Learning Log Entry 1

My background is in science education - I realized during my student teaching that there is a huge hole where literacy education needs to be addressed in adolescent content specific classrooms. I couldn't teach about velocity differences between primary and secondary earthquake waves when my students were reading at a fourth grade level, didn't know how to approach a graph, and AIS was considered a time to do homework, not work on reading or writing skills.  Thus far, I've identified the problem.  However, I recognize that I am just begining to discover the solutions.

My students should leave my classroom at the end of the year with an appreciation for science, and enhanced reading/writing skills.  There should be time for reading, writing, and sharing ideas through many forms of communication.  I want my students to feel comfortable communicating the sometimes complex points of science through writing.  Writing is a continuous process that evolves and improves with time and practice.  Which is the same as the scientific method: define a topic, brainstorm all that you already know on the topic, propose a question and an answer to your question, approach data collection carefully and fully, determine if the evidence supports or refutes your proposed answer, return to the question to determine continuation.

Even in these first few classes, I can start to see my future classroom taking shape through a lens of writing practice.  Perhaps a classroom website that explores the solar system through student created pages.  Reflection notebooks where students can record questions, new discoveries, or thoughts on a science topic.  Maybe my students will look forward to long answer questions on the Regents instead of the multiple choice...but that might be pushing it.

Welcome!

Ta-Da! My very first post for LTED 618 - Reading Improvement Through Written Expression at Nazareth College!  This blog will develop over the coming semester as a tool for relfection on readings, significant learnings, and thoughts on how writing influences my own reading abilities.