Welcome to my PLP! - Alyssa

Course Reflections

Here you will be able to see a timeline of my courses taken at Mount Royal University.

Why Reflect...?

Just like how we encourage our students to reflect on their learning, it is essential I do the same. This allows for me to present my learning to whomever it concerns. The picture I have chosen is meant to represent how reflection must occur in order to move forward. One can not grow or move forward if there is no time to stop and reflect. In this image, an individual reflects while looking off to the distance for the next adventure or task, much like I always am!

Education

EDUC 1231- Professional Dimensions I

(3 credits) 3 hours lecture, one-half day per week field experience

This course examines teaching and learning processes with reference to psychological, sociological and philosophical influences in contemporary society, addressing the concept of personal worldview and its impact on classroom environments. The course introduces students to professional responsibilities and prompts students to develop ethical and professional attitudes, behavior, language and conduct. The field experience will have an individual learner focus. In-school seminars may comprise part of the lecture hours.
Key Take Away: In this class, I learned how to make my mark in the classroom and many of the basic strategies and techniques. I learned how to be a passionate teacher, create a successful learning environment, and the importance of facilitating learning. This semester I had the opportunity to teach and observe a grade six classroom. I taught my first lesson and made connections with the students. I learned about how important the student and teacher relationship.

(3 credits) 3 hours lecture, one-half day per week field experience

This course provides a foundation for curriculum and pedagogy in the areas of planning, facilitating and assessing learning. Further, it examines issues of power and justice and the ways that the economy, matters of race, culture, class, and gender ideologies, political discourses and other social institutions interact to construct the social systems that make up educational institutions. The field experience will focus on small groups and teacher candidates are expected to teach a lesson. In-school seminars may comprise part of the lecture hours.
Key Take Away- This semester I learned so much about teaching! I capitalized on learning about differentiation and how there is no such thing as an "average" student. I also learned from my field experience all about Classroom management because, with the right tools, lesson planning and teaching can go smoothly (even with 55 kids in a classroom!)

EDUC 1233- Professional Dimensions II

EDUC 2375- Effective Assessment

(3 Credits) 3 hour lecture

This course is designed to assist students in developing an understanding of concepts and issues related to the differentiated assessment of learning. Participants will be required to develop competence in the construction of various instruments and processes used to measure and evaluate individual learner performance. The field experience will include teaching and assessing learning experiences.

Key Take Away- In this course, I learn about different forms/methods of assessing students. This also includes said pros and cons of each. I had the opportunity to create several worksheets and rubrics to show my understanding., I learned to make reliable and valid assessments and the importance of feedback through weekly online video workshops and discussions. I planned an entire unit using backwards design and terms such as holistic rubrics, Likert assessments, and working portfolio assessments. I will use this information to inform my future practice.

(3 credits) 3 hour lecture

This course focuses upon language development and the importance of literacy. Students will examine certain principles of learning in order to gain understanding as to how language development occurs as well as to determine best practice in teaching language and literacy. Students are required to participate in relevant field experience. The field experience will be literacy focused, including small group instruction and assessment.
Key Take Away- This class taught me specifically about how to teach and assess literature in classrooms. I learned how to use F & P, both whole and small class instruction, comprehension styles, and the uses of phonics. I had the chance to create a catalogue of children's literature and teach a reading lesson to my peers. This allowed me to gain valuable feedback from other student teachers.

EDUC 2371- Lang Dev and Literacy

EDUC 2321- Education & Individual Development

(3 Credits) 3 hour lecture

This course examines human behaviour, focusing on physical, emotional, cognitive, moral and social development. Emphasis is placed on understanding classroom implications of motivation, memory, learning styles, student diversity, principles of reinforcement, and aspects of learning.
Key Take Away- This class helped me expand on my Psychology class from last semester. We discussed ideas and concepts that played into students' motivations, behaviours, and memorization. Ideas such as diversity, differentiation, stages of development (moral, social, cognitive) were topics of discussion in class. These ideas will allow me to better cater to my students and help them learn. I set a goal for myself to help learn memorization strategies for all kinds of learners. If a student can not remember the information, they have not learned it.

