Slide Show

Last Day - Gonna Miss Effie!

Today was my last day and I can honestly say that I am going to miss all the students!  I wish that our last class together could have been more interactive than a quiz over the material we had been covering all week, but I guess you have to wrap up somehow.   Some students asked if I would stay or even come back and I think that if I were going to stay in Fairbanks I would definitely consider returning. 

At the end of the day there was a snow shoe race between all classes.  It was a relay race, where each group representing each class had to run a trail in snow shoes and be the first back to make a fire, boil a cup of water and make their teacher tea.  It was an awesome activity that involved the whole school and included aspects of Alaska Native culture and traditions.  It was a perfect way to end my experience at Effie Kokrine.  It is a wonderful school filled with kids that have larger than life personalities and really do want to learn.  

Reflecting on my experience, I have realized that although my understanding of the schools educational dynamic may not be as knowledgeable as those that make Effie their home, my direct impression is that students found my method of instruction out of the ordinary.  My use of technology, which is common place in the development of teachers and students alike at my intern site, was seen as fascinating; motivating even.  My Socratic method of discussion and lack of text usage seemed profound.  Both were valued by the students and the supervising teacher alike.  These same techniques of instruction in a school where they are common place require me to further develop strategies to get the kind of response from my own students.

 

Day 3-4

The last two days have been very productive and fun! We have continued our discussion on WWI but have focused mostly on the new technologies and women's role during the war.  I figured that would address a diverse set of  interest in the class.  I also brought in a movie to show certain scenes that really exemplify trench warfare and the romanticized view of the war.  The movie proved to be a happy medium between discussion and lecture.  None of the students had ever seen Legends of the Fall, so it was nice to observe their reactions to the trench warfare scene and of course to Brad Pitt (sighs from the girls, eye rolls from the boys).  

The students asked very thoughtful questions during class discussion and it gave me a sense of gratification that I was able to provoke such questions, especially from students that hadn't really spoken all week.  

Day 2: Excitement over power point!

Today went really good.  The kids warmed up to me quickly.  I find it funny and interesting that my ethnicity played a role in their immediate acceptance of me.   I found that students were eager to listen to someone that was actually talking to them and not reading out of text book.  All eyes were on me for 50 minutes and I felt a sense of appreciation and INTEREST!!! Students were interested in HISTORY! Imagine that! 

The classroom was not equipped with a power point viewer so I had to track one down and set it up, which was definitely a test of my technological prowess (had to find help!). With so, little time to prep for the lesson, I figured a power point was better than reading from the text, and it ended up being a big hit.  The students loved the pictures and sound effects, etc.  I mixed up their routine and they were interested in seeing where I was going with it.  

World History was not the only subject area I was involved in.  Students were practicing for the HSQE in English.  Since there was a combination of freshman and sophomores the class was divided between Mr. Bowen and I.  I was given the freshman class and sent to computer lab to work with them.  There were about 5 students the first class and about 7 students the second class.  Students were more interested in talking to me about history or their lives than focusing on the practice tests.  I acknowledged that having been in their shoes, I would be agreeable to talk about anything else besides english grammar!  After offering them some of my time I asked for some of theirs and work got done. 

Day 1 - Holy Moley: I'm gonna be busy this week!

Today was my first day at Effie and I can honestly say I am more tired today than I have been after spending an entire day at West Valley.  One would think that I would be energetic given that I didn't have to be at the school unit 9:30 a.m. instead of 7:15 a.m.  However, I saw six classes instead of my regular three, and I saw every student, at the very least, twice. There were some students I saw up to four times.  

My mentors for the week are Mr. Bowen and Mr. Snow.  I spent all day with Mr. Bowen who teaches English, Developmental English, World History, and Health!  He has a lot on his plate needless to say! His background is in English so when he introduced me to the students he said, "you guys are in for a real treat! Mrs. Salinas is a history expert and will be taking over for history this week." It was amusing to hear the students reaction which was very welcoming and most of them seemed excited.  

It turns out that I came in right in the middle of WWI in the history class, so Mr. Bowen asked that I take the rest of the week and do an overview of what they had already talked about and finish up the war.  Initially I didn't think that it would take a whole week to do this.  However, when you take into account that the classes are shorter by almost half and the students require a longer period of time to fully attain comprehension of the material, this task would definitely take me all week.   Of course I was  more than happy to oblige, and I am excited to bring in other sources besides the text for the students to absorb themselves in.  

Overview of Effie Kokrine Charter School

Effie Kokrine is a free public school available to both Native and non-Native students in grades 7-12.  This school is designed for students looking for an educational experience that includes smaller classes, individual learning styles, a non-traditional calendar, and lessons that integrate both traditional and contemporary knowledge.  Effie Kokrine provides students with the opportunity to "learn about - and learn within" - the Alaska Native culture, as the curriculum is based on Alaska Native culture, beliefs, and values.  

Students are "encouraged to recognize and use their most effective learning style whenever possible."  Students participate in lots of hands-on projects on real-life activities that include interaction with elders, parents, and the community.  Although the curriculum is based on Alaska Native culture, students are still required to take state and local tests including the High School Qualifying Exam.  

Effie Here I Come!

Although I am unable to go to any of the rural villages offered for the rural practicum experience, I have been given the opportunity to go to Effie Kokrine Charter School here in Fairbanks.  I really don't know what to expect from this week long experience.  However, I hope to gain better insight on how place-based programs are implemented.  I am really interested in learning how teachers incorporate both traditional Native culture and contemporary knowledge into the curriculum.