This Week

On Monday, I went to SWA to observe Kelly's class on a "normal" day in "Reading in the Content Area." On Mondays, they do a vocabulary activity that comes from an article, and they take a quiz on the vocab on Fridays. Next Monday, I will be teaching, so I plan to use a jigsaw lesson format to teach the vocabulary, and then they will read the article and discuss it for the remaining class time. I just need to find an interesting article!

SWA has won an award for participating in TTRM in service learning. Today a reporter will be walking with us to DYE. This is the final week in the TTRM magazine.

Friday, April 3rd at SWA

There are a few new students in Kelly's 2nd and 4th period classes, so today I came to train them for the TTRM session next week. After I went over the reading strategies and the basic format, I had them practice on one another, role-playing either the mentor or the mentee. Before the quick role play, I gave them tips on how to guide the mentee to the right answer in the paragraph, give clear instructions, and keep the mentee's attention. Afterwards, I asked them if they had any questions and if they feel comfortable taking on the role of the mentor next Wednesday when we go to DYE. They said they feel comfortable taking on the mentor role, so I think they'll be fine. On Wednesday, I will probably have to remind them of a few things, but what I've noticed from the other mentors is that if they generally feel confident about being a leader/tutor/mentor, they'll do a good job.

Also, many of the SWA students who participated in Session #1 are still at SWA (in 2nd period specifically), so they have gotten to experience TTRM the way it is intended. Kelly is assigning a reflection paper to write about what they have learned/how this experience has changed them, and I am eager to read those papers, talk with students, and watch the video that Kelly put together for Mrs. Davenport. Then I will be able to see how effective this program has been for the SWA students.