(3 Credits) 3 hour lecture

This course explores the knowledge and skills required to implement programs of studies in teaching English Language Arts in elementary schools. The course will address relevant instructional methodologies, unit planning, curriculum integration and resource development. Students will investigate a range of assessment strategies.
Key Take Away- This course taught me how to plan, create, and teach fun and engaging ELA lessons for my future students. We learned about how to teach students spelling, phonetics, word studies. As students, we created a resource bank of helpful teaching resources for the future and worked in groups to develop unit plans based on novels we had read. My group created ours off the book Hatchet. We even had the chance to create mini-lessons based on the ELA program of studies. I formulated a descriptive writing task for grade three; it can be found HERE. I received lots of quality feedback that will help me teach in my practicum.

EDUC 2103- Teaching ELA

EDUC 3104- Arts Integration in Elementary Education

(3 Credits) 6 Hours of Lecture Per Week

In this course, students will learn how to integrate the fine and performing arts into the elementary classroom. Students will examine current theories and practices in arts education, and will develop creative skills associated with each of the fine and performing arts. Drawing upon this knowledge, and within the context of the STEAM semester, students will design and apply integrated learning experiences that enrich student learning.
Key Take Away- This course taught me the importance of instilling a lifelong love of creating art. The love can be stem from teachers not assessing students' products but instead their unique creative process! Students need to work with a growth mindset in order to improve and set goals. Teachers also need to meet students where they are at, rather than making assumptions about students' abilities. I had the fantastic opportunity to teach a mini-lesson on drawing and Waste in Our World by repurposing found objects into doodles! We participated in music and art workshops with guests, which allowed me to be exposed to new and engaging ideas for teaching the arts. Remember, students control effort, not ability. Teachers who praise ability rather than effort can encourage a fixed mindset in their students. We want students to self-assess and grow from their mistakes.

(3 Credits) 6 Hours of Lecture Per Week

This course provides an introduction to the teaching and learning of Science in elementary schools. The course will focus on instruction, planning and facilitating learning experiences, integrating curriculum, creating and utilizing resources and developing assessment strategies to meet students’ needs.
Key Take Away- I have always enjoyed science, so it was no surprise that this was one of my favourite courses to date! We participated in many science experiments on adaptations, building, and PH from actual water samples from Weaselhead Flats. We talked about creating proper rubrics and the grading scale. In small groups, we had to develop 40-minute presentations on topics; I focused on assessment in inquiry projects. Students should be given opportunities to grow and learn. This can be done using Portfolio Assessment, Project-Based Science, and Performance Assessment. For example, Portfolio Assessment allows teachers and students to collaborate on creating goals, assessing work, and displaying work. This encourages students to both reflect and excel in order to place new pieces in their folders.

EDUC 3106 - Program of Studies and Curriculum Instruction in Teaching Science

EDUC 3108 - Program of Studies and Curriculum Instruction in Teaching Mathematics

(3 Credits) 6 Hours of Lecture Per Week

This course explores knowledge and skills required to implement programs of studies in teaching Mathematics in Elementary schools. The course will address a range of approaches to develop instruction, plan units of study, integrate curriculum, develop resources and assessment strategies to meet students’ needs.
Key Take Away- This semester I had the opportunity to create a long-range, medium-range, and individual lesson plan for Grade One Mathematics. In this class, I spoke and learned about self-assessment and open-ended questions in order to promote student participation in math and reduce math anxiety. A lesson I had developed was on patterns, which included a read-aloud and class activity on the book Pattern Fish by Trudy Harris. I was lucky enough to teach my lesson to my first-grade class in Practicum I. I participated in math games for multiplication, factoring, and adding, which allowed me to walk away with many new resources and ideas. Students must work through open-ended problems rather than questions with one solution, problem, or answer. A student who knows how to recite a formula is not always a student who has truly learned the concepts behind the outcome.

