1. Rebecca Agrast RED6116

2.  I consider myself to be a Trendy Reader and Vegetarian Reader.  I mostly read things that will nourish me professionally. I’m always looking for new strategies to use in my classroom. I visit bookstores and teacher blogs daily searching for new ideas to use in my classroom.  I also tend to read a lot of children’s books. I visit the library on a regular basis in search of a new treasure for my students. I have a good idea of what students will like, and I’m always looking for books that will hook them.  When I do read for pleasure, I mostly read books that my friends and parents are reading.

3. In my classroom I am always using songs, poetry, and dance to help my students to learn concepts. I also use songs to help with classroom management or a task (putting name on their paper, making a circle on the ground). After I took the Learning Style Quiz I wasn’t surprised when my results showed that I am Musical. Growing up my parents always took me to see Broadway musicals. In high school I competed with my showchoir and helped my team to win many trophies. As a result, I always used music to help me learn concepts in school.

4.  Strengths - I love children’s books and have hundreds of titles in my collection. This helps me as an elementary school teacher because I can quickly think of a good piece of children’s literature to use for my instruction. Also, when students are struggling readers, I know just the right book to hook them because I’ve read so many books and I know the characters and storylines. I’m also constantly reading educational books about the latest research and innovative ideas. This helps me to continue to grow and also keeps my teaching relevant.  Weaknesses One of my weaknesses is that I don’t always make the time to read for pleasure. Instead I spend my down time relaxing on the beach, dancing, or working on crafts. When I do read for pleasure I usually read love stories. I always encourage my students to read a variety of literature (fiction, non-fiction, poetry, etc.) but I don’t always practice what I preach.

5.  Reread  Reading aloud  Taking notes and summarizing what I’ve read

6.  I tutored a first grade student. He didn’t really like reading; he did not have strategies to help him when he came upon an unfamiliar word. He was also very shy. I found out that he liked Spiderman, so that is what I used to hook him in. I made him a Spiderman bookmark with strategies on the back and had him read books that he would be interested in. His confidence grew, and he participated more in class. He also jumped in his reading level. At the end of the year, I received a thank-you card from him for making him a better reader.