We learn by teaching

Hello again. We just wrapped up with our first week of Summer quarter classes! Legally I have changed my last name to Grove so now I am all ready to start the 09-10 school year as Mrs. Grove. Still getting used to it!

We have done so many fun activities this week. Nothing so far as mirrored any of my summer class expectations which is a good thing. We have been working hard learning how children learn. During this process we have come to discover our own learning styles. With a bit of work and help from Kolb, I have learned that I am mostly a divergent learner. Some of the qualities a divergent learner posseses according to Kolb are:
Sees lots of alternatives
Uses imagination
Creates with emotions, aesthetic interest
Oriented to relationships with people, supportive
Uses eyes, ears; listens observes, asks questions
Observes others, can model behavior
Good at seeing, imagining self in different situation
Unhurried, casual, calm, friendly, avoids conflict
Like assurance from others
Learns by listening, then sharing without small groups.

I would definately say that yes I do hihgly resemble a diverger. Other than the fact that I find myself extremely hurried much of the time, the other qualities are very much words I would describe myself in terms of how I learn, how I interact with others and how I accomplish tasks.

Learning how I learn in comparison to other members within my cohort I could see how a group of divergers could have more difficulty working together because everyone is always looking for acceptance. For example when we did group together we were more than willing to share our ideas however a leadership role was almost non-existance. We had trouble coming to a conclusion and much of our work and progress was through the sharing of possible ideas in the form of brainstorming. We found it difficult to decide a final product that would be pleasing to all members within the group. Ideally I felt as if our group would have been more productive if the group was more balanced with an equal ratio of members from all groups; divergers, convergers, assimilators, and accommodators. We needed a leader, we needed a plan, and we needed to be decisive.

With this idea in mind I begin to picture my future classroom. I know that each student will have their own learning styles and I know not to assume that each student will fall neatly into one group because it is not always that black and white. By knowing our students as learners we can improve the dichotomy of learning groups. I felt that Kolb opened my mind to a clear structure of many possible learning styles. I was able to realize things about myself in terms of how my own experiences have influenced the overall mood I create within a learning group. I learned it is okay to be the observer and it's okay to be different from other learners. Each style has a way of complimenting and assisting another.

Kolb's model was just one activity we explored and while I'd love to touch upon others that we have practiced I think I will just talk about yesterday because it full of so much fun and laughter. We were grouped once again with the task of acting out the water cycle. In a dramatic style we were to use body motions and dance to explain how water transforms and presents itself into many different forms. We became so involved in this idea. We came together and shared our many different ideas. How should we show condensation? How should be present evaporation? It was easy to resort back to elementary aged entertainment. We wanted to make it fun and eye catching so we decided to dance using our entire body. I honestly felt as if I was a young student again. What better way to learn than by teaching!

Interviews and first meetings

It is literally the last week of my first quarter! I am ready to start learning more and more!

Last week I had a meeting/interview with Woodmoor Elementary School in Bothell. Seven other students and myself met with the principal and all of our master teachers. I was beyond nervous because I had no idea what to expect. I showed up about 30 mins early and had some time to wait in the parking lot. I was amazed at how many parent pick-ups there were, so different than when I was in school. I felt instantly relieved when I saw my other cohort peers waiting in the office. We were brought back at 3:45 right after school was out for the day. We sat in a circle, introduced ourselves and were matched up with a master teacher. The assistant principal was so friendly and made me feel right at home. I was quite amazed at how the school's building was structured. It felt as if we were in a submarine and the halls were never ending. Me elementary school was the complete opposite where you had to go outside if you wanted to go anywhere.

I was so happy to see all of the teachers who work at Woodmoor, it was easy to see that they all loved working there. When I was assigned my master teacher I was pleasantly surprised. She was extremely kind and friendly towards me. She offered to show me to her classroom and even though we were very limited on our time to converse we still managed to squeeze in a good amoutn of small converstation. I was getting so excited for the 09-10 school year to begin because I knew I would be sitting in the front of the room teaching!!! Unfortunately, I do not get to return until August, but she kindly offered her classroom starting August 1st because that is when she will begin planning. More updates to come!