In my last post I will look at my personality as a future educator. I think it is important to show your students that you are an individual much like themselves and together you can achieve learning goals. There are some main personality traits that I think are important in a teacher such as caring, enthusiastic, personable, positive, thoughtful, respectful, good listener, honest, fair and kind. I believe all these characteristics are important to become a successful educator. I think that I hold all of these characteristics and many more that will help me on my professional road as a teacher. Each and every day I vow to show students that I care about them, I will listen to them, I respect them and I will always be positive. I believe no one gets anywhere good being negative. Most of all I am a strong believer in the words, you can achieve anything you want to. I think this will shine through my actions as an educator and help me as I guide students down their educational path.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Theory
A person's educational philosophy is about what they believe about education. It is these beliefs that guide their actions within the profession. As a future educator I find myself a progressivist. I believe that education should be child centred rather than teacher- centred. Teaching strategies that go along with this stance is problem solving, which is one of my favourite ways to teach. Progressivists also give many opportunities for students to work cooperatively in groups (Brown, Parker, 2009). I support this by giving students opportunities to work in groups so that they can learn off each other. Like the saying goes "two heads are better than one."
The ideas of progressivism come from the writings of John Dewey in the 1920's and 1930's where under Deweyan progressivism he made three general assumptions. One being that teaching students based on their "interests rather than from the academic disciplines" (Brown, Parker, 2009). I supported this in the classroom where there were many hockey fans when I used NHL.com to teach a math lesson where students used the statistics chart to compare numbers. The second assumption is about teaching to the whole child, taking into account their "cognitive, affective, and psychomotor areas" (Brown, Parker, 2009). I feel I supported this in the classroom by giving each child what they needed individually to achieve their best. The last assumption is that active learning is essential rather than passive (Brown, Parker, 2009). This once again is another one of my favourite teaching strategies. Active learning is far better for students to retain knowledge because they are active participates in the learning process. I believe active learning is crucial in the classroom and therefore I will strive to continue to support it in my future classrooms.
In all, I find myself in full support of progressivism and therefore will continue to support the main ideas carried within it. Teachers teach to their beliefs and therefore if you were to walk into my future classroom you would see problem solving in cooperative learning groups, the teacher helping individual students with their own special needs to help them achieve and active student learning through hands on activities.
Brown, Hilary, Darlene Ciuffetelli Parker, Ph.D. (2009). Foundational Methods: Understanding Teaching and Learning. Third Ed. Toronto, Ontario: Pearson Custom Publishing.
The ideas of progressivism come from the writings of John Dewey in the 1920's and 1930's where under Deweyan progressivism he made three general assumptions. One being that teaching students based on their "interests rather than from the academic disciplines" (Brown, Parker, 2009). I supported this in the classroom where there were many hockey fans when I used NHL.com to teach a math lesson where students used the statistics chart to compare numbers. The second assumption is about teaching to the whole child, taking into account their "cognitive, affective, and psychomotor areas" (Brown, Parker, 2009). I feel I supported this in the classroom by giving each child what they needed individually to achieve their best. The last assumption is that active learning is essential rather than passive (Brown, Parker, 2009). This once again is another one of my favourite teaching strategies. Active learning is far better for students to retain knowledge because they are active participates in the learning process. I believe active learning is crucial in the classroom and therefore I will strive to continue to support it in my future classrooms.
In all, I find myself in full support of progressivism and therefore will continue to support the main ideas carried within it. Teachers teach to their beliefs and therefore if you were to walk into my future classroom you would see problem solving in cooperative learning groups, the teacher helping individual students with their own special needs to help them achieve and active student learning through hands on activities.
Brown, Hilary, Darlene Ciuffetelli Parker, Ph.D. (2009). Foundational Methods: Understanding Teaching and Learning. Third Ed. Toronto, Ontario: Pearson Custom Publishing.
John Dewey. Stephan Hicks Ph.D. Dec. 2009.
