Celebrating 364 Unbirthdays

Review on the Three Week Training

2006-10-13T22:52:00.000-04:00

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)

2006-10-13T13:20:00.000-04:00

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)

2006-10-12T00:38:00.000-04:00

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)

2006-10-11T13:24:00.000-04:00

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)

2006-10-11T12:39:00.000-04:00

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)

2006-10-05T13:26:00.000-04:00

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)

2006-10-04T12:45:00.000-04:00

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)

2006-10-03T15:10:00.000-04:00

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

2006-09-29T14:38:00.000-04:00

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. . . . . .

Day Four

2006-09-28T15:45:00.000-04:00

Reading Buddy Orientation Reflection 9/28/06

This workshop has something new to offer everyday! Today, I was introduced to a bit more of what it would be like to actually start Reading Buddy sessions. The "awareness, knowledge, understanding" principles Dr. Rosa mentioned had already taken me into a lot of thinking and being aware of different things.
My being a minority in the States means one thing. Being rediscovered as a minority again but in a whole new way by the children I will encounter is definitely going to mean something quite different and, I think, interesting. It will be difficult, confusing and frustrating. But hopefully, all the energy and emotional rollercoast will eventually end up to something fruitful for both the kids and me.
My teaching personal philosophy emphasizes the importance of the teacher as more than just a information giver. It does not matter so much for a college journalism professor, a dance teacher at a ballet institute or a golf trainer to a 30 year old man. Teachers simply teach so that the students know more about something or do something well. On the other hand, to a language learner, especially the young ones, my belief is that a teacher is a guide, a counselor, a helper, a rooter, a friend. The teacher is someone who the child comes to talk about himself, opens up and shares his feelings and build trust in. An ESL teacher for a young ESL learner is like a second parent away from home. This is because a child who is so vulnerable and "lost" in the setting he is thrown in desperately needs such a figure. Often times, these children have no friends in school, cannot connect to other teachers and feel helpless not understanding anything they do in class. That's how much important of a role, I think, an ESL teacher can play. This is one of the biggest reasons why I came into the field of TESOL and is what I am most interested in.
Now, having this opportunity to be a reading buddy, it strikes me like thunder how perfect this program fits my personal philosophy as I learn more about what the program and what I will be doing! Though the program is already very special in terms of reaching out into the community, I know it's also going to be personally very very very special. This is sooooooooooooooooooooo exciting!!!

Day Three

2006-09-28T15:09:00.000-04:00

Reading Buddy Orientation Reflection 9/27/06

Today's exercise was, to me, "putting myself in the kids shoes" when reading to/with them. I was once an ESL student myself who did not know the meaning of the words I copied off the blackboard and did not know the meaning of the words I repeated after a teacher off a page in a book. Reading, and therefore, teaching how to read, is much more than sounding out words on a page. Though such point is and should be an obvious one for any ESL teacher, it was a valuable time reminding myself of the importance of making reading more than JUST reading. The purpose of my meeting with the kids is only fulfilled when the reading is meaningful to the kids in a very personal level.

Day Two

2006-09-28T14:40:00.000-04:00

Reading Buddy Orientation Reflection 9/26/06

This was a great opportunity to really know myself. And in turn, a chance to learn how to take advantage of my assets and turn my weaknesses into strengths so I can use them in teaching others. I know that this is only the beginning and that more amazing things will happen as I work through this program and start interacting with kids. I had taught kids before and was always wondering what more I have to do to promote their learning. I hadn’t realized it until I started this program that it's really important to look into the personality factors of myself as well as the students’. What I might have overlooked through all this time is that the teachers' vibe, though positive and well-intended, can actually hinder children's learning if how they conduct their actions conflicts with their own personalities. Consequently, the concern does not stop at the fact that a teacher might have a passionate attitude and a fervent way to go about teaching a child. Teachers also have to always keep in mind with whom and how they should exert what aspect or how much of their personalities to. It is not only the teaching methods and techniques teachers use that should be customized according to learners with different learning style. Truly professional teachers will also customize themselves for the learners according to what kind of a teacher the student might work best with.

about the TITLE of my blog...

2006-09-26T11:37:00.000-04:00

There are 365 days in a year. Everyone celebrates his/her birthday once every 365 days. My life motto is to live the rest of 364 days as if everyday was as special as my birthday.