the Master's program, we would not be where we're at now-GRADUATION!

Finally completed the make up sessions with Charlene. It's been frustrating with the absences but what can one do? She is getting better with speaking up. She's beginning to notice that I would ask her to repeat what she says because she tends to be inaudible.

During the last half of the 6th session, Charlene showed that she needed to get back on track with tutoring. I think the absences did not help at all. I am going to keep on encouraging her to come with me to the tutoring sessions.

This past Wednesday's session was all right. Before the class started, we got on with our tutoring session because she kept putting her head down. She did so much better with her dictionary skills. She actually wrote sentences that reflected on the definition she chose. Way to go! Her oral reading rates were so, so much better. I will try the silent reading rates on our next session. I know she will do great!

Crossing the Finish Line...

"Desire is the key to motivation, but it's the determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal- a commitment to excellence-

that will enable you to attain the success you seek."

Mario Andretti- race car driver

As a cohort, our personal desire is to receive a Master's degree but it is our tenacity to go through the grueling process of meeting the graduate work requirements of studying, writing, analyzing and reflecting...to become successful and proficient teachers in language and literacy...and in a couple of months, we will cross that finish line.

On Wednesday evening's session, Andrew and I accomplished about some tutoring activities on reading comprehension, retelling both oral and written and a spelling check on 6th, 7th and 8th grade words. We will continue with think-alouds and written retelling on expository text.

You gotta have some skills!

"The man who will use his skill and constructive imagination to see how much he can give for a dollar, instead of how little he can give for a dollar, is bound to succeed." Henry Ford

Anybody can teach, but the great teacher inspires each student to use their imagination, be creative, explore endless possibilities and think outside the box!

I had a great time as usual on Wednesdays. Ahrian did two new activities. He did the spelling strategy of Have-a-go and Three Sentence Summary from Kate. He did okay. He had a big week last week as he was the overall winner for our school's Read-a-thon biggest money maker.

Two to go.....

"The great dividing line between success and failure can be expressed in five words: "I did not have time." Franklin Field

If you want to achieve success you must make the time, those who do not make the time, fail.

Nathaniel was quiet today. He said he was tired so after we finished reading our last expository text I had him work on a written retelling of The Frog Prince.

I cannot believe there are only two sessions left! He has made such progress--I am so proud of him!

Have a great weekend all....

Kate

INDEPENDENCE

"The greatest sign of a success for a teacher...is to be able to say, "The children are now working as if I did not exist." -- Maria Montessori

I love this quote because it goes straight to the heart. When our students become so independent that they no longer need us by their sides, it reminds us of our purpose and philosophies. Donovin is at that point where he's practicing strategies and remembering these approaches to reading with little help from me. He has used this line a million times yesterday during our session, "No, no don't tell me...wait...I can do it...it's...". I'm so proud of him! His mom says she's proud of us both!!! That made me near tears!!!

I MISSED YOU ALL TODAY!!! THE MEETING WENT GREAT. A FEW DETAILS TO BE REVIEWED AND A DECISION WILL BE IN PLACE. THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND NEVER ENDING CONCERNS! IT MEANS A LOT!!!

Just an image without any intention of applying pressure on the Praxis II...




"We can have more than we've got because we can become more than we are."
-- Jim Rohn

My interpretation is that the more we add to our knowledge and field of expertise, the more money is added our teacher pay. I guess with our Master's degree we will advance to the next professional step and pay bracket.

Well, after being without the internet for two days (my internet was down since Thursday afternoon), I am glad that it is up and running. I am glad that I don't have the MCV bundle package. I was told that if the cable is out your internet and phone service will be out also. Isn't that weird!


My 5th and 6th sessions were crunched all in one week. My student was probably overwhelmed with the reading and writing, writing and reading and reading, reading, and more reading. I had to get enough from Charlene to adequately fulfill my tutoring session time. She seemed to regress a little. I don't know if she's starting to show disinterest in the literacy lab or is feeling bombarded with all this reading and writing. My frustration is from the homefront. I don't know how this idea of the reading lab is being received at home. When I spoke with the mother, she seemed all excited and happy that her daughter is getting extra help in her reading. I have sent the assignments home but Charlene is doing them on her own without help from her mother. I think mom does her share when time is available.

