Author: Abigail Deguzman

Audio Recording of book: https://www.speakpipe.com/voice-recorder/msg/htw87osgwyx9goh6

As I was growing up, English has always been my favorite subject. Although I have had many challenges with the subject, I still enjoyed it very much. My favorite lesson during my time in kindergarten, was writing about our weekend and drawing a picture so our classmates could visualize the event. Although I would always get points taken away for my “commas being the size of golf balls,” I still had a love for writing all throughout elementary and high school and continuing into college. Throughout elementary and middle school my teachers did a great job in doing interactive and fun lessons for us. It made us actually want to learn more and explore with English. In high school, my teachers would just focus on hitting all of the SOL standards. High school was a time for writing and doing research papers, and many students lost their passion for writing and English. I was one of those students. As future teachers, we need to make sure students keep that SPARK inside of them and keep their passion for learning! Although, I think throughout my life, writing has become harder, I look at it as a challenge, and as if I am growing my skills. A big factor in enjoying a subject, is having a passionate teacher.

So, What can I do as a Future Teacher…?

“How is an English teacher like a judge?…. THEY BOTH GIVE OUT SENTENCES!”

If I would have been asked that joke in high school, I would’ve responded, “Probably because judges and English teachers are strict and scary!” My English teachers in elementary school were very passionate about the subject, and they made learning writing fun. In high school, I had very strict and teachers who were not passionate about the subject, and my friends and I could easily see that. In the future, I want to be able to provide my students with the best of the best lessons and advice for writing. I want to be that teacher that they remember when they are in college. For students to enjoy learning about writing, as a teacher, you are going to have to show your passion for it. If your students see that you are not excited to teach the material, they won’t be willing to learn and engage. Writing can be fun for students, we just need to be able to provide student choice. Digital writing is such a great option for students. Technology is so important in today’s society. Instead of research papers, students now have different options like: making memes, a video, a powerpoint or Prezi. As students do these unique assignments, they will be able to gain a sense of creativity and enjoy the work they are doing. As students get older, they can use their social media or make their own blog to aid in their learning. It is something different and fun that students will actually enjoy doing. Hicks gives many great ideas and great options for future teachers to use in their classroom.

OATH: I, Abby Deguzman, promise to be a teacher full of choices for my students. I will do my best to make sure my students are staying interested and engaged by doing unique projects and straying away from the DREADING research papers.

Recording of blog: https://www.speakpipe.com/voice-recorder/msg/almex8fa6oubih8n

What do you remember most from your time in school as a child? It probably wasn’t the research papers and worksheets. It was most likely the hands-on and interactive projects and assignments that stood out to you.  All students have different learning styles, so for majority of them, they will not learn to their highest potential if they are not interacting from their work. I, being a visual and kinesthetic learner, prefer hands-on work because I am able to retain information better when I am actually seeing the information in action.  I believe that it makes more of an impact that doing a research paper or a worksheet.

Imagine you are in your classroom and you all are having a lesson on the model of a cell. If you give your students a fill in the blank label worksheet, they will just be focused on finishing and labeling the cell. They won’t be focused on learning the information, but rather they will be focused on just turning in the work. If you give your students a hands on interactive project to make a model of a cell using food, play doh, or different supplies other than a pencil and a paper, the students will be able to remember and retain the looks and the names of the cell parts on a test a lot better.  By doing this type of interactive, visual project, they will be able to make connections and it will benefit your students in the end.