Teaching Strategies
The most crucial, exciting and life changing thing that happens in the classroom is teaching. Every teacher wants to be able to reach every child and will strive to do so. In order to do that they use a variety of teaching strategies to improve student learning and create a more engaging learning environment. While there are so many teaching strategies to start naming them all I will point out a few that I will most definitely focus on in my future classroom.
Active learning I find is so important in the classroom. Young children are all about getting up and doing something and using their hands. I think this strategies benefits the classroom because children are far more likely to retain information if they took part in the gathering of the information. One way I implemented this in the classroom in my first block was giving all the children measuring tapes and had them measuring things around the room to find the difference. This lesson then extended into who is taller than who and the kids had lots of fun while they learned about finding the difference.
Another great strategy is experiential learning. Students learn through experimenting and coming to conclusion about what they did and saw. This is a great way for students to learn because they are teaching themselves and therefore are far more likely to understand. I implemented this in the classroom by cutting out cardboard gears and giving each group of students three different sized gears. The students experimented with different combinations of gears and found that the gears turn different ways. As well as that the small one turns around more than the larger ones. While some students may find out things faster than others teachers can use prompting. This teaching strategy allows the teacher to use the question "why?" giving the students the chance to explore and create their own knowledge.
One of my favourite strategies is problem-based learning. This is a great real- life learning experience that hooks students in every time. Problem solving is a great tool to teach students for not only their educational life but also the rest of their life. It gives students a chance to take on a problem head on and find a solution, a great life skill. I implemented this in the classroom when I gave students the problem of needing to furnish my new house that I just bought. I needed a couch, TV, washer, dryer etc. Students were to use advertisements or online shopping to furnish my house. Although I only had so much money to spend on each room. Students furnished my house, but behind the curtain they were adding and subtracting four digit numbers.
Overall there are so many teaching strategies and it is important to use a variety to attract each type of learner in your classroom. Engaging your students in the learning is an important step in the learning process.
Active learning I find is so important in the classroom. Young children are all about getting up and doing something and using their hands. I think this strategies benefits the classroom because children are far more likely to retain information if they took part in the gathering of the information. One way I implemented this in the classroom in my first block was giving all the children measuring tapes and had them measuring things around the room to find the difference. This lesson then extended into who is taller than who and the kids had lots of fun while they learned about finding the difference.
Another great strategy is experiential learning. Students learn through experimenting and coming to conclusion about what they did and saw. This is a great way for students to learn because they are teaching themselves and therefore are far more likely to understand. I implemented this in the classroom by cutting out cardboard gears and giving each group of students three different sized gears. The students experimented with different combinations of gears and found that the gears turn different ways. As well as that the small one turns around more than the larger ones. While some students may find out things faster than others teachers can use prompting. This teaching strategy allows the teacher to use the question "why?" giving the students the chance to explore and create their own knowledge.
One of my favourite strategies is problem-based learning. This is a great real- life learning experience that hooks students in every time. Problem solving is a great tool to teach students for not only their educational life but also the rest of their life. It gives students a chance to take on a problem head on and find a solution, a great life skill. I implemented this in the classroom when I gave students the problem of needing to furnish my new house that I just bought. I needed a couch, TV, washer, dryer etc. Students were to use advertisements or online shopping to furnish my house. Although I only had so much money to spend on each room. Students furnished my house, but behind the curtain they were adding and subtracting four digit numbers.
Overall there are so many teaching strategies and it is important to use a variety to attract each type of learner in your classroom. Engaging your students in the learning is an important step in the learning process.
Solving Boy. Manikandan V. June 23, 2010.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Classroom Management
I believe classroom management plays such an important role in creating the best learning environment. It is through classroom management strategies that teachers are able to free up the teacher to maximize teaching opportunities, run an efficient classroom and maximize student attention. There are some great classroom management strategies, to name a few, establishing routines, creating a community of learners, facilitating transitions and managing paperwork, materials and supplies.