(3 Credits) 6 Hours of Lecture Per Week

This course provides an overview of technological influences in education. It is designed to assist prospective teachers in critically examining current and evolving applications of technology relevant to the teaching and learning process.
Key Take Away- This semester I had the fantastic opportunity to engage in unfamiliar technological endeavours. The first of which was a weekly blog post, which can be found HERE, that allowed me to reflect on our learning, self-assess, and even explore new forms of technology. This class encouraged student teachers to use programs such as screen castify, or Google Meet to record presentations. We also had a workshop and used Scratch to explore coding. In connection to the Weaselhead Flats trip mentioned in EDUC 3108, I created a virtual field trip on Google Slides! By far, one of my technological advancements was the creation of our Twitter accounts! My Twitter is linked HERE; please feel free to follow me! During this assignment, we got to create avatars. If you look to the left of this text box, you will meet Mini Alyssa, my avatar, which I find myself using in lessons and assignments often! Finally, in partnerships, we got to teach mini-lessons on new forms of technology. I used the app Autodesk Sketchbook to create art using the reflection tool. This project would integrate into math, art, and technology!

EDUC 3326 - Understanding Current and Emerging Pedagogical Technologies

EDUC 3105- Teaching Physical Education

(3 Credits) 3 Hours of Lecture Per Week

This course examines the fundamental knowledge, understanding, values, attitudes, skills and processes required to implement an effective program of studies for teaching Physical Education in elementary schools. The course will address relevant instructional methodologies, unit planning, curriculum integration and resource development. Students will investigate a range of assessment strategies.
Key Take Away- This semester encouraged us to create various lessons for different grade levels. We were encouraged to work through different units such as dance, gymnastics, and parkour. Our professor also encouraged our lessons to be inclusive and interdisciplinary. For example, my group created a spelling relay race. That lesson promoted movement, spelling, and teamwork. It is a skill I hope to implement in Practicum II. We also spoke about land-based learning and the importance of being outside.

(3 Credits) 3 Hours of Lecture Per Week

This course explores the knowledge and skills required to implement programs of studies in teaching Social Studies in Elementary (1 - 6) Education. The course will address a range of approaches to develop instruction, plan units of study, integrate curriculum, develop resources and assessment strategies to meet students’ needs.
Key Take Away- This class allowed us to dig deep into a possible inquiry project or unit that we could use with our Practicum II classes. As I am in Grade Four, I planned an entire project based on the geography of Alberta and the historical processes which created them. Here is a link to my hard work if you would like to check it out!
https://miro.com/app/board/uXjVPBLMk4A=/?share_link_id=35572180418
This class allowed me to explore different ways of presenting the curriculum. Instead of reading a textbook or making slides, the best way to help students learn is by encouraging hands-on learning and tasks that are meaningful.

EDUC 4107- Teaching Social Studies

EDUC 4351- Including Indigenous Perspectives

(3 Credits) 3 Hours of Lecture Per Week

This course is designed to prepare prospective teachers to engage with Indigenous perspectives, as well as ways of knowing and being. The course relates to the teaching and learning contexts. The course will include an in-depth examination of decolonization, indigenization, and reconciliation.
Key Take Away- This semester I had the opportunity to interact on the land in a heartfelt and meaningful way. Weekly I would go out a journal what I saw, smelt, heard, and felt. I would also take photos and reflect on how the land was changing with the seasons. Our professorers brought in many guests to speak with us. We had the chance to watch a smudge ceramony, set up a tipi, and the most rewarding was when we harvested and created our own rosehip tea!

