September 16th- Ashlock Training

I went to the first day of Ashlock Training. It went well and I learned a lot. i know that we will not be able to implement everything, but there are many steps and methods that may prove beneficial. We have one more day of training next week (Thursday).

Essentially the training implements a 10-15 minutes segment of regimental learning and reading strategies in which children learn how to read "new" words through phonics (phonetics), patterns, sound blends, etc. The teacher uses charts of words, sounds and multisybalic words to reinforce the learning process by demonstrating the new words, adding in old words with similar sound text and repetition.

These are the same basic methods that were used to teach me to read when I was a child, just put in a more direct regimented approach.

September 14th

I found out today that our school is in worse shape from an educational point of view than first thought. We are now classified as a "school in crisis" which means that changes are coming to make up for lapses in the proficiencies of the children. They seem to really want me to be a part of the group and I have been offered Ashlock Training as well as another reading program. Ashlock I know I can do. It is more of a regimental/instructional program that is supposed to support and build the reading strategies of the children.

My first training will be Thursday. I thought long and hard about this process and am excited to implement a new plan. i know this plan is not always the most desirable method of learning, but I have been told that for ESL/ELL that it will help with their proficiency.

September 6-10

I had ear surgery last week to fix a hearing deficiency in my right ear. While the surgery was less evasive than originally planned, the process is still a bit painful. The pain medication has made being in the classroom a bit interesting this past week as I have a hard time focusing and keep my train of thought. I am not careless or unable to do my work, but as I look back at the end of the day to fill out my journal, I can't remember why I wrote certain things in my notes to remind me what I am supposed to be doing.

The children are fascinated with my stitches which is both a good talking point, but with those children that can be hard to keep on track, it can be a distraction.

By the end of the week, I was off my meds and dealing with the pain, it made my work easier but my ear is still adjusting to "hearing" and is throbbing by days end from the sound overload.

Welcoming Board

We put together a couple of boards for our class. I have been trying to figure out how to post them since the hall is not big enough. Mr. Foster is very big on math so one of the boards is focused towards math. On that board we had the children make shields with a self portrait in the middle, who they see themselves in school, with their family, friends and something they like to do or are good at.

The other board is a class board with another self portrait of themselves and an anagram using their name that they created.

August 26

Today went well. We began our social studies unit in which we are doing geography. Mr. Foster has encouraged me to take charge of this study which I have done. I lead the class for the unit and felt that I did a good job and kept up the pace. Mr. Foster sat in the back of the class and took some of the children that have problems staying on task to help them do better.

I don't really think I have anything negative to say about today. I do know that I need to work on my voice because after speaking none stop for over an hour, my throat was dry and my voice strained. I need to have water on hand so I can take a sip between instruction.

August 25

Today the little girl that has been giving us problems had a good day! It is amazing how much smoother the day went by! I am not entirely sure what made the change in her; we did move the children around at the desks to better accommodate some of the personalities and I also tried to set goals to make her more positive by giving her smaller goals and then praise as she accomplished them.

There are some issues to be dealt with when it comes to children getting up from their seats to get a drink or go to the restroom. I understand the need to control as much distraction and getting the children to get the work done, but we ended up with a boy who peed his pants.

I feel that the expectation of bathroom breaks needs to be made more clear. For example, stop and go to the bathroom on the way to or from recess. With this set time mid way through the day, I think it will help with bathroom and class disruptions.

August 23

This day went faster. We moved along with the full lineup of subjects. We did not get everything done as the children were not fully up to speed with the routine. I took a couple of centers during language arts working on our focus skills for the week doing dividing words, compound words/syllables.

There is one child that is frustrating me. She is a constant distraction to the other children. Mr. Foster is going to look into her IEP from her former school.

I need to focus on her positives and let her be less of a distraction to myself when I am leading and teaching.