Carpenter, Priscilla

Journal Entry #2
Date of Service Learning Experience: 9/11/2007
Total hours that day: 2 hrs; 10:40-12:40
Total Service Learning Hours: 4 hrs.

Today’s service learning experience was a little hectic because every assignment for the day was cut short due to picture day. Of course, this made the students a little unfocused during their lessons because they were worried about their pictures. They were also hyper because they had to eat lunch in the room due to the pictures being taken in the cafeteria. However, the students were excited to see me and they were ready for me to help them on some of their assignments.

The time that I observed and helped the children was during their reading time. For the first half of reading, they worked on their daybook which is a fascinating assignment book. I really love using the daybooks with the students because it gets them to use their critical thinking skills. Within the book, there are little mini stories that the students read. Before, during, and after reading, there are questions throughout the book that gets them thinking critically about the stories they read. These books help them really comprehend what they are reading, and by using these books, Mrs. D states that many of the children’s reading levels have risen. For the other half of reading, the students worked together in partners to complete an FCAT based worksheet about Radars. This was mostly busy work before they had to leave to go to Successmaker Lab.

Successmaker Lab is a new program that has been implemented into the school to help students successfully pass the FCAT. The students like this lab because they get to use the computer, but I see tremendous flaws with this program and so does Mrs. D. With the program, the computer reads to the students the question and possible answers. Well on the FCAT, the questions are not read to the students, the students must read it themselves. Also, a lot of the questions that are asked on the computer program do not pertain to FCAT questions which is hard to believe when the program is suppose to prepare the students for the test. I personally think they should have taken the money for this program and used it elsewhere to benefit the students’ education. However, all in all I had a great time in class and I really enjoy Mrs. D. She really helps me with providing me with materials I might need as a teacher or giving me advice. I really learn a lot of great things from her and she is very helpful and a great teacher.