(3 Credits) 6 Hours of Lecture Per Week

Building a healthy school community using the comprehensive school health approach can positively impact both students and staff. In this course, pre-service teachers will gain an understanding of how they can address their personal wellness as new teachers, and learn how to build a healthy school community that addresses the wellness needs of a diverse student body
Key Take Away- This course focused on wellness throughout the entire school community. We focused on how we, as teachers can take care of ourselves, how to support students experiencing trauma, and how to adjust our teaching to be inclusive, kind, and prepared for all types of students. In groups, we had the opportunity to interview a local business or organization that promotes wellness in a school community. My group chose to interview and present on PALS, a non-profit organization which is volunteer ran. PALS brings in dogs, cats, bunnies, and guinea pigs into schools to promote responsibility, regulation, and confidence in students!

EDUC 2201- Teacher Wellness

EDUC 4201- Capstone

(3 Credits) 3 Hours of Lecture Per Week

In this capstone course, participants will critically reflect upon significant issues and experiences gleaned from their education, general education, schooling and elective courses, field experiences and practica. The major focus will be upon the development of a professional teaching e-portfolio and an action research project.

Key Take Away- The focus of my Capstone was on offering Students Choice in their learning. I was interested in this topoc as nearly every school board discusses the importance of having students being the leaders of their learning. I allowed the students to engage in several activities where they decided nearly everything and all I did was provide guidance and instruction. Students learn better when they have a choice in what or how they learn the content.

(3 Credits) 3 Hours of Lecture Per Week

This course examines characteristics of students exhibiting a range of mild, moderate, and severe disabilities and students exhibiting exceptional gifts and talents. Diverse educational, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds will be discussed. The course also examines methods that can be used in adapting classroom instruction and management of the diverse needs.

Key Take Away- This course taught us a lot about inclusive education. We spoke about different assessment strategies and how they would look for students. We also learned about how to cater to all the students in our class. Remember, KIDS DO WELL IF THEY CAN! We also had a symposium where we talked about the science of reading.

EDUC 4361- Inclusive Education

Social Studies Minor

PLSC 1101- Intro to Govt and Politics

(3 credits) 3 hours lecture

This course provides a systematic introduction to the basic concepts and institutions of the process of politics.
Key Take Away: I took this class due to my Social Studies minor and found it extremely interesting. I learned about different electoral and government systems, modern and post-modern ideologies, and the basics of politics. This included examining countries such as the United States, Canada, and Britain. We discussed ideas of political organization and controversies.

(3 credits) 3 hours lecture, 1 hour lab

This course is an introduction to the physical elements of the environment. Topics include: weather, climate, hydrology, landforms, soils, vegetation, and the processes producing variations of these elements on the surface of the earth. Examples of environmental inter-relationships and problems that affect humanity are emphasized.
Key Take Away- In this class, I learned about the physical geography of the earth and how weather, rocks, and natural disasters are formed. I explored tectonic plates, cloud formations, landslides, volcanoes, and how to calculate position based on LAT/LONG coordinates. This class will help me teach students about the earth and how/why many of its processes occur.

GEOG 1101- The Physical Environment

INST 1101- Intro to Indigenous Studies

(3 credits) 3 hours lecture

This course provides an introduction to the interdisciplinary field of Indigenous Studies Specifically, the course surveys the diverse histories and traditional and contemporary cultures of the various groups in what is now Canada Taught from an Aboriginal perspective, the course explores a wide range of topics, with an emphasis on colonization and decolonization
Key Take Away- This class helped me realize the true history and horrors of the settler past. This course asked me to connect myself to the land and enlightened me on how much still needs to be done to make genuine peace with the indigenous. This class will help me to teach students about indigenous perspectives and Canada's history. I had the opportunity to connect the coursework to my experiences.

(3 credits) 3 hours lecture

This course introduces students to the discipline of Sociology. Sociology is the study of social life in all its forms. A variety of topics within the discipline will be explored throughout this course, such as social theory, social research methods, culture, with a strong focus on gender, sexuality, class, and racial inequality.
Key Take Away- This class taught me all about social norms and cultural norms. It also asked me to evaluate why people do/think what they do. This class was very informative and covered various topics, including gender, medicine, feminism, inequality, and class. There was a section on education and its social norms (go to school, get good grades, go to post-secondary, get a good job) and other societal demands.

