-
Period: to
My Life
-
Nursery Rhyme Play (Kindergarten)
Learning nursery rhymes is one of my earliest literacy experiences. Our teacher would read from her nursery rhyme book most days and we would recite it back. At the end of the year we put on a play of our favourite nursery rhyme, each reciting our lines in sequential order in front of a large audience. -
Speech Therapy (grades two to five)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVmU3iANbgkThis year held some major landmarks for me in my literacy journey. The biggest event would be the beginning of my speech therapy lessons. Being so shy in kinergarten and grade one it took awhile for educators to identify my speech impedient. Starting grade two until grade five I was pulled out of class several times a week to work on my prouncation and clarity. Having a speech impediment hindered my oral communication skills as I never wanted to speak in front of others in class. -
Magic Treehouse Books (grade three)
My teacher sparked all of our interests in reading when we were able to build our own magical treehouse in the classroom. The treehouse was my safe spot, throughout the year I was always found there reading book after book . This was an important time for me because it was when I fell in love with reading. Reading soon became my favourite escape. -
The beginning of French (grade 4)
Trying to speak another language when I was still struggling to speak english was very challenging. I dreaded going to French, even though I found writing and reading fairly easy. Understanding the language was fine, but I was so anxious with the speaking that I gave up on French as soon as I could. -
Public Speeches
Mortifying experience every year from grades six to eight. Even though I stopped attending speech therapy in grade five I had very weak presentation and oral skills, due to fears and lack of experience. Speeches in front of my peers that had teased me for years about my speech impediment was one of the hardest moments in my educational experiences. Although I still struggle to present in front of my peers, my students never give me the same fears and anxieties. -
English Class (grade eleven & twelve)
In my final years of highschool I really began to establish myself as a writer. Given my weak oral skills, I have always excelled in my written and reading skills. Both were escapes, and outlets during some major difficulties in my childhood. I had the same teacher grade eleven and twelve English and she challenged me to become better. She saw a talent in me, and continued to spark my obsession with expressing myself on paper. Thanks to her I understand the difference a teacher can have. -
Graphic Literature Class
In grade twelve I had the opportunity to take a new university level english class on graphic literature. Exploring different forms of literature opened my eyes past traditional books, and made me see the vast world of texts and literature all around. It helped me as a student, and future teacher, to see how different forms of literature can be used to speak to all types of readers. -
Started Brock University
Starting Brock meant the constant restrictions of APA formatting and suppressing my creativity in my writing. I used to love to write about literature and life, but with the strict assignments it left little room for me to continue to grow as a writer. Although I did learn to structure and format my writing, I often wonder where I would be as a writer if I had pursued a different career. I wish I had continued to push myself to write more in a spare time, and look forward to returning to it. -
Second Year Placement
During my second year placement in a grade one classroom I had the opportunity to work with an child that both autistic and a English Language Learner. He spoke fluent Russian and was highly intelligent so although he had his challenges I stood to learn more from him than he did from me. It was first experience with ELL, and helped me gain a better understanding of the challenges my students in the future will face as well. -
Community Learning Alternatives
Worked one-on-one with adult learners to help them finish their school or upgrade marks. Most days I spent working with an adult with a severe stutter on his reading skills. I realized that literary can be a lifelong struggle for many people, and was thankful the strides I had made in my own. I had the opportunity to attend a two day conference on literacy. It focused on literacy skills as power, discussed strategies and actions that need to be taken to help increase Canadian literacy rates. -
Nannying
I spent the past summer nannying two little boys. Everyday we would read countless books, and the eldest would practice sight words for grade one in September. I got such a better understanding of developing language skills through seeing the children's progress each day over the four months. This gave me valuable insight to some difficulties that I myself had forgotten. -
This course
I can say with full certainity that this has been the most enriching courses offered in my teacher's college year. The resources and strategies gained through the content has positively contributed to all of our teacher tool belts. The assignments were valuable learning experiences, and I feel confident moving into my second teaching block and utilizing all my new knowledge. -
Graduation
Graduating Brock University is just the end of another chapter of my life with literacy. I can't wait to see where it takes me next!