As a new teacher I believe it is important to think about which tools you will use to implement these strategies in your own classroom. I think routines are so important for the classroom as it cuts down on wasted time and gives students clear directions. Routines that will be seen in my future classroom would be lining up properly, arrival and dismissal routines, bathroom routines, posting day agendas, homework board and a posted classroom schedule. To create a community of learners I would like to implement Tribes in my future classroom. Following the four agreements: attentive listening, mutual respect, no put downs and right to pass. I believe it is through these four agreements that that the classroom becomes a safe environment where students can achieve to their highest ability. I will also implement jobs within the classroom to help students learn responsibility. To facilitate transitions I will have activities posted to keep students engaged and homework recorded in their agendas to keep a line of communication with parents. For managing paper work, materials and supplies I will make sure to have designated areas or bins. Using these strategies I will continue to give students a greater sense of routine within the school day to accelerate learning opportunities within my classroom.
For more infomation on tribes visit: http://www.tribes.com/
As a new teacher I believe it is important to think about which tools you will use to implement these strategies in your own classroom. I think routines are so important for the classroom as it cuts down on wasted time and gives students clear directions. Routines that will be seen in my future classroom would be lining up properly, arrival and dismissal routines, bathroom routines, posting day agendas, homework board and a posted classroom schedule. To create a community of learners I would like to implement Tribes in my future classroom. Following the four agreements: attentive listening, mutual respect, no put downs and right to pass. I believe it is through these four agreements that that the classroom becomes a safe environment where students can achieve to their highest ability. I will also implement jobs within the classroom to help students learn responsibility. To facilitate transitions I will have activities posted to keep students engaged and homework recorded in their agendas to keep a line of communication with parents. For managing paper work, materials and supplies I will make sure to have designated areas or bins. Using these strategies I will continue to give students a greater sense of routine within the school day to accelerate learning opportunities within my classroom.
For more infomation on tribes visit: http://www.tribes.com/
Assessment
Assessment is the process that leads to evaluation, the final decision. Therefore the assessment process is vital for the attainment of a final mark. As a future teacher I continue to explore the endless assessment opportunities that can take place within the classroom. During assessment I will use a variety of methods to record data such as anecdotal notes, checklists, rating scales and rubrics. As an educator I believe it is important to use both traditional and authentic assessment, utilizing a variety of assessment strategies like portfolios, quizzes, tests, journals, presentations and performance based assessment. I think it is important to use a variety of assessment tools to give equal opportunity to the variety of intelligences framed by Dr. Howard Gardner.
On the other hand I do have a favourite type of assessment and that is performance based assessment. This type of assessment involves both the teacher and the student. It is my favourite because performance based assessment in nature focuses on evaluating students knowledge or skills using real life situations asking them "to demonstrate what they have learned by producing a product or performance" (Finlay, 2011). A well known example of this is problem solving. This is my favourite type of assessment due to the fact that it is the most exciting, realistic and multi-intelligent way of assessing student achievement. In addition utilizing self, peer and group assessment giving students the chance to reflect and learn through the evaluation of themseleves and their peers.
As a future educator I vow to assess my students in the most fair way possible and to the best of my ability. Students will have the opportunity to reflect and demonstrate what they have learned while at the same time demonstrating who they are as an individual student.
Finlay, Craig. Class Lecture. Assessment and Evaluation. Brock University, St.Catharines, ON. 5 Jan. 2011.
On the other hand I do have a favourite type of assessment and that is performance based assessment. This type of assessment involves both the teacher and the student. It is my favourite because performance based assessment in nature focuses on evaluating students knowledge or skills using real life situations asking them "to demonstrate what they have learned by producing a product or performance" (Finlay, 2011). A well known example of this is problem solving. This is my favourite type of assessment due to the fact that it is the most exciting, realistic and multi-intelligent way of assessing student achievement. In addition utilizing self, peer and group assessment giving students the chance to reflect and learn through the evaluation of themseleves and their peers.
As a future educator I vow to assess my students in the most fair way possible and to the best of my ability. Students will have the opportunity to reflect and demonstrate what they have learned while at the same time demonstrating who they are as an individual student.
Finlay, Craig. Class Lecture. Assessment and Evaluation. Brock University, St.Catharines, ON. 5 Jan. 2011.
