Portfolio Assignment

1. Portfolio Assignment Suzie Samaniego EDRL 442

2. Literacy Rich Environment In my classroom, I would like to have a reading corner where the kids can go and read. This area would have a few bookshelves with hundred of books for the children to choose from, or they could read their books that they have for their reading groups. I would also have a rug and maybe some little bean bag chairs for the kids to sit on. For the rest of the room I would have posters about reading and writing on the walls. I would have a specific bulletin board for reading with books that we have read or books that the children have read. The students’ completed work would also be on bulletin boards and on the walls.

3. Schedule for Reading and Language Arts Reading 110 min: -75 min for reading groups -5 groups at 15 minutes each When groups aren’t with the teacher at their reading groups, they will be working independently on another assignment. -35 minutes for whole group instruction (ex: whole group reading and review/comprehension) Writing 48 min: -10 min for D.O.L -20 min for review of previous lesson and intro into new lesson -18 min for independent work, Q&A, etc.

4. Techniques and Procedures for Managing Literacy groups and centers Techniques: -Teaching time management -recognizing things to do in a set time period. -Once set assignment is complete, moving on to another assignment that needs to be completed. Procedures: - Saying reading group time -Students break into groups -Once settled, break out materials and start lessons.

5. Philosophies Whole group: It’s easier time wise and classroom management wise because you have everyone Together. You know (as the teacher) know each students level, but it’s harder to challenge the lesson as a whole group. Small group: It’s easy to focus on certain learning levels in smaller groups. As a teacher, learning how to work in small groups and manage the class at the same time can be challenging at times.

6. Independent Work Time: Easy class management, easier to challenge because it isn’t a whole group, yet the teacher needs to stay on top of what their students are doing. Homework: Homework should be assigned weekly and not an overwhelming amount. I believe that it should be graded as a participation, not an actual grade because once it leaves the classroom, you as the teacher can’t be certain who actually did the homework.

7. Showcasing Student Work Projects will be presented in class, in front of the class. Their projects will be on a poster board. Group projects or any other “special assignments” will be posted on the bulletin boards outside the classroom and in the hallway around our room. I believe that posting students work in the classroom is important because it develops a sense of belonging. If their work is displayed in the room, it becomes THEIR classroom that they can be proud to be a part of rather than just another room.

8. Lesson Plan Elements Key Elements: Summary Objectives Procedure Assessment References and Materials

9. Family involvement I will send out a news letter every week with their homework packet. In the letter, it will explain what is going on in the class for that upcoming week. Also, if there is a major event coming up (field trip, school event, etc.). I will ask for parent involvement and encourage their involvement when it comes time.

10. Collaborating with other teachers Other teachers have different ideas, different ways of doing things. Maybe you are doing something that isn’t working in your room, if you see another teacher doing something different, STEAL IT! There is nothing wrong with helping each other out, not just with classroom management issues, but you can group with a teacher on a particular lesson/project as well.

11. Desire to teach I want to be a teacher for that light bulb moment. I’ve seen it happen before when I’ve volunteered and student taught in a classroom, and to me, there is nothing more rewarding. I also want to teach because I want to be there for the kids. Teaching is not about the money obviously. It is about making a difference and impacting children in a positive way that they will remember.