Hmmm...

I'm known in my family for having a freakishly detailed memory. I remember random things from long ago with detail, when my family either doesn't remember or has some vague memory of what I am talking about. For this reason, I have felt awful every time I've posted a blog and not remembered my school days in detail. I just thought I would throw that out there and apologize for my lack of memory - hopefully as I write this, it will all come back to me.

I do remember participating in a literature circle for EDU 255 last semester. I loved the book I read (The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages), and I had an excellent group to read with. I thin literature circles do a great job of teaching responsibility and independence to younger children. I also believe that the independence of a literature circle is what makes it so exciting to students. Okay, I don't have personal experience with this, but I believe that when you give a child an important job, such as the many jobs/responsibilities in a literature circle, he feels important and will work to fulfill his duty. So, of course, these would be some definite pros to literature circles - supporting the development of independence and excitement about reading!

Currently, I observe writer's workshop in a first grade classroom twice a week. I like that the students are able to take time to write on their own. I am a big fan of writing - so I love watching everyone focused on their paper. I think the repetition of writer's workshop throughout the week really helps the students to better understand the process of writing, and it allows them to greatly develop their writing skills.

I think I remember doing a literature focus unit in the 5th grade. I remember reading Number the Stars by Lois Lowry. I also remember learning more about the Holocaust, watching my teacher cry when she talked about seeing the children's shoes in the Holocaust Museum, and creating a board game at the closing of our unit. Unfortunately, I don't remember many details about the experience; however, I can say that I like the overall idea. Personally, I like to have some time to take in the contents of anything I read (okay, anything important that I read), and I believe this allows the students to do so. The only thing I fear is picking a book that bores students.

I am so very sure that I have experienced many thematic units and reader's workshops throughout my educational career, and yet, I remember nothing. Of course, thematic units are a great way to pull students in and help them to really understand a certain subject. Reader's workshop allows students to get quality reading practice that leads to further development.

I'm sorry - I didn't add many dislikes or cons in this discussion. I'm sure they're out there, but I think they mostly involve teaching style and the students in the classroom.

Whew, my brain hurts from all this remembering.