Checklist. casey. June 27, 2010.
Ethical Standards
The teaching profession carries with it four main ethical standards that are to be upheld by every teacher. They are care, respect, trust and integrity. As a future educator I am committed to demonstrating each one to the best of my ability. I think people who love to be teachers automatically demonstrate care in everything they do, due to the fact that care is such a monumental part of being a teacher. Closely following that is trust. Students need to trust the source of the knowledge or they will not accept it. If students trust the teacher they are more open to accepting the knowledge that the teacher is trying to pass on to them therefore I believe trust is such a vital step in the learning process. Respect on the other hand I believe is not only a imperative in the classroom but rather a way of life in general. As a sociologist I believe respect needs to be intertwined throughout our society and maintained within the classroom learning environment to better our society as a whole. The final ethical standard, integrity is never the less just as important because as educators we are moral models for our students. We are not only teaching our students math, language and science, as educators we also must strive to instil great morality in each and every student. It is through such actions as these that teachers fulfill each ethical standard to their greatest ability.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
The Standards of Practice
There are five standards of practice for the teaching profession and I will address each one: commitment to students and student learning, leadership in learning communities, ongoing professional learning, professional knowledge and professional practice.
Showing leadership in the community is another important role of a educator and I plan to show my leadership through coaching after school sports. I think that school sports has such a positive impact on students and I cannot wait to guide students through their sporting adventures. In doing so I will always promote a positive team atmosphere and great sportsmanship.
I believe ongoing professional learning and professional knowledge go hand in hand and together they are so important in the 21st century as society continues to go through monumental changes at such a fast pace. I believe it is so important for teachers to be up to date on the ever changing information to give their students the best education possible. I think giving children old and most likely wrong information not only hinders their learning but sets it back. In order to stay current as a teacher I will enrol myself in professional learning opportunities continuously for as long as I am an educator.
Professional practice is important to me as it is the underlining of the profession. I believe that in order to educate at the highest level of achievement a teacher must use appropriate pedagogy, assessment and evaluation, resources and technology. It is through these aspects that gives the teacher the ability to meet the individual needs of each student. After all this the teacher must then take what they have done and reflect to reach their full potential as a successful teacher.
Each of the five standards of practice are a vital puzzle piece in the teaching profession puzzle. Educators like myself must continuously maintain each piece in order to achieve our goals to the greatest success.
You always hear people say that people who want to be teachers have always known they wanted to be teachers. I think this statement is true. As a future teacher I have known for a long time that I wanted to be a teacher because I love children and I love teaching children new things all the time. As a future educator I am fully committed to teaching students in and out of the classroom. I think that is the full extent of commitment when a teacher not only teaches their students in the classroom but as well as out of the classroom. Whether that be afterschool activities or during recess and this is something I am committed to doing!
Showing leadership in the community is another important role of a educator and I plan to show my leadership through coaching after school sports. I think that school sports has such a positive impact on students and I cannot wait to guide students through their sporting adventures. In doing so I will always promote a positive team atmosphere and great sportsmanship.
I believe ongoing professional learning and professional knowledge go hand in hand and together they are so important in the 21st century as society continues to go through monumental changes at such a fast pace. I believe it is so important for teachers to be up to date on the ever changing information to give their students the best education possible. I think giving children old and most likely wrong information not only hinders their learning but sets it back. In order to stay current as a teacher I will enrol myself in professional learning opportunities continuously for as long as I am an educator.
Professional practice is important to me as it is the underlining of the profession. I believe that in order to educate at the highest level of achievement a teacher must use appropriate pedagogy, assessment and evaluation, resources and technology. It is through these aspects that gives the teacher the ability to meet the individual needs of each student. After all this the teacher must then take what they have done and reflect to reach their full potential as a successful teacher.
Each of the five standards of practice are a vital puzzle piece in the teaching profession puzzle. Educators like myself must continuously maintain each piece in order to achieve our goals to the greatest success.
Puzzle Pieces: unknown, (March 24, 2010)
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