Reflection+3




 * __Reflection for February 28th and March 1st__**

The goal that Miguel and I had for this week was to complete the packet. This was the simple task of copying, and often expanding on, the facts that were featured in the outline of facts that we had previously completed. This will be the final step before actually creating the Storykit. We did indeed complete writing out the facts in the rough draft, so we moved on to finding pictures and discussing illustrations that Miguel could draw on the Storykit. We completed the first three chapters of the “book” and only need to find pictures for the final chapter that is about the author.

This week Miguel seemed very focused and motivated on getting the work done. I got the feeling that he is growing tired of the project and wants to move on to the more “interesting” part of the assignment, which includes being able to actually use the iPad. I feel that this week we were much more communicative and conversational, more like a team. One challenge that we had this week was putting the information in more book-like terms that would be interesting to the reader. Miguel’s preference is to speed through and give the bare minimum information, instead of really explaining and detailing information about Jesse Jackson. We dealt with this by talking about a goal that Miguel told me about during our second session. He told me that he normally doesn’t get As, and he really wanted to on this project. I assured him that if we followed the rubric, and if he followed my advice, there is no reason why he wouldn’t earn an A. Also, I reminded him that he is writing the book for people who don’t know anything about Jesse Jackson; therefore we need to give all of the important information so they don’t get confused.

This week I had to work on finding a delicate balance between being a taskmaster who only focused on charging ahead with the (looming) work, and being a buddy who is there to make the learning enjoyable. I think that on the continuum I did not hit that perfect middle ground, and instead erred on the side of friend, instead of educator. I do feel I was supportive this week, though. I did keep Miguel on track and remind him of our goals. I am also quite pleased with the talks we were able to have when he began to waver in working hard and how those discussions seemed to help motivate him a bit. In our next session I will work to be more on the side of educator who works to keep us productive, and not distracted.

In our next session we will be finishing with the pictures, and beginning the actual Storykit. I am very excited about this and am curious to see how this effects Miguel’s motivation and focus. How we will approach this week’s session. A goal that I left Miguel with last week was for him to think of pictures that he thinks are important (in addition to the ones we already have) that would be key in helping his classmates understand Jesse Jackson. He was unconfident about this “assignment,” so I hope to see him follow through. I will try to have him take responsibility for the rest of the pictures and put him more in-charge of the rest of the project. It is hard for me to relinquish control, so this will be a challenge for me. So, that is the goal I have for myself. For the project, my goal for the next week is to get Chapter One, Early Life on the Storykit in totality.