Last of the Semester

At first, I couldn't possibly understand why I needed a class based on literacy when my subject area is math. I quickly realized how much apart of math literacy really is. I didn't realize how much work could be done in such a class either, but learning how students learn and different approaches to get them to participate and think critically have now become important roles that I need to incorporate into my classroom. I've learned the different types of literacy - it doesn't just apply to something like english. Literacy can include computers, music, art, etc. - it doesn't just apply to words.

It was a great idea to have all of us share different lessons we would like to do with our students from our unit plans. Because they applied literacy, I think it's possible for many of those different activities to be interdisciplinary.

The hypertext activity was a real eye-opener, and I would like to try that with a group of mature high school students to see how they will react.

Thank you for a wonderful and incredibly insightful class, Dr. Dana!

last post

This class has taught me the possibilities of a literacy involved inter-disciplinary unit. I now am filled with new ideas for future unit plans that will involve traditional phys. ed. concepts with more of an educational value. I think this class has opened up my eyes and looking back would not say that I feel I did not get to learn something that I wanted prior to coming into this course.

what I learn in this class

I think this class was great, I didn't think this class was going to be this good just because the title of the class. I feelgood now about reading because Dr. Dana made feel good when she said that we all good readers because we read daily and reading can be fun when you willing to it. reading does seem as bad now after taking this course. But I do think schools need to get rid of those textbooks that nobody could understand. In this class I learned that we use and need literacy in our daily lives. We need to integrate technology in to our classes because the upcoming generations will be so knowledgeable about technology, it would be a great way to teach and get students involve in our classes. Technology is playing a big role on how and what we read in our daily lives.

Last Post :(

I really want to say that by taking this course I feel a bit more comfortable in being able to go up in a crowd of people and teach about a subject that I truly enjoy. Even though I might not be in a classroom setting all the time with being a physical educator, I feel that many things that I learned in this classroom will greatly benefit me in a good way. I now have an awareness in what different ways one could process information or as what we like to call it learning. I have the opportunity not only to teach students how to be healthy but I have the chance of making a positive impact on someones life. I really enjoyed coming to class every week and discussing very interesting topics that surround our field. I really like seeing the variety of teaching methods especially with the rise of technology it will be amazing to see what new tools us teachers can use.

thank you,

last post

It is only fitting that I am posting this final blog late. I had a hard time keeping up with the blog all semester, I would forget to post or not be able to and most of my posts were late so it is only right that this final one is as well.

I enjoyed this semester. I enjoyed working on the unit plan and thinking about how to incorporate literacy into the lessons. Literacy is important and it was good to learn more techniques to use to implement literacy.

The one thing I did not like, actually two, is posting to this blog and using the wiki. My connection at home to the internet is slow so it would take a long time to load wiki and blogger so many times I would get frustrated and give up. Despite those two little things, I enjoyed the class and enjoyed meeting people from all majors.

thank you for a good semester

I've been reading your blog posts and thinking about how hard this class is, initially, for all of us to get our heads around. It's the most diverse class I teach, in terms of including every kind of teacher major (or almost), and the connections to literacy are much clearer in some cases than others. What I appreciated so much about this class was that you were willing to look at literacy in different ways, making new connections to your subject field that I think will enrich you as teachers.

I know that made this class a challenge, especially for some, and I always respect those who meet a challenge head on. I think a lot of you are this way, and that aspect alone will help you be the expert teachers you will become. I also tried some new things in this class, like a class blog instead of individual ones and although some of you struggled with that as well as the wiki, you were all willing to give it a shot. So thank you.

My best wishes for the holiday season and a new year.
Dr. Dana

The Final Stretch

I would have to say I had a lot of fun in this class. I still remember our first day of class back in September like it was yesterday (chills). All I kept wondering was what the hell is this class going to be about. I must say I learned so much in this class. I never had such a diverse class when it comes to subject matters. I am normally am in all PE classes with PE majors so I only knew PE students. To get back to my point I had a great time hearing and learning what other students in different majors had to say about teaching, and literacy, and most importantly their philosophies. Reading was not my for tee which was announced on the first day, but since then I also declared how I wanted to change that. I learned Reading and Writing is for anyboy especially children/students. Even though I already knew the importance of Reading but now I have an even better picture of it. With out doubt I will always encourage my students to read and because of this class I have a sharper, more clever approach to inspiring them. There really were not any bad things I did not like about the class, just that I really wanted to hear someone sing the Tea-Pot song at least once. So before I depart I want to once again thank everyone in the class, my PE crew, and my new friends in the Arts, Science, Music, English, History, and Math departments. Thank you again Dr. Wilber and everyone have a safe and hopefully mentally long month off.