Entry Four

     I'm not sure if I can name three examples, only two, of how my cooperating teacher engages the learners in meaningful ways. This is mainly because I have been given the opportunity to work with students one-on-one so I don't always get to see what is happening within the classroom. Although one way she does engage them, that I enjoy, is that while learning, or introducing, new words she has the students gather on a square rug and for each word they pair up with the person next to them and use the word in a sentence. They also write the words out using their finger on a person's back or on the floor in front of them.
     A second way that she engages learners is that she has the class take turns in groups of about five to use the computers that are available in the back of the classroom to help with their English. Although I am not entirely sure what the specific activities are, but I know the students look forward to having their turn to use and practice on the computers daily.
     Finally, it was hard to think of one example where the instruction was not particularly engaging. This was because I feel like she has been very engaging with the class. One lesson I suppose could change would be the worksheets for their new spelling words that they fill out on their own. I guess she could have them work in small groups together instead of individually. Instead of having them doing just a worksheet, certain physical activities could be included into it. One activity that could be used was shown in a video clip in an earlier module where students are given a certain amount of cut out letters to form their words as well as others.

Entry Three

    What I have noticed while doing my service-learning is that when it comes to making students feel loved I noticed on my first day that she has a student of the week where each student has an opportunity to make a poster all about them and students get to ask them questions. 

    She also has it so when it's a student's birthday the class sings to them, they get to tell the class what they are wishing to get for their birthday, and their classmates each write them a birthday wish that they hope that they get, which is then given to them. 

    When it comes to recognizing students' skills and encourage a positive classroom community she points out what a student has done right to the class and usually gives them class money. Also, to establish a positive relationship she gives each student as many positive and remarks as she can whether it's to the class as a whole, working with a small group, or working one-on-one. 
    She usually puts a lot of focus on what students were able to do whether what they weren't able to do and give them inspiration to try harder and keep doing what they're doing. She will also reinforce her comments by giving students fist bumps, telling them to give themselves a pat on the back, or gives high fives.

Student Needs Infographic

Entry Two

    Unfortunately, I have not been able to begin my service learning quite yet. The teacher that I will be working with and I were only able to get a workable schedule set up only a day ago, and so I won't be starting my service learning until Monday. So, I can't make any connections yet with that class, but I will try to make connections with my last service learning placement, which took place at the same school in the elementary library, from what I can remember.
    I feel that the learning theory that I saw being used by the teacher was behaviorism. If the students displayed positive behavior, then they were given the benefit of checking out a book. While if they displayed negative behavior, then they didn't receive that benefit. It was also the same for if they brought back their checked-out books. If they brought them back, then they were able to check out another book. While if they didn't, then they were unable to. Also, when it came to individual learning preferences she would show video trailers for new books being released, do audio books with songs and follow along with the actual book, do read alouds which usually included audience participation, and finally silent reading time.

Entry One

     The school that I have decided to try to do service learning at is Westside Elementary in Springville, Utah. I have yet to learn about the students I will be working with in my service learning placement, but Westside is a co-ed public school in the Nebo School district. I grew up in this area and attended this school growing up and I felt it was a great school to attend. The Nebo School District's mission statement is "we engage, empower, and collaborate to ensure student success". The school received a 5 out of 10 rating and the neighborhood is quite large, but for the most part is quiet, friendly, and has a low crime rate. 
     I previously did some service learning at this school and enjoyed the hands-on experience. The teachers and staff that I met and worked with had been quite friendly and dedicated to their work. Finally, my understanding of service learning is that it is the chance for students to observe, experience, and volunteer inside of a classroom. It helps those who are thinking of pursuing a career in teaching to have hands-on experience. It helps students to determine if it's the career for them and help give them the experience and knowledge of what goes on in a classroom.