Literacy Log/Progress Note/Weekly Reflection

MY LITERACY GOALS:

1. Read one (maybe two) full-length nonfiction selection-

Peters, W. (1971). A Class Divided. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc.

Codell, E.R. (2001). Educating Esme. North Carolina: Algonquin Books.

2. Read the Des Moines Register and/or the Cedar Rapids Gazette regularly to catch up on current events taking place.

3. Take the time to read beneficial ASCD SmartBrief articles.

Messages posted to the Association to the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development's ASCD SmartBrief electronic
mailing list, subscription available through http://www.smartbrief.com/ascd/

4. Take the time to reread materials and certain sections from chapters, articles, or links that clarify confusing concepts or that stimulate
my thinking.

9/19/06 Progress note:

Today I began reading the novel titled, A Class Divided. I remember watching a video clip about the discrimination
lesson that this book is based on in Human Relations class. I have only read about one-third of the book, but I find it
very interesting thus far. It is amazing how Jane Elliott changed her lesson plans and objectives because an important
event that took place the night before. She used the unexpected murder of Martin Luther King to teach an important
discrimination lesson to her students.She took on a task that she knew would probably make her students unhappy
and even turn against her for some time. The lesson definitely taught her students a lot about racism/discrimination and
changed their thinking after they experienced discrimination first hand. The lesson Jane taught to her students over two
days made an outstanding and life-long impact on them.It is neat to read about a teacher in Iowa that was flexible and
changed her plans for a day to capitalize on something very important in the lives' of many, after an unexpected event in
history took place. Someday when I have my own class to teach, I need to be flexible and consider changing my lesson
plans, like Jane did if necessary. If something tragic occurs and I can use it asa teachable moment to increase the knowledge
of my students about the particular event or subject, I should.

9/15/06-9/20/06 Weekly Reflection:

As I continue to make time to read for my pleasure almost everyday, I have come to appreciate and love reading even
more. I now realize how much I miss having the time to read materials/texts of my choice. I hope to incorporate literacy
into nearly every lesson I teach because I know how important it truly is. I will make time for my students to read
independently and with others in small groups. I will also set time aside during the week to read aloud to the whole class.
My ultimate goal is for my students to enjoy reading just as much as I do!

I continue to read new and updated articles from the Des Moines Register and SmartBrief. I am learning so many new
and interesting ideas and information from these resources. It is increasing my knowledge of events taking place in other
states as well. In addition to reading these resources,I started reading a shorter novel titled, A Class Divided. I really enjoy
this novel, even though it is different from the original two novels I recorded as my literacy goals. I have only read
one-third of the book at this point, but I find it very interesting. I find it absolutely amazing how a teacher in Iowa capitalized
on a tragic event in history and taught her students about discrimination and allowed them to experience it first hand
for themselves. Jane took her chances with the lesson and it definitely made an outstanding impact on her students and will be
something they will remember for a long time, if not for life. It realize that some day I may be able to do something similar to
this as well. If an unexpected event takes place, I can capitalize on it and use it as a teachable moment, If I allow myself flexibility
as a teacher.