In class today Frances had us play a game called Barnga in 3 groups.
Our group was composed of our literature circle group. Frances handed out the rules to the different groups and told us to
review them in our group, we did. One of the rules was no talking, that rule in itself made the game difficult. half the fun
of games like these is to be able to talk trash and goof around with each other. Once the game began in was interesting to
see other people myself included try to communicate nonverbally. It was interesting to watch people try and nonverbally explain
rules to other people, I started once but gave up and just went with how that particular group was playing. I almost forgot
in our lit circle we continued to read our books, it wasnt my turn to read so I just sat back and relaxed there is nothing
like someone reading to you it's soooo relaxing.
Todays class we started with some lit circle reading. The group I am
in is reading The Prince of/in the Pond (i don't have the book in front of me). Again it's not my turn to read so I get to
sit back and listen and relax, oh how nice. After we finished reading we went back to class to discuss what we were going
to do at Apache with Mrs. Bradshaws class. The first part of the project was for us to start thinking of some type of family
history poem. Some of the ideas I jotted down were dinner anytime at my grandmas house when I was young it was always fun
playing with cousins big meal etc. The next ideas I had revolved around camping trips when I was young and also when my wife
and I took our kids. I had other ideas but I went with camping so I started to write down ideas about different camping trips.
Todays class I was in charge of doing the post on the UNM blog.
Today we started at Animas Elementary School in Charlotte Bradshaws class.
The class began with Charlotte giving us some pointers on getting the kids we will be working with to share their stories
with us. If I remember correctly the point was to listen and begin building a relationship. I was fortunate to have a couple
of great kids who had no problem talking with me and sharing their family stories with me. After Animas we met back at the
UNM classroom to discuss our future plans and goals at Animas for the family history project. Frances brought back some snacks
from her trip to Philadelphia, she should bring snacks every class session, I know I enjoyed them. Thanks again Frances. I
believe we agreed as a class to meet at Kiwanis Park this week October 3rd after Charlottes class. I hope Jilliain gets the
message because she has our groups book. Anyway that's all I have written down or remember so I'll see everyone tomorrow.
Yeah Tyson I did my highlight Wednesday night at 8:30, I'm no procrastinator and if anyone believes that load of crap. Can
I say crap? Just kidding we already talked about that. See Ya tomorrow.
Class started out today at Apache with Mrs. Bradshaw and her students. After a synopsis of what
was going to take place over the next few class meetings we grouped with the students we would be working with. This meeting
was to get comfortable with each other and begin to develop a resionship with our students. I was fortunate to work with a
couple of great kids. I instigated some of the talk today but mostll I just listened and gave my opinion occasionally. I liked
the idea of them writing down several ideas and then narrowing down their ideas from that point. Once they had a couple of
ideas they developed them further with idea webs. Today both students were excited talkative and working pretty well. The
male student I am working with is constantly moving, pencil twirling, feet tapping etc. The girl that I am working with is
polite, happy and a joy to work with. After Mrs. Bradshaws class we went back to UNM and discussed what was happening so far
at Apache. I forgot to write down what happened in class but I think we had some cakes Frances brought us back from her trip
to Philly.
Today started at Apache with our students. We went down and worked in the community room at Apache,
that's where they wanted to go work. I think what we are doing is a great learning experience for everyone involved. We worked
some more on getting to a final and interesting topic for each of our family history stories. Again the female student was
happily working, laughing at our ideas and getting her work done. She almost was over flowing with ideas once she got her web
going. The male student was again standing, leaning in his chair and generally bouncing around. Today he was somewhat closed
minded on his writing and the work he wanted to put into it. Once he did his word web he did not want to change, add or give
any extra effort into his web. He had the attitude of I'm done and thats all you are going to get me to do today. After Mrs.
Bradshaws we met at IHOP read our lit circle books and then discussed some of the text book. I believe that we also discussed
some of the articles Frances had previously handed out.
Today at Apache we worked roughly an hour with our students. Our grouop went down the hall again,
I think they like to work somewhere different. After a quick review of what our goal was we all began to start actually writing
our stories. Today the male student had a great attitude was happy and glad to be writing. He had even more details to add
to his web once he started writing. I thought he acted a little shy and a little akward, I wonder why I hope I didn't make
him feel that way. I don't think I did. Again the female studentwas writing like mad about her family trip, detail upon detail.
She seems so well adjusted, confident and relaxed. I have noticed my male students fondness for drawing, I told him we are
going to get to illustrate our stories once they are done. I bet he could have illustrated an then written his story. My story
is strating to take shape but it can be difficult to focus on my writing and watch and help my students but I'm working on
it. After Apache we met to discuss our mid terms continue with lit circles and general class discussion. It amazes me how
many people need to be told exactly what and how to do their mid-terms and other general stuff, It's amazing how much time
is wasted...Holy Crap..oops I'm not sure if I can say that...moving on.