"Successful men are influenced by the desire for pleasing results. Failures are influenced by the desire for pleasing methods and are inclined to be satisfied with such results as can be obtained by doing things they like to do. The common denominator of success- the secret of every man who has ever been successful- lies in the fact that he formed the the habit of doing things that failures don't like to do." Albert Gray

My reflection of this quote is that successful people do what failures don't. Successful people look forward the end result of achievement however, failures are content with of doing what they like to.

Tonight's class was totally fun! Not to mention how delicious the cake was....It makes class time interesting....I am so not looking forward to returning to our cubby hole at the Lab.

Andrew is moving along with more reading strategies with more informational text. He is at the stage where he is reading to learn. From observation, Andrew seems interested in more non-fiction. He enjoys his History and Humanities classes and recalls most of the class discussions which connects to his interest of non-fiction text. With more guidance, Andrew may have success in his reading goals.

Let the good times last!

"Success: willing to do what the average person is not willing to do." Anonymous

What we do as teachers is just amazing! Everyday we go to work and inspire our students to do their very best and make them dream that reaching their goals in life can come true. Then in the middle of it all we pursue higher education to better ourselves when we can surely be doing something else.

I had a great session tonight. Ahrian is improving with his writing and spelling. I have been giving him writing prompts throughout the week at school and he has been doing his daily journal. I had him use a dictionary to find the words that he misspelled. That was another lesson in itself.

I agree with Kate that Wednesdays are the best! Everyone is so laid back. It's a different feeling than last semester when we were in our rooms. I vote to not return back to the Reading Lab! Who's with me? By the way, Sheila...Happy Belated Birthday! I hope that you got everything that you wanted for your birthday. Cheers!

Ahhh...you made my melt heart!

The food, the laughs, and the 'giddiness' of it all...I am thankful for! Yeah, I know. When I'm touched, I start to talk backwards...explaining why I say you all made my 'heart melt' as 'melt heart'. From all the deepest meanings of 'thank you from the bottom of my heart' I give to you all! I really couldn't believe it was for me! THANK YOU Kate, Cef, Lorna, Lucille...Dr. Rivera...and kiddies!!!

"Time is our most valuable asset, yet we tend to waste it, kill it, and spend it rather than invest it." -- Jim Rohn

Time is definitely precious. We all are in need of it, are usually not enough of it; however, we all have it. It's a matter of investing our time wisely on the things that are worth while, rather than waste it worrying about the time we need. Don't we love those days when we sit back and say, "Hmmm...that's done. " Then we jump right up and decide to use that time to continue with another project. Each week, we are all using our time so worth while in the sense that we all chose to get on our feet and make use of the time we have to dedicate ourselves to our wonderful students. Good job 'Time Investors'!!!

Oh...I need to invest a little time doing my hair and nails for the grad photo! But, not until I invest my time in completing this week's due activities first (wink, wink)!

Very mature graduate students.....

"The secret of success is constancy to purpose." Benjamin Franklin

Set your sights on your goal and stick to it. There will be bumps along the way, but perseverance will pay off! Stay on target!

What a great session tonight! Nathaniel performed better than ever! He is reading his word lists with great accuracy. Last semester he only read 9 words out of 20 correctly for the 6th grade level...tonight he read 19! His comprehension skills are improving too. I feel the Think Aloud strategy is really paying off and he loves doing the Zoom-In strategy. Tonight he needed very little prodding from me on what to fill in on the zoom-in worksheet. I am exhausted but so pleased with the success of the session tonight.

The laughs were plentiful tonight too and that's what I love most about Wednesday nights. Everyone is so dedicated to their student but so laid back as well....that makes for a wonderful comfort level! I still haven't heard back from the spouse who called me. I think she'll either never call me again or is busy filling out an application to graduate school at UOG because it sounded like fun!

See you all on Saturday!

Kate