Wow... answering the question of what I have learned this semester would take a really long time because I feel I have learned so much in such a short period of time. Some of the specific things I have learned are the importance of classroom workshops (Chapter 5 of Daniels and Bizar), the importance of students working cooperatively in small groups (Chapter 4 of Daniels and Bizar), how to make reading a thinking process (Chapter 2 of Daniel and Bizar), and much more. All of the above mentioned elements of instruction are very important and I plan to incorperate all of them in a better manner when the 2011-2012 school year begins and throughout the semester.
Now, to one of the most important things I have learned this semester other than what I have read and learned from our texts... I have learned so much about myself this semester. I feel as though I have a voice and as I enter this upcoming year I plan to use that voice. I also realized that I have more technology abilities than I thought. My teammates, for the intergrated unit, gave me the nickname of Techno Pup and by the time we were done with our unit I actually felt I had earned the title. One thing I have struggled with during graduate school and throughout most of my life is having confidence in my abilities and I am very happy to say that this semester has given me some much needed confidence. I was able to realize some areas of teaching that I implement well and also was able to see some ways in which I can become an even better teacher. Instead of being down on myself for the things that need to be changed, I have gained a sense of excitement for what the future will hold. I imagine a classroom in which students are actively engaged; A classroom where learning occurs a level far beyond the textbook. I am so excited to implement the strategy of jigsaw reading in my classroom versus my students just reading in groups, having students to make portfolies as a source of assessment versus a test, and most of all integrating content in a manner that's seamless. By this I mean all content will be integrated to reach a common purpose.
If you can't tell by now... I AM REALLY EXCITED about the change that is going to occur due to all of my classmates and I working together, as a group, to emphasis the need for integration and authenticity in the classroom! Together, we are going to be able to make things different instead of same old, same old.
