Thoughts about EDUC 338

How did eight weeks go by so fast?

This course was wonderful for me. It was my first time using Blackboard and having a hybrid class, first time using a microphone to communicate with my peers, and my first time making lesson plans with reading strategies. I am so glad that creating 10 lesson plans was on the agenda for this class because I feel that most of my learning came from figuring out how to effectively incorporate reading strategies into any content lesson.

Dr. Steffes is an awesome teacher. I was nervous about having technical difficulties and the teacher not being friendly or understanding, but Dr. Steffes is the total opposite. I love how laid back she is and how she does such a small portion of lecturing; most of our class time is spent discussing, which is great!

I love using reading strategies in lesson plans now because they truly help students learn the material and to be able to communicate their thoughts and ideas through these strategies.

I just finished my fieldwork in a second grade classroom and taught my lesson TODAY. I was so nervous that I forgot to eat today (which NEVER happens). Ha. I love food. Anyway, the lesson went really well and the students were on their best behavior. I was sad to leave them for the last time. We used exit slips as our reading strategy and the students were to choose a stage of a turkey's life cycle and write an exit slip about it. Then, they were to come up to the board and place their sticky note under the appropriate life cycle stage. It worked out well and I was so relieved.

One more day of finals and we are done, guys. I cannot wait to move back home and eat my parents' food for three months. I hope you all have a great summer! I am going to take EDUC 337 with Dr. Steffes this summer, so I may see some of you.

Mollie