Final Thoughts

I learned that I am a much better writer, than I thought I was, when I am not writing academically. I think I am a decent writer when it comes to school work, but to open my mind and give a little piece of myself in my writing is therapeutic in a way. I hope to be able to carry on writing with a blog in my future. My experience with digital writing started a few years back, through different course we had assignments to post online, a few classes I had to create webpages for. This was my first time creating a blog and I found that it is not difficult at all. 

I know I still have somethings to learn about the blogging world but I think that I will be able to incorporate it into my classroom. As long as I can stay organized and be able to show students the basics of creating a blog, it should go smoothly. I plan to take full advantage of google drive and possibly google plus in my classroom, it would be easy to access google blogger as well for my students.

The challenges I had with this blog had nothing to do with the blog per se. It was me finding the time to complete the task and read other’s post to comment on them.  I am admittedly not good when it comes to managing my time when the due dates are at the end of the term. I tend to wait to a week before everything is due and do all my work then instead of doing a little throughout the course.  But all in all, I really enjoyed learning how to incorporate digital writing into the classroom. 

Argument Writing

Effective Teaching-“The kind of teaching in which students learn to do, with support, what they cannot do or do not already do by themselves, the kind of teaching in which students learn happily, willingly, even enthusiastically” (Hillocks 1).

                I have learned a great deal from reading and studying the textbook Teaching Argument Writing by George Hillocks. I was captured by Hillock’s first page. The definition above is in the first paragraph of the Introduction. This is my purpose in life to become an effective teacher. I want to be that one teacher who made a difference in a student’s life.  Hillock has a great ability to effectively show teachers how to teach argumentative writing. He breaks down each step and gives real life examples.

                My “AH-HA” moment was when I read the first chapter “Whodunit?” by teaching arguments of fact and evidence to student through the fun of solving mysteries. I think this is genius. Students will not even realize they are learning. But they are finding evidence to support their claims when solving these simple mysteries. I think I will start off with the simple mysteries and gradually progress to more difficult ones. Also, the different levels of difficulty could be used with ESOL students and struggling readers/learners.

                In chapter 5, "Answering Difficult Question" is one of my favorite chapters. I love how Hillock turn locating criteria into something of purpose and has the students read example which is essentially mentor text. By being able to dissect award submissions and murder cases, the students are learning how to write better and support their claims, evidence and warrants.  

                My teaching strategies will be to scaffold the learning process as Hillock has explained in the text.  By having different mini lesson to zero in on specific aspects of writing a powerful argumentative essay, the students will get a better understand of each step and be able to master each one.  Making the lessons student centered will help the students learn on a more productive level.  Using small group discussion, class discussion, and collaboration will increase the chances of the newly taught information becoming knowledge that the students will retain for their lifetime, not just for a test. 

My Serenity

Need to clear my mind,

Need to get out of this house,

This prison I am in.

Jump in my car, start to drive.

Turn right for further aggravation,

Or turn left for salvation.

Left is the path I choose.

Needing to be closer to my God.

I pray the entire trip.

Thirty minutes later, I have arrived

At my church, God’s creation.

Feeling empty inside, I kick off my shoes.

I dash to the water’s edge.

Cool, wet sand seeps between my toes.

Looking out to the horizon,

Slicing the sky from the water,

Feeling the beauty starting to immerse me.

I close my eyes, start to pray,

“God, give me strength today.”

Deep breathe in, salty air consumes my lungs.

Feeling the weight lift off my shoulders.

Exhaling the worry, the stress,

The pain, the heartbreak.

Breathe in strength, Breathe out sorrow.

Cleansing my thoughts with every breath of sea air.

Waves crash with powerful force,                       

Sinking my feet deeper into the sand.

The soothing sound washes through me.

The ocean pulls away, taking the hurt,

Piece by piece, leaving serenity in its place.

Feeling the warmth on my face,

God is all around me.

I can feel him cover my body, my soul.

All about Me

My name is Deanna Davis. I was born in Baltimore, Maryland. However, my family moved to Florida when I was only three years old. I don't really know anything else so I consider myself to be a native. I have lived in the East Orlando area all my life. I went to Bonneville Elementary, Discovery Middle and University High School. After taking some time off to raise my daughter and care for her father, I decided to go to college and get my degree. I have always wanted to be a teacher, but that is not what I originally came to college to pursue, I was going to be a Registered Nurse. I understand that these are two different professions, at the time it seemed as though my family would benefit more if I had my Nursing degree.  I changed my major within my first semester at Seminole State College, realizing that my calling is, and always will be, to be an educator.

I graduated with my Associate in Arts degree in July 2012. I have been a struggling student, I say this with great pride, at University of Central Florida since January 2013. I am currently in my final year at UCF and plan to graduate at the end of the Summer 2015 with my Bachelor's in Science for Secondary English/Language Arts Educator. It has been a very long journey for me. I have struggled but this experience has humbled me as a student. I was a perfectionist and had to have all the honours available that involved my academics but now I realize that I am not perfect and that as long as I do my best that I should be proud of my accomplishments. It has been a huge learning experience for me as a student, future teacher, mother and just as a person in general. I have met some wonderful people, whom I hold dear to my heart and I have learned so very much from. I wouldn't change anything for the life lessons I have learn.

I know that many parents, mother's especially, say that their children or child is their life. Well, I am no different. My daughter is my life and everything I do, I do for her. Her name is Cheyenne Eilyze she is 14 years old. I am so very blessed to have her in my life. She makes me want to be a better person. Whether she knows it or not, she is my reason for doing everything. She is my greatest accomplishment. I am raising the most amazing young person I know. She has got me through many rough patches in my life. I don't know where I would be without her.

Our quote, "When the world turns ugly, I just turn and look at you." -FGL "This is How We Roll"

The day before she got braces. 6/22/14