Rejuvenation

I really enjoyed entry 115 because it was such a great idea that the teacher had. Allowing her students to be pen pals to students from different areas is a great learning experience, it seems as if these students are able to see how though people are from different areas they experience very similar problems. The students were so encouraging as they dealt with their pen pals problems much like there own. This allows students to understand one another on a deeper level. It is also a great learning experience of the many different home lives people face on a personal level. I also really loved the idea that the students got to go to the other school and experience a completely different setting. I believe this is a great learning experience for the students and the teacher. I also believe that I would enjoy doing something similar to this with my class, allowing them to see diversity in this interesting way.

Entry number 117 was also a very intriguing journal to look at. The idea that this teacher moved away from teaching but somehow found his/her way back to it was amusing. The idea that they were teaching again shows that it is the kind of job you find your way back to it. I really enjoyed this entry because I enjoyed the way he taught music and commented on how it relates to poetry. As an English teacher in training, I find myself knowing how difficult certain genres of text can be for students. Much like this teacher, I want to help my students obtain as much information as possible. I want them to understand instead of hide away not knowing. This story encouraged me because I have been thinking about how I want to use other materials to help my students learn. I want to connect the classics of literature to young adult literature and film adaptations. I want to do what this teacher does when he/she relates poetry to music. I want to give my students the materials needed to help them get a more complete understanding of the material, so they will in turn be better suited for their future. This entry inspired me because it informed me that this is something I will be able to implement in my classroom.

The last entry that really connected with me was entry number 121. When I was in school, I had struggled with reading I had a hard time reading aloud. I was the type of aloud reader that would accidentally skip words because my eyes would flash by them without me realizing that I had missed saying it. I had been made fun of by students and even teachers. This struggle I faced encouraged me to read more but it also discouraged me from participating in the classroom. I was angry with myself and disappointed at the same time thinking I was horrible because even my teachers mocked me. After reading this, I was inspired to be like this teacher and help my students. The way this teacher handled the situation was amazing and I really enjoyed this entry as a whole.