Inquiries

From the first time I started thinking about a topic I really want to learn about this semester, I have been overwhelmed with ideas.  There are so many things that I want to learn about to make teaching literacy as genuine and significant as possible.  However, I knew I needed to pick one thing to focus on.

I am really interested in figuring out the best ways to connect with students through literacy.  I really believe that in order for students to reach their learning potential teachers need to find different ways to really reach their students.  When I think about it realistically though, I image myself bringing a lesson that I think will really help me connect with students and help make their learning more genuine.  And then I image that same lesson completely failing when it’s actually attached to students.  So I want to figure out different ways to do this that are genuine and will actually be successful.

Because I’ve never looked into this or really read anything about education other than what I have read in my classes I’m not sure what scholars I will be reading in order to really learn about how to reach students.  If anyone has any suggestions, please send them my way!  I think that something specific that I would like to investigate is reaching students by connecting literacy to real life.  I think I will be trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t with the students I work with in my practicum classroom.  From working with them I have learned that they are much more focused on the lesson and engaged when they are interested in the lesson.  I am going to try to develop lessons that I think my students will be excited to learn about and really look at the differences of the connections that students make. 

The main question I want to consider is, How can I help students make connections from literacy to their real lives in ways that are authentic and make sense?  I don't want to force it because then I don't think that students will make deep, meaningful connections that will stay with her.  I'm kind of all over the place with this idea and curiosity right now.  I think that as I look into it and read about it, I will be able to focus in and really figure out exactly what I want to know.

Until then!

Kate