I believe…
Click on the image below for a wordle summary of my philosophy of education.
A classroom should be warm and inviting. Using aesthetically appealing décor is one way to achieve this goal. To me an aesthetically pleasing class is organized, includes a variety of natural materials, and has bright colors. Other ways to make a classroom inviting is by greeting students at the door, creating a welcome centre, and by taking the time to listen to students stories.
Students need to feel safe in their classroom. To create a safe classroom, bullying must not be tolerated in any shape or form. If bullying is an issue teachers can address it by using role-playing or stories to build empathy. Another way to create a safe space is by validating student’s opinions and questions. Telling students there are no stupid questions or answers gives student the opportunity to speak freely.
Learning should be student-centered, addressing students needs, interests, and learning styles. This type of learning environment empowers students to take responsibility for their learning. Having students set classroom rules, learning goals, and giving them choices in their learning are ways to create a student-centered learning context. This kind of environment promotes students curiosity to learn and contributes to the goal for students to become life-long learners.
Learning is interdisciplinary and teaching practices should correspond with this principle. Subjects intersect and overlap in many ways. Teachers can bring science into language arts, math into physical education, and art into social studies. Essentially everything can be connected in some way. Connecting subjects makes learning more meaningful because it provides opportunities for students to apply their knowledge.
Every classroom should be inclusive. Students need to feel valued for their differences and they also must learn to value the differences of others. When students feel valued they will be more engaged learners. Teachers can create an inclusive environment by celebrating differences and individuality in their classroom. The curriculum must reflect differences such as various cultures, abilities, learning needs, and family forms.
Teachers have a professional responsibility to reflect on teaching practices and assumptions, connect with other educators, and to attend professional development workshops and seminars. As Carol Ann Tomlinson said “ "You're growing, but you're not finished growing. There is no finish line in learning."
Technology can be a highly engaging and interactive learning tool. Technology should be incorporated into the classroom to help benefit learning, however, as Marnie Mcmillan put it "its not about the technology, its about the learning!"
Students need to feel safe in their classroom. To create a safe classroom, bullying must not be tolerated in any shape or form. If bullying is an issue teachers can address it by using role-playing or stories to build empathy. Another way to create a safe space is by validating student’s opinions and questions. Telling students there are no stupid questions or answers gives student the opportunity to speak freely.
Learning should be student-centered, addressing students needs, interests, and learning styles. This type of learning environment empowers students to take responsibility for their learning. Having students set classroom rules, learning goals, and giving them choices in their learning are ways to create a student-centered learning context. This kind of environment promotes students curiosity to learn and contributes to the goal for students to become life-long learners.
Learning is interdisciplinary and teaching practices should correspond with this principle. Subjects intersect and overlap in many ways. Teachers can bring science into language arts, math into physical education, and art into social studies. Essentially everything can be connected in some way. Connecting subjects makes learning more meaningful because it provides opportunities for students to apply their knowledge.
Every classroom should be inclusive. Students need to feel valued for their differences and they also must learn to value the differences of others. When students feel valued they will be more engaged learners. Teachers can create an inclusive environment by celebrating differences and individuality in their classroom. The curriculum must reflect differences such as various cultures, abilities, learning needs, and family forms.
Technology can be a highly engaging and interactive learning tool. Technology should be incorporated into the classroom to help benefit learning, however, as Marnie Mcmillan put it "its not about the technology, its about the learning!"
More to come... because I am always growing, changing, and learning!
