October 1, 2007
Today we met at Tibbetts Middle School for the first time. We were
able to meet all the students that would be participating in Literature Circles. I read The Prince of The Pond and did a book
talk for the students. We then met at the UNM center for Uma's visit. Her presentation was interesting. It gave me a whole
different perspective on how to analyze the books I read.
October 8, 2007
We met at Tibbetts again today and the students appeared to be excited to
see us. Today Francis Had a guest speaker come and assist her in a demonstration on how a Literature Circle should work. Francis
and the guest did role playing and included the students to participate which they appeared to have enjoyed. Then we met at
Kiwanis Park and Francis read a short story that was very interesting and we did our small literature circle.
Each of us were able to give input about thoughts of the story. Some of us were able to make real life connections.
It was a wonderful experience.
October 25, 2007
At Tibbetts Middle Schoool the UNM students read to the Tibbetts students
and then the Tibbetts students did their own literature circle but there was a lack of communication between students.
We prompted them with questions to engage them in conversation. Then we went to the library for our class discussion
and to present our genres.
October 22, 2007
We met at Tibbetts again and the students partitipated in their literature
circle, the students again lacked communication with one another. We read two chapters and I am finding it hard to believe
that we are going to be able to finish this book with these students. After our visit at Tibbetts we met in the
classroom and watched a video.
October 29, 2007
Today we tried something a little different with our students. We read
a chapter and then we modeled what we wanted students to do during literature circles. This was a really productive experience
for the students. We met outside and the traffic was loud but each student was able to participate. This made our
Literature Circle more enjoyable. Today we discussed the fact that there is forty chapters in the book and in order to be
able to finish the book with these students they would have to read throughout the week. We assigned each student to
read a chapter as well as each of us. Our plan for next week is to summarize the chapters for the group. By doing
this I hope we will be able to complete the book with these students.
November 05, 2007
The homework assignment did not go as planned. Only one of our students read her chapter. She
was able to summarize for her chapter. We then had to read the chapters that were supposed to have been read during
that class period. Our Literature circle is finally progressing, the students are now adjusting to the idea of communicating
with one another. After class we met at San Juan College for class and students presented their genres and literary elements.
November 12, 2007
Today we showed up at Tibbetts to participate in the Literature Circles with our students.
To our surprise, we found that half of our group was no longer in Ms. Smith's class. Ahhh! So, Francis asked that
we work on assignments and reconvene at the Library. As a class, we agreed to practice video-taping the students
next week to prepare for the real sesssion would occur next following week. Then,
we all met at the room in the back of the library. Next, we became our characters and wrote about different pictures
in character. Each writing was expanded on and we concluded after about 5 or 6 rounds.
November 19, 2007
Today we arrived at Tibbetts we were greeted by the Title I Reading cordinator Valerie Tulley.
She asked that we assist her in testing Ms. Smith's students. The test was to help the school choose an appropriate
reading program for the school. The sixth graders were asked to complete the brief tests with a UNM student. Later,
we met in the classroom. The President was supposed to make a visit to the Farmington Campus. Unfortunetly
he was running late and so were Unable to meet him.
