Jessica Yucha 12-4-2013 EDRL443

Reflection This process has been an exponential learning opportunity both in administering and interpreting assessments as well as applying this information in tailoring my literacy instructional techniques and strategies. I learned a great deal about my student, Wesley, in this process but even more so about myself as a teacher. It is one thing to be taught how to administer and analyze assessments in a college lecture but completely another to have the opportunity to actually apply it to a student. I learned so much in regards to utilizing the information given from the assessment results to construct individualized and differentiated instruction for my student. I especially appreciate the experience in having to adapt to different and changing circumstances; as we all know much of being a successful teacher is being a flexible one, and this experience allowed me the opportunity to alter my curriculum as necessary along the way. Perhaps my biggest Aha!! moment throughout this process was about 4 lessons in. I was really struggling with engaging Wesley in my activities until I realized that my focus was misdirected; I was so concerned with writing cute and creative lesson plans yet I needed to be

focusing on the basics. As I wrote in one of my lesson plan reflections, I was asking Wesley to paint me a beautiful picture but I hadnt even handed him the paintbrush yet! And so we started with the basics. I provided Wesley with some Handy Reading Strategies that focused on word decoding and fluency. We talked about what fluency actually is and how we were going to work on it. I focused on choosing appropriate reading level books for him and having him make authentic connections with the text. I listened to Wesley; when he expressed frustration we worked it out together, when he expressed interest we would elaborate. The result was a tremendous amount of progress which showed in both Wesleys attitude towards our tutoring sessions as well as in his work. I was extremely proud of him, but whats even more important is that Wesley ended this experience proud of himself.