Session 1: Assessing Participant’s Knowledge and Skills

This session is designed to assess teacher candidates’ entry-level knowledge of the literary contributions of Jesus Colon and relevant on-line resources that enhance the teaching-learning process.

Read Aloud
“Sarah,” a character sketch that appears in Jesus Colon’s New York Puerto Rican. Colon states succinctly the storyline of this sketch which has universal appeal transcending time and place, “Sometimes we work with people for years; we see them and talk to them every day. But we don’t actually know them.”

Elicit reader/listener Responses
In what ways does this selection speak to you?

Conduct an uninterrupted read-aloud to capture the range of reactions prompted by the selection. After the read aloud, probe to make transparent the range of reactions:

What pattern of responses is evident?
How did we respond to this selection as a group?

Discussion

• How many would recommend this selection to a peer?
• How many are interested in learning more about this author?
• What would you want to know about this author?

Chart responses on newsprint. For each session, 2-3 course participants will be responsible for translating, synthesizing (using Inspiration) and digitalizing information recorded on newsprint and posting on Black Board for review after each session. These documents will provide an ongoing record of our collective responses and help to create consciousness of our mutual influence and how we are changing over time.

Identify the author of this selection and probe:

• Why do you suppose you have heard so little about the literary contributions of Jesus Colon?
• Would you agree that it is important to know about Jesus Colon’s writings as a literacy educator in New York City?
• What clues do you have about the historical period when he wrote from this selection?
• Where could you go to find out more about him?
  (List responses on experience chart and date. Synthesize information and post on our website/blackboard course)

Web-Based Assignment
Teacher candidates will review select websites identified through a search engine (e.g., Google) and which met criteria of relevance to educators, accuracy of information, and use of multimedia technologies. Collaborate with technology specialists on faculty in creating course-appropriate criteria.

Directions to Participants
Record on one side of a double-entry journal what you learn about
(1) Jesus Colon’s life and times as a chronology or timeline,
(2) his literary contributions,
(3) his contemporaries,
(4) instructional activities on this author.
On the other side of the journal, indicate what you found engaging about how information is presented on these websites.

1. The Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute. “The Hispanic View of the Urban Setting” by Myrella Lara

2. Facing History and Ourselves. “Little Things are Big” by Jesus Colon; Little Things are Big: Connection Questions