David EDRG 3321

An Example of a teacher that you feel was a good teacher and why?

I would have to say my 5th grade teacher Mr. Martinez, he cared for my well-being and encouraged me to never give up. As a child I struggled through all my years of school and he is the only one that comes to mind that never gave up on me. I had my share of negative feed back from teachers including counselors in my elementary through High School years. Today, I still struggled through school, however; my perseverance has help me not to give up and climbed the ladders in my 18+ years as a highly respected representative throughout the University of Texas System Administration Institutions. So, I have to say the He was the only one who planted the seed in my mind that I could succeed in life. It is one of the reasons I want to finish my school and make changes in a school district that is political driven and for once give Resource Students and Students with special needs an opportunity in life.

David Castillo edrg 3321

A Brief Summary of Chapter 1.


This chapter discusses the Values of Literature for children, Promoting Child Development through Literature, and Children's Responses to Literature. We often hear that teachers have a responsibility to introduce our children to literature readings, however; parents have to share that responsibility as well.

• Values of Literature for Children - Literature books are the major means of learning our literature heritage from one generation to our next generation and understand our cultural heritage. Literature allows children in some cases travel to other parts of the world and relive that culture or just visit all by reading or viewing literature. As discussed in class this open many doors of discovery, endless hours of adventures, and enjoyment.



• 
  Promoting Child Development Through Literature - According to research children's literature development has identified stages in the language development, cognitive, personality, and in social development. Although all children learn these stages, each child learns at a different rate, however; they must all pass through this stage. I found the short video on cognitive development very interesting it reminded me of my son when he would help me in the kitchen.
  


• Children's Responses To Literature - I refer back to how important the teacher and parent are in literature development for our children. As the book discusses there are several factors that relate to children's responses on literature. One example is Factors Within Contexts - finding a good reading environment for children allows them the growth, such as libraries, cultural events (such as our Folk Life Festival story telling) where children can connect with the literature.

What is a value?
A value can meaning many things and is different for many persons. I would like to say that a family value is a value that has been instilled by your parents while growing up. If asked to list the number one value I would have to say "family". My parents have instilled this closeness in our family, we all have our professional careers but in between we find the time to get together at our parents home or a simple phone call. We have grown up to respect each other and one thing that sticks to mind is that no matter what time of the day and or any day if we see each other we always say hi with a hand-shake.

Where did you learn this value? I would have to say my parents have been very instrumental in instilling how important it has been to stay in touch with our siblings. This has carried on to our nieces and nephews from all ages.

Can you teach this value? How? Do you? Yes, this value can be taught. I have sole-custody of my son since he was a newborn (11 months) and is now 11 years of age. I promised to myself that he would not be labeled by teachers with the words I always hear, "oh he/she comes from a broken home" I read to him every night before bed time since he was a newborn all the way to third grade. I have now changed the role to where he reads to me every night and discuss the reading. He is a well behaved child and is a GT students. This has been hard, however; I have taught him and continue to teach him important values that has carried in our family as a tradition.

David Castillo EDRG3344

How do students learn?
Not all students learn the same way, there are different ways of learning and the teacher plays an important role in identifying what method will be best for the students.
As I reflect back to my childhood school years, I wish my teachers would had identified the best method of learning for me. I remember sitting in the classroom listening to the teacher, however; not understanding what she was saying much less retaining the information. The best days were when the teacher would use pictures or hands on activities to learn about the subject being covered and those were the days I enjoyed the most.
Therefore; students may learn by hands on experience, pictures and or applying it to their daily activities and lives. As mentioned in our textbook, "students learn best using authentic materials, through social interaction, and with the support and guidance of their teachers". (Piaget and Vygotskey)

What are the six components of Language Arts? How does teaching Language Arts connect to how children learn?
The six components of Language Arts are listening, talking, reading, writing, viewing, and visually. These six components of Language Arts are further grouped in two being oral, two being written, and two being visual. As I pointed out earlier the teacher has an important role to identify the method of delivery and incorporate lesson plans to allow the students to use all six components in their Language Arts programs. Children learn to use the six components of Language Arts to communicate and to best share their experiences with friends, family and in the classroom.