EDUC 463: MethodsTeaching Language Arts

Self-Evaluation
Student:

Dr. Pam Coke

Fall, 2014

Chris Vanjonack
Please evaluate your own contributions to this course:

Lead one large group discussion (10 points):

English Journal Article: I think that I did a solid job of leading the large group discussion with
my English Journal article about YA authors talking about appropriateness, censorship and
authorial responsibility. It was an interesting discussion, and although I could have done a
better job of asking follow up questions, I still think it was valuable.
Individual Assignments (40 points):
Philosophy of Teaching Statement (20 points): I was really happy with my philosophy
statement, both because I think I did a good job outlining my philosophy of teaching, and also
because it was distinctive to who I am as a teacher and person. I wish I would have had time to
revise it for you, but I took the notes that you gave me on it and made the revisions at a later
date.
Mini-Lesson (20 points):
Topic: Types of Comma Usage
I had so much anxiety about this assignment (teaching other teachers always has that affect on
me) but it ended up being a strong assignment. I had to improvise on the fly because I had it in
my head that we would have five group members rather than just three, but the improvised
lesson ended up being more effective than the one I had planned to teach. My revised lesson
plan included a think-pair-share activity that had my partners reading through examples of
commas to create their own rules. I thought I did a very effective job with this mini-lesson.
Professional Learning Community (70 points):
Weekly PLC Meetings (60 points): I feel like this is the main area in which I could have
improved. Ill be honest, these PLC readings fell to the wayside once or twice, and I feel like this
is the one aspect of the course that I neglected.
Work with Co-Teaching/Co-Planning: I will say though, that the PLCs turned around for me
once it clicked into focus that we would be utilizing co-planning and co-teaching in the lesson
plan. In class, I helped Garrett plan elements of his unit on 1920s literature (I had initially
planned to do the same unit, but that ended up changing). Outside of class, I worked with
Kelly, Kendall and Amanda to help each other brainstorm assignments, activities and lessons
for our respective units. I really enjoy co-planning. Im of the opinion that two heads are almost
always better than one, and I get a lot out of working with other teachers.

Yearlong plan (105 points): I thought that this was one of the strongest projects Ive put
together for an EDUC or English Ed class. It took a somewhat insane amount of time, but I
really got a lot out of planning a rough outline for an entire ear of instruction. I thought that my
overarching concept was strong, my units were largely related to that overarching concept, and
that my texts and culminating assignments were well chosen. This was a really amazing project
to put together, and (once it was finished) I loved it.

Unit plan (100 points): This Im a little more iffy on. I have a few concerns with my unit plan
that I guess Ill outline here. First off, my main concern is in regards to my unit matching up
well with my overarching concept. Because I already had some materials prepared for it, I
ended up doing my unit plan on Revolutionary Literature. Unfortunately, this was the unit that
was the least directly connected to my overarching concept. I already know that Ill lose points
there, Im just annoyed at myself for not having the foresight to think about that. Another
concern I have is in the sequence of my lessons. For the most part, I think Ive put together a
very well-organized unit, BUT I accidentally put it together so the lesson on The Declaration of
Independence comes before the lesson on Common Sense. This doesnt make on a
chronological level, but once I realized this (pretty egregious) error, I didnt have time to switch
things around. So thats a frustration. This was a really difficult assignment, but now that its
over I feel like I have a way better grasp on how to put a unit plan together. I feel that when I sit
down to do this for student teaching I will have learned from my mistakes and be better off for
it. Ultimately, I dont think my unit plan is as bad as Im making it out to be; probably, my
negativity is just because its three in the morning and Im very, very tired. This is a solid
project, but its not my best work and I wish I could have done more with it.

Comments: This was one of the hardest classes Ive taken, but also one of the most valuable (I
could say the same thing about this semester, actually). Thank you for pushing us to be better.
Ive learned so much in this class.

Grade: A-/B+
Due:

With your process/product conference; please upload to your Weebly with your Unit
Plan.