"Selecting Resources" Delving Deeper

I LOVE selecting resources for unit/lesson plans.  In this delving deeper our group chose to select resources for a 2nd grade unit in weather patterns.  It was so interesting to research possible fiction and nonfiction resources to suggest.  I used my own 2nd grade colleagues as a resource (which was a HUGE help in getting started) AND I used Amazon, which probably isn't the most professional way to do this type of research, but I found it helpful to be able to use their feature to "look inside the book" Amazon's reviews, although not professional, are detailed and helpful (I think).  We're going to be talking about selection tools and acquisition in Dr. Moe's class soon so I'm sure that I'll learn the "proper" way to do this.  I will say that it is very difficult to make a judgment call on the "worth" of a resource without actually having it in my hand to evaluate.

Eeyore

Apparently, I'm an Eeyore.  One of our first assignments in class was to take a personality survey and the results from it identified for each of us a Winnie the Pooh character identity that pertained to how we functioned on a team.  Eeyores are quiet, reflective, and creative which is pretty dead on correct for me.  I was very nearly a Rabbit - who is focused on organization, which is pretty true for me too but I think Eeyore was most correct. 

It is interesting that my first group for our first 2 projects in class was made up of 3 Eeyores and 2 Rabbits but again, it makes total sense when I look back at how our group functioned.  We were very focused and organized, we only "met" together one time for each assignment because everyone preferred to individually reflect on the project and compile a google doc as information or ideas were formed, and we definitely came up with very creative products with both projects.  The other groups both did very standard presentations whereas our group made a "padlet" (super cool btw) and a "fakebook" as final products for our presentations.  I honestly loved working in a group with people that functioned the same as me but I can see where teams could be made even better with more diverse personalities. 

The first 2 group projects went very well - the first one on the constructivist learning method was very enlightening.  I think I teach the majority of my lessons this way (it lends itself to Art very well as all of our art lessons are accompanied by hands-on projects).  It makes sense that students learn more completely by "experiencing" things for themselves.  Our second project on inquiry-based research methods was also very cool.  I can see the importance of having very detailed and particular ways to teach children how to research and problem-solve.  We focused on the Big 6 in our group which is a very stream-lined approach to research.  It was difficult to choose one of the methods over another without having seen them in action and because many of the methods were VERY similar to one another. 

First Impressions and What Brought Me Here

I was nervous about starting something totally new but, after having my first 2 classes, I am sure that I am in the right place.  It seems that I'm not the only person in my cohort with a non-education background which makes me feel less like a "fish out of water."

After finishing my undergrad work in architecture and starting to work in the field, I knew immediately that I could not do that for the long haul.  Design school was so interesting and "hands-on" but the field of architecture was SO different. I spent my long 10+ hour days staring at a computer screen drawing shower details and wall sections.  When the economy went crazy and I got laid off a few years later, I was upset but also subconsciously relieved.  I unenthusiastically looked for other architecture opportunities but, in the back of my mind, was already thinking about what else I could do.  After moving back to our hometown with my husband, I accepted a job with Wentworth Elementary school teaching visual art.  I immediately loved the job and looked for ways to advance my non-licensed teacher assistant position within the school system.  I was immediately drawn to the library.  I've always loved children's books - when I was having my daughter, other friends of mine who were also pregnant were buying diapers, clothes, "practical things".  I was buying books.  She was going to have the most extensive baby library in North Carolina.  After finding out that the librarian at our school also went through Appalachian's MLS program, I began looking into my options.

I do not regret my original decision to go to architecture school.  I think that it gave me a very diverse education and taught me how to thing creatively - something that may be able to help me bring something new to the field of library science.  I actually see a great deal of similarities between the "minds" of architects and librarians which is very comforting.  I feel like both fields require a certain balance of left brain and right brain thinking.  Creativity and logic seem to be equally important.  I am definitely very balanced in my thinking - whenever I've taken those quizzes that are supposed to tell you which side of your brain is dominant, mine have always been almost exactly equal.  My 2 favorite subjects in school were math and literature.  I guess what I'm getting at is that it takes a certain kind of person to do any job (there's no way that I could do ANYTHING in health care - I'm not wired that way) and that I think I've finally found something that fits my personality and strengths perfectly AND gives me the opportunity to be "hands-on," to build something tangible and usable by a diverse, collection of people, and to make a difference in people's lives.  I am beyond excited to see where the next few years takes me!