Laura Harrington
Kindergarten Teacher. Literacy Fanatic. Lifelong Learner.
Annotated Transcript
TE 846 | Accommodating Differences in Literacy Learners
Jessica Meier
As my first course in the program, I found the course material was very applicable to my current teaching position. The focus of this course was on supporting students who struggle in literacy and providing teachers with strategies and tools to accommodate all literacy learners in their classroom. In this course, we did a case study on a student in our classroom and throughout the study; we assessed the student, analyzed data, and created a plan to target the student’s needs. This course furthered my ability to analyze data and use it to inform my differentiated literacy instruction. It also provided me with many strategies and tools I can use to support all of my students.
TE 800 | Concepts of Educational Inquiry
Dr. Steven Weiland
Throughout this course, we explored areas of inquiry and considered the definition of inquiry and how it is practiced. We discuss what knowledge is worth knowing and teaching and also examined how globalization and technology have influenced education. Over the semester, we read texts from educational experts, like John Dewey and Vivian Paley, and other historical figures. In this course, we explored different types of inquiry, including ethnographic participation observation, biography, and classroom-based inquiry.
TE 848 | Writing Assessment and Instruction (PreK-5 Focus)
Dr. Janine Certo
This course was targeted on writing in elementary classrooms. In this course, we learned about strategies to strengthen writing instruction in our classroom and had the opportunity to practice being writers ourselves. We were introduced to a variety of writing genres, including narrative writing and poetry, and participated in the writing process as students, which helped us understand how this process works in our classroom. Throughout the semester, we had the option to choose multiple genres to explore on our own. We also worked on implementing a project to improve writing in our own classrooms and for this project, I focused on maximizing instruction by implement effecting writing conferences.
Summer | 2014
Fall | 2014
TE 842 | Elementary Reading Assessment and Instruction
Marliese Peltier
In every classroom, teachers encounter students with a wide range of strengths and needs. It is the responsibility of the teacher to understand what each learner needs and to do so, teachers must assess students and then plan targeted literacy instruction. In this course, we learned about and practiced implementing the most effective elementary reading assessments. Throughout the course, we completed case studies, in which we analyzed student data to diagnose the student’s strengths and needs. In each case study, we set recommended goals for instruction and instructional strategies that should be implemented for the student based on the data provided.
Spring | 2015
TE 822 | Issues of Culture in Classroom and Curriculum
Dr. Niral Shah
In this course, we spent the semester examining what culture means and thinking why it matters in schools and curriculum. We studied different contexts and functions of schooling and discussed approaches that teachers can take to develop effective multicultural pedagogy and lessons. We reflected our own experiences with how cultural interactions can be postive and can also cause tension. Towards the end of the semester, we also had the opportunity to apply these multicultural approaches in our own classroom. We analyzed and reflected upon our roster of students and made concrete plans on how to incorporate multicultural curricula in the future.
TE 838 | Children's Literature in Film
Dr. Laura Apol
In this course, we examined popular children’s picture books and novels and compared them to the film adaptation of each text. We began by learning how to read film, from understanding the filmmakers use of camera angles to the use of sound and light. We then discussed similarities and differences between the text and film version. Throughout the semester, we also focused on understanding why filmmakers make changes to a text and studied examples where filmmakers strayed from the story or when they remaining loyal to the original. We had the chance to apply everything we learned over the semester by choosing a text with a film adaptation to study independently and then think about how this activity could be used in our own classroom.
TE 845 | Language Diverstiy and Literacy Instruction
Dr. Patrica Edwards
The purpose of this course was to develop strategies and knowledge about teaching English language learners or ELL. We began by understanding how language is acquired and discussed current challenges and stereotypes about language diversity in our country. We studied policies that are currently in place and how they affect students. Over the semester, we were introduced to different language models, including immersion and bilingual programs. We also had the opportunity to study our own linguistic heritage. By taking this course, I learned strategies that I could immediately implement in my own classroom to target my linguistically diverse population.
Fall | 2015
TE 865 | Teaching and Learning K-12 Social Studies
Tamara Shattuck
In this course, we focused on specific themes in Social Studies education, including citizenship, perspectives on learning history, and issues of social justice. The purpose of the course was to provide teachers with the tools in order to make Social Studies meaningful and engaging. By participating in this course, I learned how to make Social Studies lessons exciting and productive, instead of just following mandated standards and textbooks. Throughout the semester, we had the opportunity to inquire about Social Studies education in our own classrooms and developed action research projects to learn more about specific topics. We discussed strategies to strengthen Social Studies instruction and learned about ways to incorporate alternative sources and inquiry into our classrooms.
Spring | 2016
ED 870 | Capstone Portfolio Course
Dr. Matthew Koehler, Sarah Keenan, and Spencer Greenhalgh
The Capstone class provided me with the opportunity to reflect on my experience in the Masters of Education program at Michigan State and to think about how the knowledge gained in this program will support my future career path. Not only did this course help me reflect and synthesize my experience as a Masters student, but it also introduced me to website design. Throughout the semester, we worked to create a digital portfolio to showcase our personal, professional, and educational backgrounds. Over the semester, we created our portfolio and learned ways to enhance our website through media and layout and design. The portfolio highlights my reflections and learnings and provides a window into my future goals.
Summer | 2015
Summer | 2016
EAD 822 | Engaging Diverse Families and Students
Instructor To Be Determined
In the final course of my program, we will learn about how contemporary schools can work to engage families from many different cultural, economic, linguistic, and racial backgrounds. Throughout this semester, we will study the historical relationship between schools and home. We will also discuss how modern day social, cultural, and linguistic contexts impact this relationship. As a teacher in a very diverse school, I hope to learn from case studies of schools that have excelled in engaging families. By completing this course, I also hope to be able to apply some of these strategies in my own classroom in order to reach all families.