Reflection of Creation on My Own Myth Blog #3

 For Blog #3, I want to reflect on how creating my own myth enhanced my understanding of myth as a whole. In the process of developing my myth, I first had to research different myths to find one that interested me. This research helped me see how myths often revolve around powerful gods, each with unique abilities that shape the world. As I immersed myself in these stories, I became inspired by how gods were idolized in ancient times for their strength and influence. This inspiration led me to craft my own myth, drawing from the elements that fascinated me most. By actively engaging with myths—rather than just reading them—I was able to connect with the themes on a deeper level. The excitement I felt while exploring different myths fueled my creativity and allowed me to develop my own unique story. In the end, creating a myth wasn’t just an assignment; it was an experience that deepened my appreciation for mythology. It helped me see myths not just as ancient stories but as meaningful reflections of culture, belief, and imagination.

From this experience, I learned that active engagement—such as creating something based on what I study—deepens understanding and makes learning more meaningful. This is something I can apply in my future teaching. Instead of just having students read and analyze myths, I could encourage them to create their own, allowing them to connect personally with the material. This experience also reinforced the importance of research and inspiration in the learning process. I saw firsthand how exploring different myths sparked my creativity and made the subject more exciting. As a teacher, I want to help students find what interests them and use that as a foundation for deeper learning. Beyond teaching, this lesson applies to life in general. When I immerse myself in something I enjoy and take an active role in learning, I gain more than just knowledge—I develop creativity, critical thinking, and a personal connection to what I’m studying.

Blog #2

Writing about poetry has helped me become more aware of patterns and rhyme schemes, which I also try to use in my poetry. When I analyze a poem, I look for how the poet uses structure, which helps me think about how to use similar techniques when writing. Both writing poetry and writing about poetry require me to be inspired either to create meaning in my work or to understand the meaning in someone else’s.

However, there are differences. When I write my poetry, I know why I choose certain words or patterns because they come from my thoughts and feelings. In contrast, I have to research and interpret the poet’s meaning when I write about someone else’s poetry since I don’t know their exact intentions. While both processes involve finding patterns, I have a clearer understanding of my choices when writing my poetry because they stem from my thoughts and feelings.

From this experience, I learned how important it is to put ourselves in the poet’s shoes to understand the writing process and its inspirations better. This insight can help me teach my students to connect more deeply with different types of poetry. I also realized how essential it is to explore the poet’s history, time period, and background, as these factors can shape the poem’s meaning. By helping students consider these aspects, I can guide them to develop a stronger appreciation and understanding of poetry. Encouraging students to explore a poet's background, historical context, and the era in which they lived can greatly enhance their appreciation of poetry. This approach helps foster a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the artistic choices made by poets and the themes they address.

Welcome to My new Blog!

Hello everyone,

Thank you for visiting my blog! Here, I’ll be sharing my experiences in English 495 and reflecting on my journey to become a secondary education teacher. My goal is to teach high school English, with a special focus on supporting newcomer students. As someone who arrived in the U.S. at 15 without knowing English, I understand the challenges of adapting to a new language and culture. This experience drives my passion for teaching and helping students embrace their bilingual identities.

In today’s classroom, media technology plays a vital role. It helps teachers connect with students and provides resources that make learning more diverse, engaging, and accessible. Technology allows for personalized learning, making it easier to meet the individual needs of each student.

As a student, I’ve witnessed both the effective and ineffective use of media technology. For instance, platforms like Remind helped me stay organized by sending reminders for homework and assignments. We also used websites where we could share our writing anonymously, which allowed us to practice without fear of judgment. I also enjoyed interactive games like Kahoot that helped reinforce topics in a fun and engaging way.

However, I’ve also seen ineffective uses of technology, such as when teachers failed to monitor our online activity. In these cases, it was too easy to get distracted by other websites and not focus on the lesson. While social media and online resources can be beneficial, they need to be used thoughtfully to prevent distractions.

Ultimately, I believe media technology is a powerful tool in education, but it must be used purposefully and with careful consideration to maximize its potential.