Reflecting on a Memoir and My Writing Process

I began my memoir by first writing a list of possible topics. After I narrowed that list down, I ended up choosing a topic I was hesitant to choose. However, after I began writing the story, I was happy with my decision. I chose to write about my mom and my childhood. Even though it is a little depressing,, the story began to write itself. I found myself wording things in a way I never could before. I was able to elaborate on certain memories by giving a lot of detail, which I never really knew how to do. In addition, I was able to express to a few others about my life growing up. I never use to talk about my mothers situation, but now, I find it therapeutic.

By the end of my memoir, I felt confident that I had included the six traits of writing. I am the most proud of my “flow” because I could never really do that before. After sharing my memoir, I felt confidant that I did a good job. The only suggestions that I really had were to make a good title. I came up with the title, “Sometimes Ignorance is Bliss.”

After doing this writing process, I have found myself a much more confident writer. I am more comfortable with using the six traits of writing and it comes a little more naturally to me. The most valuable thing that I have learned from writing this memoir is that details are what makes a good paper.

I also made a digital story, which wasn’t as easy. I started using VoiceThread. I didn’t like this tool, and apparently, you cannot add music to this tool anyway. So then, I tried to use MovieMaker, which was actually on my friend’s computer. I thought that this would be the best tool because I could add music, it was free, and it seemed easy. Well I was wrong. After messing around with this tool for about 2 hours, I decided to give up. I couldn’t add music, I couldn’t customize my pictures, and it was not easy. So, I finally used Roxio PhotoShow. Once again, I thought this process would be much easier. I started adding all the photos, then it said that I couldn’t add more than 24 without paying. So I got rid of some of my photos. Then I started customizing my photos. I realized that I had to pay $40.00 to add certain songs to my PhotoShow. By this point, I became a little frustrated, so I just paid the $40.00 and tried to continue. Well, that didn’t work. I had to buy that and then I had to buy “PenPal” as well. I decided I would just add words to parts of my memoir and use the music that Roxio provided for free. What a headache! Anyway, after all the hassle, I finally finished it, here is my digital draft.

Another Lesson Learned

 

 

Someone once said, “You learn something new everyday.” If anyone thinks differently, I’d beg to differ. I realize I have much to learn when it comes to teaching, but it is the little things that separate an experienced teacher from an inexperienced one. Today I was observing my co-op. I thought I had mastered most of the “little things” that mattered. So, when she asked me to read a few chapters from a novel, I thought, “yeah no biggy,” but I was wrong. I had only a few minutes to review the text before reading it. Those few minutes helped, but not quite enough. I began reading while sitting on a stool in front of the class. I have a little tickle in my throat, so before I started, I put a cough drop in. When I began reading, I instantly realized that this was a bad idea. I ended up drooling on myself half way through the first page. On top of that, I was wearing a skirt! Now, this skirt was long enough, but to sit comfortably on a stool in front of class, while drooling, I instantly regretted my decision.

After a few pages of trying to get comfortable, I decided I should stand up and walk around. I didn’t think this would be so difficult. I don’t know if it was because I’m not use to reading and walking, or if it was because I was trying to keep an eye on the clock, or if it was because I was distracted by the little things going on in the classroom, but I ended up stumbling a few times. I quickly decided that the stool was my best friend.

By this time, my cough drop had finally dissolved, and I had finally found a perfect place on my stool, but I noticed my students’ were not as involved in the reading as I had hoped. I couldn’t blame them. I never was a big fan of listening to a teacher read out loud. I had to do something. Before continuing on to the next chapter, I decided to review the material that I had just read. Success at last! I asked a few questions that somehow refocused my students. I also became a bit more confident and comfortable with reading and I could put more emotion into the story. By the end of the next chapter I was reading much better. But, I had no idea that is would take so much practice.

After the reading lesson, I started working on an english lesson. I outlined my ideas and shared them with my co-op. I told her that I planned on writing sentences on the board and having students underline the adjectives in each. She then pointed out a small, but crucial point. She told me to write the sentences before the class began, or to have them already written on sentence strips. This small suggestion will make a huge difference during a lesson, and I hadn’t even thought about it!

After completing an outline of my lesson, I began really observing her room. Sure, I noticed the posters on the walls before, the alphabet above the chalkboard, and the students’ names on the back of their seats, but this woman had it all! I mean, there were bulletin boards that are created weekly, new themes in her classroom every time I came in, and a library full of books, magazines, and dictionaries. This made me realize how much time, effort, and money my co-op put into the appearance of her classroom alone! I am impressed to say the least.

