Anna Papst
Engl. 493
Learning Letter
Dear Dr. Agriss,
Where
to begin? This course was jammed packed with information. I have turned in so
many assignments and feel like I have gone through the motions however, I have
learned so much from the work I have done. There is a certain quality about
your class that forces me to apply myself to my fullest capacity. The first
assignment was the book talk. I decided to read and present my book talk on The
Giver. This book is a study that eighth graders read at Garry Middle School. I
started reading it last year during the end of my observation quarter in the
spring. I wanted to pick it up again and read it. There is a plethora of wealth
and knowledge in this book and it is a vital piece of curriculum for students
to read and learn from. The lessons that the students can learn from Jonas and the
other characters in the novel are lessons that will be taken with them through
their lives. I felt like I but a great amount of work into my book study. I
read the entire novel and answered the questions honestly and with the information
that I thought would be the most beneficial for the students to learn from and
take away from the novel. The peers in the classroom seemed to be interested
from the responses that I got after class. One of the classmates came up to me
after and said she wanted to read the Giver because of the interesting talk
that I gave that was quite informative. So I gave my best effort and was
successful.
My mini lesson was on American Born
Chinese. I was really excited about teaching my lesson and was very prepared. I
have read the novel several times so it was difficult to decide what part I
wanted to teach on. I used one of the teaching techniques that my teacher used
as an activity. It worked really well. I had many activities to aid with my
teaching. It is difficult to teach to my peers. The feedback part was extremely
hard because I couldn’t defend myself and felt like a lot of it was useful.
However, some of the feedback I have reflected upon and can sift through to
work on what I need help with. It is a learning experience in itself to teach
to peers. I need to work on my transitions and my time management the most.
The Unit Plan that I worked on focused
the novel Tangerine. I spent time
planning in my head before even starting writing anything down. I put my best effort
into this three week unit plan. I wanted to add as much on my own personality
into this work as I could. I added many videos and differentiated instruction
into my unit plan.
The readings and reflections at the
beginning of the quarter were difficult to read but I put my best effort into each
assignment that I read and wrote on. The words were difficult to understand but
after reflecting together as a class, I began to understand the concepts that
we were learning through each reading. After finishing each discussion I
understood the details and specific theories that would apply to teaching. The
clarification and insight that I gained through the discussions allowed much
comprehension. I made sure that I finished each assignment so I could engage in
the discussion as much as I could.
I feel successful at the end of the
quarter. I applied myself as much as time allowed and did not half do any
assignment. I have learned a plethora of information through the readings and
reflections that I completed. Your class has allowed me and forced me to grow.
Your expectations create a high bar that I strive to meet and surpass. I wanted
to please you through the assignments that I submitted on time and by this, I
have surprised myself and am proud of the work that I have done. I have learned
that if I apply myself fully that I can accomplish much. I am feeling prepared
to go into the Capstone with the work that I have done during this quarter.
I am thrilled to have done so much
work. I am extremely exhausted however; I feel great leaving this quarter. The
knowledge that I have learned during this quarter will carry into next quarter
and into my teaching career. Your classes with the discussion and readings have
prepared me to be more confident as a person as well as a teacher. Thank you
for the expectations that you have given to me and my peers. Your instruction
style has given me a new excitement for learning and for being a better learner
and educator.
Thanks,
Anna Karin Papst!