Todays class was very interesting to say the least. Our group met with another group to read our
stories to each other and give each other stars and wishes. I think the process went well, it's always interesting to read
what you have written out-loud your story either works and sounds good or you can tell it instantly needs more detail. My
female students story was to detailed and my male students story was not detailed enough, I'm glad they got stars and wishes
from other people I think it really helped. After Apache we met at IHOP and read in our lit circles and ate of course.
This week we were not required to meet with our students at Apache but I think most of us did anyway. I met with
my students for an hour or so to reiew again with them the timeline we are working under. For some reason they don't seem
to be as nervous as I am about the time consraints. Anyway all of our stories are almost finished and ready to be illustrated.
I gave copies to my students so they could look over and finish their work over the weekend if needed and that I would oick
them up Monday and have them typed so they could illustrate them in class and during Thursdays meeting time. I think we are
pretty well set and almost ready to publish.
Ricky Lee Allens
visit,
One of the surprising things you notice about Dr. Allen is that he is a white guy talking about racial prejudice,
I guess I had the sterotypical picture in my head of a person of color giving this type of lecture. I enjoyed the lecture
more after the break when one lady left and the other guy was basically told to be quiet. It's amazing to me how much peolpe
think they know and are not willing to listen to someone else speak. Everyone does'nt have to agree with what he is saying
but people should have the courtesy to listen to what he has to say, I mean he is a professor at UNM. I didnt agree with everything
he said but he did say some things that made me think. As a white male I'm sure I take things for granted that a person of
color might see as a privilege. I was always taught and have taught my kids to treat people like you want to be treated but
as a white person I might get better treatment and privilege just because of my skin color, I'm not sure but it has probably
happened. It amazed me how many people got so worked up at our Dr. Allen discussion the following week. If people in our
small group can get so worked up about discussing white privilege it's no wonder that society can be they way it is. People
don't always have to agree with each other but in my experience if you listen with an open mind you usually gain something
from the conversation, discussion, lecture, etc. I enjoyed Dr. Allens visit and the class discussion we had after his visit.
By the way Frances I think the written question and answer format you had us do worked very
well because it appeared to me that some people in class were incapable of discussing his visit calmly.
Today we met at Apache with our students to go over and prepare their final family history stories.
Over the weekend my female student worked on shortening her story and adding some detail. My male student had his story fairly
well completed, they both had copies to work with not the green folders. We all took turns reading our stories out loud with
each other and with other groups close to us. I asked them a few questions so I could include an about the author page and
a dedication page. After they both made a few minor changes in their stories I had them put in page breaks where they wanted
to draw illustrations, both of them had several. Now it was my turn to get their stories ready to publish and my finalized
and put on my web page. After class we met at IHOP. It was my turn to finally read from our lit circle book. I'm not the greatest
at reading out loud so the more practice I can get the better. We also discussed the White Teachers, Indian Children in our
lit circle groups. To me the article makes complete sense, anytime you can teach things that your group of students can relate
to the better off your students will be. When you can include local cultures and history into your class I think students
will relate much better, not that you shouldn't teach about the world as a whole but teaching relateable material should build
a good foundation. a great article that teachers should remember especially if they are in culturally diverse areas.
Todays class is the final time we have to work with our students. Both
of my students have been working on their illustrations during the week in Mrs. Bradshaws class so they had very little left
to do. After they made a few additions to their illustrations we practiced reading our stories to each other. My male student
was full o energy and I believe glad to be done with his story, once he makes his mind up about his work it's hard to get
him to add anything extra. My female student as always worked diligently on adding and putting some finishing touches on her
story. Both of my students throughout this process worked well and enjoyed the assignmnt from start to finish. I think the
exciting part for them will be when they get their completed bound book.
Todays
class was the final meeting with our students before the family night. Both of my students and I think everyone was pretty
excited to see the completed books. I'm sure Frances and the editors were happy to have that step behind them too. The students
each took turns reading their stories in front of the class, I hope they have some more time to practice but they all did
a pretty good job. I liked hearing all the different stories each student created and the illustrations completed the books
nicely. Once each student had a turn reading class time was over, oh how time can fly by. After our time at Apache we met
as a class at Red Lobster, nice suggestion Heather, thank you. Our lit circle group almost finished The Prince of the Pond
but not quite, never enough time. We discussed our last class meeting and what we needed to have done and ready to share.
I can't believe the semester is almost finished but I'm ready for Christmas break.
I
would like to discuss reconceptualism in class to make sure I understand it. If I understand it correctly I think that I'm
in agreement with some of it's ideas but not all of them. If your teaching math isn't there a correct answer?
THE END