SLGY 1101- Introduction to Sociology

HIST 1133- Modern Canada, 1867 to Present

(3 Credits) 4 hour lecture

This course introduces students to key issues and events in modern Canadian history. Themes include social and cultural change, as well as economic and political developments. Specific topics covered may include Canada’s military participation, the Cold War, immigration and regionalism.
Key Take Away- I learned about Canada's humble beginnings as a country and the struggles of a forming nation in this class. I wrote weekly blogs on influential figures in Canada's history such as John A. Macdonald, Louis Riel, Sir Clifford Sifton etc. I learned how Canada struggled through the Cold War and WW1. I made fake newspapers and advertisements to understand the differences between the past and present. I also got to take a deeper look at the pandemic by creating my own historic fond with ten pictures encapsulating my pandemic experience over the months.

(3 Credits) 3 hour lecture

This course explores the social, political, and cultural history of Europe from the Renaissance to the eve of the French Revolution. Social and cultural changes are considered within the contexts of religious innovation and conflict, the development of capitalism, the rise of the modern state, and the impacts of global exploration and colonialism.
Key Take Away- This was an interesting class to take and brought me a lot of nostalgia. When I initially decided what I wanted to take as a minor, I thought back to what I had enjoyed in High School. My fondest memories included my social studies teacher giving us unique projects to complete on the French Revolution. He inspired me, and hence I chose social studies minor and of this course. I learned how different countries interacted with war, trade, religion, and many other factors and how households were structured with their roles and duties. My favourite project was an essay on the witchcraft trials and how they were unfairly biased toward women.

HIST 2229- Europe Renaissance/ Revolution

SLGY 2255- Environmental Sociology

(3 Credits) 3 hour lecture

In this introduction to the sociological study of environmental issues, students will learn about the relationship between human society and the environment from a critical, anti-racist, eco-feminist perspective, with a focus on environmental justice and environmental movements. Students will also consider the relationship and tensions between capitalism and the environment.
Key Take Away- In this course, I got to explore the way that environment plays into sociology. How we view the environment, how we interact with the environment, and how we help the environment. I learned about the effects of outsourcing, climate change, and even technology. I spent most of the semester researching the organization 4Ocean and holding them accountable to society and nature. I advocated for the oceans, and their demise is quickly coming due to humanity's actions of pollution. This pollution is lowering the pH of the sea and killing coral while animals are ingesting plastic.

(3 Credits) 3 hour lecture

This course examines the causes, course and consequences of the Holocaust - the mass murder of European Jewry (and others) by the Nazi State during World War II. The roles of victims, perpetrators, bystanders, rescuers, and survivors will be explored, as well as post-war “collective memory” and Holocaust “representation”.
Key Take Away- This class was my only 3000-level history course, which I chose to be more informed about a tragic event of history. I took this course as I knew I may have to teach students some of this information someday. I wanted to learn from a historian so I would know my information would be valid, researched, and current.

HIST 3361- The Holocaust

PLSC 2298- Politics and the Media

(3 Credits) 3 hour lecture

This course will consider how politics is portrayed in the coverage given it by the mass media, with special emphasis on the cognitive psychology involved in framing issues and the coverage of political events by television and the new media of the Internet. Canadian and American experience will be stressed.
Key Take Away- In this course, I got to take a deep look into politicians and their tactics to encourage people to vote for them. I learned about how they curate their speeches and naritives to fit their political view. I also worked on identifying bias in news sources. This is a skill i could pass onto my students if they are learning expository writing.

