Today she was performing the Dibels testing to her students which is a one on one testing system that does a series of one minute tests that focus on literacy. The first section is on phoneme segmentation where the children are to say each individual sound of the word that the teacher states to the student. The second part focused on what they called a nonsense word fluency where the student would read nonsense words just to make sure they are understanding the sounds of the letters Ex: len, aj. The third part of the test was on reading fluency where the students would read a passage out lout and the teacher was checking on how accurately the student reads the words. This testing experience was amazing and was so pertinent to our assessment course. My co-operating teacher chose three students that were on three different literacy levels so that I could see the changes in skills and it was so fascinating!
Overall, I just had a great day. It was one of those days where everything seems to come together and make sense and just reaffirmed in my mind that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. It was such a great feeling because I know that experiences in the field can sometimes do the opposite. I can't wait to go back next week because I know there is so much that I can learn from Mrs. Fisher!
Betsy - You do such a wonderful job expressing how much you love children and this profession! I relate to your enthusiasm about being back inside an elementary school! Every year when my family travels back to Ohio for the holidays, my brother and I always make it a point to drive by our old elementary school. We have such good memories there! (My brother is a 4th grade teacher up in the DC area)
ReplyDeleteI am also very glad to hear that you have such a great cooperating teacher this semester. I was very impressed by mine as well and look forward to learning as much as possible from her while inside her classroom!
Betsy, I am happy that you are so pleased with your placement, and that you have already learned a lot. During my work with kindergartin, I got a chance to experience the Dibels assessment test; as the teachers assistant, she taught me how to administer the test. She would use the results from the test to help assign home work in the students practice folders. These folders were sent home every day along with the regular home. The practice folders contained about 3 alphabets, 3 letter sounds and 3 numbers that the students did not know; the parents were supposed to help the students practice these skills every night. Everyday the teacher and I would go over the practice folders with the students to make sure their parents were helping them. The parents would also have to sign the practice folders. In return we would give tha students a treat for practicing and bringing their folders back signed.
ReplyDeleteAs for my assignment this semester, because I am in the Literacy MAT Program, and I am an intern, I will be assigned to my co-teacher throughout this program. My teacher and I work well together, and I am learning a lot from her. She often tells me; she is so happy to have me working with her. Again enjoy your placement; you are an asset to your teacher.