Brooke Johnson

MWPTeacherLeadershipInstituteJournalEntries
Journal Entry 1: Reflecting on the Multigenre Experience
July 7, 2017

When I learned about the multigenre assignment we had to do over the book Thrive, my original
thought was that it was a pretty cool assignment, but I immediately reflected that I have done 3
multigenres already-- two in my undergrad and one for another graduate course. While I loved doing
multigenres before, it was beginning to feel a bit repetitive.

However, while I was already very familiar with the process and different techniques, I still learned a lot
through this process. For one, I had never analyzed reading through a multigenre format before. This
was a really unique way to explore a book because it made me dig deeper into all aspects of the reading,
from the parts I thought were really interesting to the parts I thought were rather dull. It also allowed
me to spend more time making connections between the reading and myself and figuring out how I can
adapt my teaching in the future. As with any other multi-genre, I really enjoyed being able to express
how I felt in many different formats rather than writing a typical reflection.

As I approach the next school year, I am going to consider assigning a MG project to one of my classes to
do over a book. I already have students do MG projects now, but they dont have to do it over a certain
topic. While there are pros and cons to assigning certain topics for students to write about, especially
with a project they are going to have to work on for a long period of time, I think it could be worth it
since students can still take the project in many different directions.

Now I wish a rubric was included with this so I could use it for ideas for my classroom. I always hate
putting a grade on their projects!

Journal Entry 2: Reflecting on the First Day (well, my first day!)

I would be lying if I said I was excited to crawl out of bed early this morning to head to school. Between
being exhausted from the time change and experience hunger at random times (people dont think
about how the time change messes up when you eat!!), I was just not in the mood, but when I arrived
on campus that quickly changed. I was also really nervous about starting two days later than everyone
else, but it felt pretty normal by the end of the day. I do wish I couldve been there for the celebration
on Friday, but thats okay. I am sure there will be another.

Over the course of my graduate program, Ive been really appreciative of online courses because of the
freedom to get work done on my time and the fact that I didnt have to drive anywhere. I hate driving. A
lot. But, Id forgotten the benefits of being present with others in class. Today reminded me of those.
For one, its so nice to be able to have real conversations with someone and bounce ideas off one
another. Its harder to do that online because there is a wait time. Also, because there isnt so long of a
wait time in responses and conversations happen at a quicker pace, you can have a conversation that is
more authentic and goes in different directions. I also began to learn that some people were far
different than I thought they were online. Sometimes its hard to write in sarcasm so you can think
someone is being a bit rude when really theyre a being funny. A lot of people also look pretty different
than their Moodle picture too, just sayin!

While I enjoyed many different aspects of the day, I really just have to say I like the conversation the
most, whether its discussions over readings and teaching demonstrations or just chatting during
lunches and breaks. Its nice to be with people who get you in a professional setting and experience the
same things you do on a daily basis. Its also nice learning about how things are different for teachers in
different grade levels.

Journal Entry 3: Reflecting on the Teaching Demonstration Debriefing

To follow off yesterdays journal entry, I am going to be honest right up front and admit this one is once
more about conversation. Today the people who had already completed their teaching demonstrations
had to come up with a debriefing question to pose to half of the class. They said their question, we had
time to ask clarifying questions, and then we discussed while the demonstrator listened to our
discussion. I really enjoyed how open-ended these conversations were and how everyone had a variety
of different opinions. At some points, our conversation got pretty deep. There were also more
opportunities to talk and have a close conversation since so few people were in the discussion. I also
thought it was interesting to hear how the demonstrator reflected on the conversation afterward.

I am also enjoying watching peoples teaching demonstrations. So far, each of them that Ive seen have
taught me something, but also affirmed that I am on the right track with something I am doing. For
example, Christys demonstration had a lot in common with how I teach similar content, so it was neat
to see someone else having the same successes I am with something. It almost confirmed that the
success I am seeing is real. I dont know if that really makes sense, but.

Its only been two days, but my brain is exhausted by the end of the day! So much thinking!

Also, some advice for people in the future: Dont take another summer class if youre doing the MWP
Teaching Institute. It feels impossible to complete tasks for both classes in the same week, even if youre
someone like me who pretty much had all assignments done beforehand. That is unless youre
Wonder Woman (and if so, I will take an autograph!).

Also, make sure your significant other doesnt propose the week before because all youll want to do is
wedding plan. What rough problems I have, right?
Journal Entry 4: Reflection of the Day
July 12, 2017

Another day down! We got to begin the day working with kids in the YAC. Kelsey and I worked together.
We cut out people/characters in the magazine article and the kids had to write a story as a day in the life
of one of them. There were some really cute kids in there. One moment that made me laugh, separate
of writing, was seeing the some of the little girls talking. They were talking about the pictures and what
they saw in the images, and one girl says to the other, Youre just something else! The second little girl
responds by saying, Well being something is better than being nothing! I thought that was really cute,
and she had a point. That comment could be pretty deep if someone really wanted to get into it.

Then it was nice to finally get some time to work in writing groups. I definitely thought there would be
more time for writing and working with my writing group this week, so Ive been a little bit disappointed
in that.

In the afternoon, we had two great teaching demonstrations, however, I have to say I really liked
Amandas a lot because I was able to learn more about her job while also getting advice on teaching ESL
students. Although I havent had an ESL students in my classroom, Ive had foreign exchange students in
my homeroom and I also teach low level reading to students so I felt like I could transfer some of the
skills Amanda taught us into those situations.

I am getting more and more anxious to do my teaching demonstration. Ive been prepared since
yesterday so I just want to get it done with. Ive never been good at waiting!

Journal Entry 5: Another day!

A rainy day-- Yay! I know that sounds terrible because I usually am all about the sun, but its so much
harder to be productive for the day when youre daydreaming about being outside. The flip side is I did
not want to wake up this morning. I kept thinking, I am on summer vacation! Let me sleep! I know I
had the vacation of a lifetime, but it hasnt felt like summer vacation yet (Im not really complaining---
but I sort of am).

Today we began the day with book talks, which I have been looking forward to all week. I love hearing
what people I know have to say about books before I purchase them or hearing about new books in
general. Just more to add to my long list of books I need to read. I have a list of book to read in my
notebook, my Stickies (on my computer), my Amazon account, and my notebook.
I also really liked being able to do the EdCamp because it was so relaxed. Not all of the things we talked
about were new, but they were at least good reminders. That was something I could definitely
appreciate. I do have some new resources that I am excited about though.
Journal Entry 6: Celebrate!
July 14, 2017

Its hard to believe that today is the last day! We began the morning with my teaching demonstration,
which was better to do right at the beginning. I thought it went pretty well and I received good
feedback, so I can appreciate that. Then we got to my favorite part, which is the debriefing questions. I
always wish I could be part of, or at least listen, to all of the conversations. I wonder how we can
implement that in our classrooms and within our departments.

Overall, there is a lot I am left thinking about this week, and as I keep thinking, I keep jotting things
down in my notebook. As I am sitting here, Kelsey shared with me that she wrote about 5 things she is
going to take away from this and incorporate into her education world, so I think I will do the same.

1. EdCamp-- Can we please start doing that in my school?