Proposition+Four


 * __Proposition 4: Teachers Think Systematically about Their Practice and Learn from Experience__**
 * NBCT's model what it means to be an educated person-they read, they question, they create and they are willing to try new things
 * They are familiar with learning theories and instructional strategies and stay abreast of current issues in American education
 * They critically examine their practice on a regular basis to deepen knowledge, expand their repertoire of skills and incorporate new findings into their practice

= Artifact: The Cafe Book by: Gail Boushey and Joan Moser = = = Description: This book outlines the "cafe" method which is an acronym for: comprehension, accuracy, fluency and expanding vocabulary. This method is used in primary classrooms as the basis for the readers workshop.

Analysis: I have used this book to help as the springboard for my reader's workshop in the classroom. The system helps with differentiation which allows the teacher time to work in conferring with students and helps foster independent work skills in children as young as kindergarten. I have just implemented this in January 2011 however, I've already seen amazing amounts of growth and independence in my students. They will self select "just right" books and will work on responding to the literature that they have chosen to read.

= Artifact: Engaging Young Writers Preschool-Grade 1 By: Matt Glover = = =

Description: This book outlines a system for teaching writer's workshop for the early primary grades. It is a completely different system than the Lucy Calkin's Writer's Workshop model used in many classrooms today.

Analysis: After a member of my plc team attended an convention and heard Matt Glover speak she came back to school excited to tell us all about Glover's model. Ten minutes into the description of his process I was sold. I purchased the book and read through it and then implemented this model in my classroom. We had been using the Calkin's model at the time and I could see that my students were bored and had lost their spark. Glover's model of writing is based on picture books and real life books. You use the picture books in your mini-lessons to teach students how to use speech bubbles, punctuation, writing with feeling, creation of summary pages, author pages, etc. I was overwhelmed at the excitement that introducing this to my students created. They are eager to write every day and the creative pieces that they are producing get me excited about teaching writing every day.

= Artifact: Teaching With Intention by: Debbie Miller = = =

Description: This book talks about ways that primary teachers can create a classroom that is a collaborative community that is built from the ground up every year with every new group of students.

Analysis: Since reading this book for my master's degree program I have implemented a lot of Debbie Miller's practices into my everyday teaching. I've given my students, who are five and six years old, much more ownership over elements in the classroom from organization of our library, ways to decorate the room to things that we concentrate on academically. It's really empowered my students and in turn, that has helped create a community where the children want to help the others succeed. They celebrate each other's accomplishments and encourage others when they may be struggling.