COVER LETTER
When I began the Writing Project I was a little skeptical. I questioned both my ability to write as well as my ability to apply writing to my math classroom. My growth as a writer was exponential. I really think I came to some conclusions that have honed my ability to write. I have probably only grown from a beginner to a novice, but it is still significant. The idea of Wild Writing has really hit home and caused me to have more excitement in my writing. It has also allowed my personality to be more evident in my writing.
The effect the Project will have on my teaching is obviously hard to measure right now. I know I have a much different outlook on some of the things I can do to further my abilities in the area of teaching. I will be able to help my students in drastically different ways, which will definitely allow me to reach more students than I have in the past. That certainly makes it all worthwhile.
The learning that has occurred for me on a personal level is monumental. I now have an infinite amount of tools at my disposal. Through the blog, I also have a way of finding out what other teachers think of how I am doing and what I can do better. We as educators must be constantly adapting and learning. The Writing Project has certainly given me a way to grow personally and professionally
My teaching practices are going to be affected greatly by the practices that I have observed and attempted. The ideas of reflective writing and project-based learning will drastically change the atmosphere of my classroom. I have always strived to have my classroom be an inviting atmosphere. I now have so many more ways to accomplish that goal. The thought of my classroom being referred to as a family of learners is exciting and invigorating. It is in the writing that this will occur. That is something I had tried to accomplish before, without writing, but could never understand why I wasn’t quite getting there. I am really looking forward to adopting these techniques in order to improve my classroom. The idea that I am not trying to teach them how to write, but having them write to teach themselves math, was a huge eye-opener for me.
I am also excited to be able to use a lot more technology in my classroom. I truly think that blogging may be a good way for my students to express their concerns and for me to understand and address them better.
My personal piece was chosen because it was the first sacred writing piece I was really excited about. It refers to one of the western fly fishing trips I had taken. I liked it because I felt the funny stories came out well in the writing. That will also be my deep revision. The deep revision will come in the form of a letter to a friend while on the trip. The difference in the language should be evident.
My professional writing piece was written about a passion of mine, which is the way we treat our students. I believe there are many teachers who demand respect from their students, but do not show respect for the students. Not only is that backwards thinking, but it is not feasible because many of our students do not have respect modeled at home. They have to have it modeled at school.
My demonstration document will give you true insight into what I have learned this summer. I am very excited to apply this type of project in my classroom to see if it will have the desired effect.
I think I really missed the boat with my ethnography. I was not as creative as I should have been. If I had to do it over again, I would have branched out into a different genre and tried to bring my humor into the writing.
My informal pieces are where you may learn the most about me. You will learn of my love of golf, teaching, and my family. You will learn of my inability to do anything involving technology, although I am better now with the help of Ian.
