Learning and Teaching Literacy in Jenn Myer’s Classroom

For this assignment, we are asking you to reflect on at least one literacy event of your choosing from Jennifer Myers’ website. Jennifer is a second grade teacher working in Morgan Hill who with the help of the Carnegie Foundation has developed a web site focused on her practice. You can find her website via web CT (ic.ucsc.edu/webct) or at the following web address:

I would like you to spend some time (15 to 20 minutes) perusing Jennifer’s website with another class member. After viewing and talking about the website together, please select one or two readers’ workshop events to discuss. View the event(s) that you select together, discussing them as you watch them. Please address the following questions as you view these events together: (If you find it easier, address these questions after you view the website, referring back to the video tape as you develop your responses and provide evidence for your claims. )

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  • How does Jennifer facilitate the way children contribute to the event(s)? Is it effective? Why/why not?
  • How does Jennifer build on students’ contributions in the event(s)?
  • Based on your reading of the event(s), what do you think Jennifer knows about her students and their lives both in and out of school? What makes you think this is so?
  • How do students respond to Jennifer’s contributions?*
  • What are the goals of this event? What do you think Jennifer is trying to accomplish? How do you know?
  • What understandings about reading/writing/language do children convey through their participation in this event?*
  • What view or views of literacy learning and pedagogy does this event reflect or appear to draw on? (In answering this question consider the ideological and pedagogical perspectives on literacy discussed in various class readings)*
  • What questions or concerns do you have about teacher’s/students’ participation in the event?*
  • Do you see any missed opportunities – things the teacher might have done in the event(s)? What could the teacher have done? Why would that be important?
  • Do you think the event(s) could benefit the learners in your placement? Why/why not?
  • What comments, questions, and/or feedback would you like to provide Jennifer about her website and/or work with children?

After discussing the literacy event(s) from Jennifer’s website, please write and submit to me a written reflection about the event(s). I anticipate that these written reflections will be short, around two or three pages in length. You may write these reflections on your own or collaboratively (i.e., in pairs). Use the preceding questions to guide your reflections, particularly those marked with an asterix.

Many thanks for your contributions to this assignment!!

Cindy