Review on the Three Week Training

Three weeks went by very quick because the training was very informative and . At the same time, it seems like it was a longer time than just three weeks because I learned so much from it. It was indeed an excellent preparation for being a reading buddy to children. Moreover, it personally was much more than just a preparation in that it expanded my horizon so much. All the issues we talked about and made aware of went on to reshape my thoughts and goals in life in greater and positive ways. My beliefs and philosophy as a teacher is stronger and much more clear. I am overwhelmingly grateful for having such an opportunity to be a reading buddy. Because I was able to resensitize myself with concerns and issues in education, I think the practicum itself as it will start coming Monday will do even much more to fortify and add to my growing experience. Being a reading buddy is definitely a lot more than what it may sound like. I can't wait to meet my 6 students and be their "reading buddy".

The Last Day (wk 3)

Reading Buddy Orientation Reflection 10/13/06

We learned how to use different mechanisms to make cute toys!!! This was great because not only was it fun but very useful. I had brought up the question of whether or not such activity enhances young children's cognitive connections. I also had said that i wish i had had this experience when i was young since I personally thought it couldn't hurt to understand the system of useful mechanisms. Some of other buddies did not find it as enjoyable as I did. Some enjoyed it more than me. So with that, I was also made aware of different learning styles and preferences, which I should always consider when working with children as a teacher.

Day Eleven (wk 3)

Reading Buddy Orientation Reflection 10/12/06

The presentation today was very informative and inspiring. Because the speaker teaches the K-12 TESOL, what she had to present on how to tackle teaching ELL children were specific information that I am not necessarily provided with as a general track TESOL major. Yet, I was able to relate to the presentation very much because it is indeed what I am the most interested in.
Then P.S. 154 reading buddies was the lucky group of people to be the only ones to visit the school before nextweek. We met the principal and the assistant principal. I was also introduced to the teacher that I will probably be working with. We are certainly getting started now! I can't believe the training went by so fast!! Monday is right around the corner!

Day Ten (wk3)

Readying Buddy Orientation Reflection 10/11/06

Assessing children's reading level IS probably one of the most important and the most difficult part we have to deal with. Dr. Yukish really is helpful in guiding us how to do just this. I find his system very practical as well as making a lot of sense. Before Dr. Yukish came along, I had only concerned myself with HOW I AM, HOW THE CHILD IS and HOW THE CHILD AND I WILL MAKE USE OF THE BOOK to improve his/her reading skills. Now, I know there is one more thing that should be added to the list. Before I worry about how to make the most out of a book to teach the child, I have to know HOW THE BOOK SHOULD BE or WHAT BOOK IT SHOULD BE that each individual child works with.

Day Nine (wk3)

Reading Buddy Orientation Reflection 10/10/06

What Dr. Joseph Yukish does with us is personally very exciting for me in that I feel as though I'm getting a guided, formal introduction to children's books.
Before Dr. Yukish came in to talked to us, I looked at some children's books with critical eyes for the first time in my life this semester. And I wondered what makes a good children's book writer or what it takes to be an auther for these books in the first place. I did not really know. Some books I looked at made me think derogatively: 'Anyone can do this! Who's the author? Are children's books just some doodling of baby talk about random stuff?', some books made me think in awe: 'Wow! I don't know what it is about this book! But it sure is special! I really like it!'.
Now, I thought these thoughts without much knowledge about how children's books should be. So I should not voice my opinions out yet. I might completely overlook a very good book and criticize it. Thus, looking at random children's books for the sake of it, I immediately knew that I really needed to learn the criteria and the qualifications of children's books in order to have my own perpective on it based on professional knowledge. Maybe in reality, there is a very fine line between what makes a book good or bad and it all depends on the individuals with different perspectives. Still, without enough knowledge about the field and the books, my opinions could neither be professional or valid as ones that should come from a teacher.
I am really glad for this two day session with Dr. Yukish as I feel that it opens up and starts to solve such thirst for knowledge of mine about children's books.

Day Eight (wk2)

Reading Buddy Orientation Reflection 10/05/06

The issue of the Intelligence Quotient and the individual differences in TESOL is also a point very controversial. It is an area that definitely needs more research and analysis on and may probably reveal very critical answers, as more is found out about it, to a lot of questions we still have about how the IQ influences learning or how learning can affect the IQ. Filling out the survey on rating statements about IQ "agree" or "disagree", I was not very sure of myself because first, I've never thought about it in such detail and second, I really didn't have the answers to some of the issues of IQ. The fact is that there IS NO ANSWER. So I guess what we are to keep in mind from this is that BECAUSE we do not have enough solid facts about the IQ and its relationship to learning ability or capacity, the IQ measurements and evaluations that we might have on a learner is still subjected to skepticism and never an absolute standard to judge the learner before he/she even performs.

Day Seven (wk2)

Reading Buddy Orientation Reflection 10/4/06

We went through some different ways to present the phonics with the kids. This was helpful because I hadn't learned English this way. When working with a partner, I kept thinking and bringing up issues concerning myself as a TESOL teacher. I wonder what kind of influence this approach brings to the whole program.

Day Six (wk2)

Reading Buddy Orientation Reflection 10/3/06

More discussions and thoughts on how to present a book to a child. This seems like a pretty exhaustive and detailed preparation. It's so intense, I'm a bit worried that I'd be even more drained when I come back from working at the school. I need to go to the library and start checking out some children's books. I did not spend my childhood in the States and do not have a favorite nursery book of my own or like a particular children's book author. But I wouldn't want that to become by weakness. At the same time, as we have discussed today of how there are so many book out there on so many different things that it is crucial how we pick out what book to use. The analyzing of books and having personal opinions about them regarding how good they are in teaching children how to read is definitely an issue I never thought about before. But it is definitely an extremely important point to consider.

Day Five

Reading Buddy Orientation Reflection 9/29/06

Child Abuse (Mandated Reporters) Training
. . . . . shocked. upset. emotional. disgusted. sad. motivated. compelled to make a difference. worried. speechless. thought-filled mind. resistant. accepting. skeptical. scared. confused. . . . . .