After today, I learned yet again, another important lesson… PREPARE, PREPARE, PREPARE… and of course… BE CREATIVE!

Expect the Unexpected

Growing up, I have always wanted to teach. I love the positive atmosphere and I love learning. However, I did not realize how much work is actually involved! Sure, I had some what of an understanding of classroom routines, preparation, and good classroom management, but I didn’t realize how much effort those things required. In the past few weeks I had the opportunity to observe a sixth grade teacher; this really opened my eyes.

The first thing that I noticed is her classroom routines. Every morning when her students’ arrive, they sign up for lunch, go to their lockers, and sit in their assigned seats. In her class, she had a unique way of taking the lunch count. She had a pie chart on a side board. The sections are labeled as “packed lunch, regular lunch, and alternative lunch.” Next to the chart was a bucket of clothes pins, each pin labeled with a students’ name. When the students’ would enter the room, they would place their cloths pin on the section of the pie chart indicating what lunch they were having. This was an easy way to take roll and to take lunch count. Another routine that caught my eye was how she dismissed her class. She would have her students’ line up at the door and she would dismiss them, not the bell. I always knew that routines were important, but I never sat down and thought about what routines I would have. By observing this teacher, I was able to experience a few that I could adopt in the future.

The preparation that took place was incredible. She would begin by explaining what the students’ were going to do that period, lecture, and then assessed by doing some activity. It was evident that the lessons were thoroughly thought out because she never stumbled over her words and the class always ran smoothly. The thing that I was the most impressed with was how she handled the unexpected. When students’ would get off topic, she had techniques to redirect them. When a student asked a bizarre question, she answered the question appropriately and it never distracted her. When certain students’ would fall behind, she would aid them as needed. Her lessons were so effective because they were well prepared, yet flexible.

The thing that I observed that was the most beneficial was her classroom management style. It was obvious that her students’ knew what is expected. However, when a behavior problem occurred, she handled it accordingly. She ignored little behavior issues that weren’t disrupting the entire class, and corrected bigger issues immediately. This helped me understand what behavior problems to address and which to ignore. In addition, she evaluated each situation before taking action.

My observations have been extremely beneficial, but frightening. Soon, I will be teaching this group of students’ and I feel that I am not yet ready. discipline and handling unexpected behaviors are my biggest concerns. I hope that by the time that I will be teaching I will be ready for anything. The biggest lesson that I have learned from my observations is always expect the unexpected.

 

Creating a Memoir

As you all may know, I am in Middle Level Match Education. Although I am math concentrated, this major requires future teachers to take all the subject areas that “middlers” learn, including science, social studies, reading, and writing. Currently, I am taking a language arts class that focus’ on teaching language arts using technology. This class is probably the most important class for me, as a struggle with writing and technology. One of our assignments is to create a memoir. We have to pick an event that has happened in our lives and write about it using the six characteristics of writing. We also have to create a digital example of this event using VoiceThread. For me, coming up with a topic has proven most challenging. I am having a difficult time deciding on a story that is light-hearted, yet interesting. I started brainstorming a few ideas and this is what I have considered.

My first idea was to write about how I had a pet slug when I was young and how devastated I was when my sister killed it. Although this could be fun to write about, I don’t think I could come up with enough information to make it as interesting as anticipated. My second thought was writing about my pet cat, Cuddles, who would follow my sister and I to the bus stop everyday, and be there at 3:20 to pick us up every afternoon. I loved Cuddles, but, once again, I don’t think I could elaborate enough to make it an interesting read. I thought about a few other topics, but each one posed the same problem.

I finally decided that I would have to write about my mom. When we first got this assignment, I knew I would probably end up writing about her, but I really wanted to avoid this topic because it is a bit depressing. However, it is the best candidate for an interesting story. Growing up, I never had an ideal childhood. My mother and father were both “sick” and I was exposed to things that a child should never witness. Even though my childhood was troubling, my experiences have molded me into the motivated, driven, and independent adult I am today. I believe that by overcoming my past, I have become a much stronger person. Although I have concerns about sharing my story with my peers, I feel it will be beneficial for me to express myself and for others to get an understanding of where I’m from.

To create my digital story, I tried using VoiceThread. I added a few pictures to help tell my story, but I have a lot more to do before I am finished. I am considering using a different tool, but for now, click here for a rough draft.