History of Dubuque Reflection #1

My objective for the day was to introduce myself to the students, get to know them,

and finally go over the history of the fourth street elevator. The beginning of the lesson was

started by introducing ourselves and saying our favorite hobby, favorite things in history to

learn about, and what they are most excited to learn about during the Dubuque history project.

I thought this was a great way to tie in the history aspect as well as learning about each other.

After the introductions, I explained that we will be writing on an informational guide

each week that will have them journal about what they want to know, what they know, and

what they learned. This will give me an idea of their interests, their background knowledge, and

what I need to go over next time in order for them to be experts on the material. They were

great listeners and are a very smart group and I’m excited to see their creative thinking skills in

the weeks to come.

We then went right to the website. I think that getting the link for the website and

having them type it in took way too long. I don’t think my time management was in the right

place when doing this. I know for next time to make sure that little things like this are ready to

go instead of taking up precious time.

Lastly, I was so proud of how invested my students were. If they didn’t know an answer,

they looked for it. They were all involved equally. I thought it was a nice touch to have them

each read to me some of the things on the website rather than me talking the whole entire

time. I thought this was a nice touch in having them be the teachers but also to enhance their

reading skills and participation. They asked very good questions, some that I did not know the
answer to. Although I was disappointed in myself for not having direct answers, I was happy to

know that they are using deeper level thinking during this project. For next time, I know to do

more research and have those answers all ready to go. At the end of the lesson, I went back and

re asked questions that I had previously asked to see whether they were listening or not. This

was when I was most excited, one of the students knew the answer to how much money each

of the 10 neighbors who invested in to the elevator spent. I was not expecting them to know

the answer at all.

Although I had many highs, I have more research and work to do. I am going to bring

more information in and be over prepared so that I can cover more ground since these students

are able to work at a faster pace.

DBQ History Reflection #2

On day two we started off with a test of knowledge over the content we learned during

our previous meeting. I made sure that I had questions that were asked in the previous lesson

on this test of knowledge quiz. I let them use each other as help. I was really proud of

everyone’s thinking and hard work. Although some of them didn’t know an answer, at least one

or two people knew the answer to each one. I was really proud on how they remembered the

content from the previous week.

We then went on to the website to view information on Cooper Wagon Works. I began

by handing them a piece of paper in which they could write down important and interesting

information that they saw. During the first week I had them read aloud and this week I had

them each read the website silently and urged them to take down notes as they went along. I
gave them about 15 minutes to do this and then we shared out some of the things that we had

written down. After we shared, we then used the information they had written down and

transferred it to a graphic organizer. I thought this technique was helpful for their learning.

They were able to process the information from the website, to their notes, and finally to their

organizer. I would not change the way I taught this. I think everything went smoothly.

For next time, I am hoping to finish up the website on street cars with them. I plan to

use some time of graphic organizer and another test of knowledge so I know whether or not I

have to go over some of the content. I love working with these group of children. They ask

great questions and even have me do some deeper thinking.

Dubuque History Reflection #3

Overview of the day:

First I began by asking them what we learned the week prior and then asked them if

they remember what we were going to be learning about today. I then explained the

worksheets that we would be completing and then we began to look at the Weebly. I had them

read the street cars page by themselves and after they did, they had to record what a street car

looked like, what they know about them, what they want to know more about, and their

favorite thing they learned. I thought I did a nice job at emphasizing that they can’t write word

for word from the website and that they needed to summarize. I thought they were proud to

tell me what they could come up with in their own words.

 I know I say this in every reflection but I think my students do such a good job at deeper

level thinking and they really try hard to understand the content. They ask great questions so I

know they are interested and want to learn more.

I have a hard time with one of my students to get him to write down things. He likes to

take his time. These 4 students seem to enjoy each other and sometimes they get distracted

and talk to each other which takes away from their learning. I think I can work harder to get

them to focus on their work rather than sharing out all the time to one another because it

causes distractions.

DBQ History Reflection #4

Today, I decided to focus on teaching the students using a picture walk. I set up pictures

of our three topics around the tables and they were each numbered one through eleven. On

another sheet of paper, the students would write down what they thought the picture was and

details about the picture. I thought that was a way for the students to work and think

independently and use their creative ideas rather than take the ideas from their peers. It was a

way for them to really dig deep into what they see in the picture and they were each able to

write down different ideas from one another.

I thought that I could have done a better job at organizing it all but I think the students

were able to understand what they were supposed to do. I thought today was a little more of a

struggle because the students were distracted by all of the new things they saw and what the

other students were doing. I think it was hard for me to keep them on task because of this

reason but I was able to cover all of the material that I wanted to. I didn’t think that I did the
best job teaching today but I felt better after I heard one of my students say, “this was

definitely my favorite time so far.” I think the pictures were cool for them to see because we

hadn’t seen anything like them and they were able to gather more information from them. I’m

glad they were able to find some unique things with these photos and I hope it can carry over

into the future lessons.

I think that the center of Dubuque was a great way for the students to get out of a

regular classroom and engage in learning through a different atmosphere. Overall I need to just

make better time management so that we aren’t rushing to get things done because we do

have limited time together. I have lots of fun with my group and I look forward to working more

with them each week.

History of Dubuque Reflection #5

Today, my students and I completed a graphic organizer to help organize their writing

for their paper. I introduced them to what a paper included and what needed to be in each

section. On the paper it included a title section, introduction, three main points and details,

plus a conclusion. Once they were done with the organizer they then were asked to transfer it

over to line paper. I made sure that they were able to use their prior notes to help them fill out

their organizer.

I thought this day did not go smoothly. I think that they were so distracted by one

another and what each other was saying. I knew that they did not like to write at all so I tried

the best I could to keep them on track. I think that they were able to come up with clever
introductions and to my surprise had some pretty good conclusions as well. I was proud of

them for that as well.

For the most part, they finished everything that I wanted them to finish. Most of them

almost finished writing what was on the organizer onto their lined paper. I have one student

who moves slower, which is okay, but I’m hoping once he sees what others have done that he

will try and step up.

Overall, I am happy with what I was able to accomplish. I think that I need to find a

better way to keep my students on track since writing is not their favorite thing. I am hoping to

find more ways to get them to enjoy a writing process rather than stress over it.

History Reflection #6

This trolley ride was not what I was expecting it to be. I had a lot of fun hanging out with

my students and getting to know other students as well.

My objective for the day was to have the students see their historical sites and be able

to talk about them and ask them what they know. All of the other groups were able to say a

few facts about their places and my students were super excited to tell some facts but they

were not given the opportunity. We passed the what used to be Cooper Wagon Works, but it

was not mentioned to the rest of the bus, I had to tell my students and they were disappointed

that they weren’t able to talk about it to everyone. They were super interested with everyone

else’s historical sites and were very engaged and listened so well. I was so impressed with how

well they behaved and if they got too far ahead from me when we got off the bus they knew
right away to come back and walk by my side. They listened to the man speaking on the bus

and were quiet when they needed to be. They asked so many questions about historical sites

and I was proud of them.

Overall, I wish there was more time for my students to talk about their site and explain

what they know to their classmates. Even with that being said, I did enjoy my time with my

students and seeing how well they interact with each other and how comfortable and

respectful that they are to me. I know no one is to blame in this situation and I thought this was

a good opportunity as well. So thank you for letting us be a part of this day with our students!