General Education

GNED 1401- Writing for Academic Success

(3 credits) 4 hours lecture

This course develops students' skills in the types of writing, reading, and thinking required in university today. Students will review basics, analyze contemporary examples, develop research and referencing skills, and design their writing for specific audiences. Writing for Academic Success provides an opportunity to develop new talents and gain confidence in expressing ideas.
Key Take Away: In this class, I learned about proper writing and grammar styles, including referencing, thesis making, and general writing errors. This will inform all of my future courses and will aid me in creating quality work. I learned about MLA, APA, and Chicago formatting and how referencing is vital to a successful student. This class focused mainly on essay writing which will aid in my Social Studies minor.

(3 credits) 3 hours lecture

This course examines human aesthetic responses and our capacities to interpret diverse forms of cultural expression Students will study some of the following: literary and/or religious texts, paintings, sculpture, architecture, music, film, dance, opera, the decorative arts, as well as other forms of aesthetic expression.
Key Take Away: In this class, I learned how to analyze different art forms, including music and art. I now know some of the classics (Bach, Beethoven, Vividali, Etc). We worked on memorizing different eras of music and well as the elements that classified them. In a group project, we experienced how music played into the four waves of feminism.

GNED 1201- Aesthetic Experience and Ideas

GNED 1301- Citizenship Without Boarders

(3 credits) 3 hours lecture

Students will gain a broad overview and understanding of issues related to global interaction and global interconnectedness. The complex concept of ‘globalization’ will be analyzed through interdisciplinary perspectives and students will be encouraged, through debating key issues, to be active global citizens. Instructors may approach the course through the use of specific thematic structures.
Key Take Away: I learned all about Ethical Theory, Cultural Relativism, Globalization, Gender, Citizenship, and many other forms of Global Interconnections in this class. I also had the opportunity to debate with peers on topics including Colonialism and War. Taking on devil's advocate positions to force myself to see others' opinions. This was enlightening to my view on the world, our history, and what will come in the future.

(3 credits) 3 hours lecture

Students will investigate one particular scientific or technological innovation from multiple disciplinary perspectives. Students will explore this innovation to understand the mathematics and science that underlie it, or have been influenced by it, and will discuss the role of numeracy and technology in shaping our future. Topics will vary by section.
Key Take Away- This class was taken as a GNED requirement, but it was by far one of my favourite classes! It taught me how to convert audio, visual, and textual messages into binary code ( 1s and 0s). It also taught me about switches and gates, calculating redundancy, and using Huffman trees. I learned about the rich history of binary code and how it aids in making sounds, visuals, and texts such as Unicode.

GNED 1103- Innovation

ENGL 2141- Literature for Young Children

(3 credits) 3 hour lecture

This course offers a critical study of literature for young children (ages two-eight). By providing a survey of the various genres of children’s literature, this course introduces students to the range of work available for preschool and primary school children. Students will also be given opportunities to develop their skills for oral presentation and written composition.
Key Take Away- This class paired well with EDUC 2371, and I shared my knowledge between the two classes. I discussed various nursery rhymes, fairy tales, picture books, and Indigenous literature in this class. I wrote one essay comparing modern renditions of The Three Little Pigs to the original and a different one on how bedtime stories help with memory and word recall in students.

(3 Credits) 3 hour lecture

In this workshop-based course, students will acquire the skills, understanding and practice they need to write, edit, and discuss their own original fiction. The course will result in the completion of an original portfolio which can be used to apply for entry to upper-level courses.
Key Take Away- At first, I was super nervous about taking this class due to the mandatory participation and reading of completed stories to the class. However, after writing, reading to peers, and editing two pieces of original fiction, I learned to enjoy it. I had a lot of fun coming up with creative ideas, and this class taught me to become more confident when speaking in front of crowds. My favourite project was one where we had to write an essay where we compared and contrasted our creative process with a famous figure. I took a risk and wrote mine on a Youtuber which turned out to be super successful.

CRWT 1118- Intro to Writing Fiction

PSYC 1105- Introduction to Psychology

(3 Credits) 3 hour lecture

This course introduces the history, methods, and current state of knowledge in modern psychological research. A wide range of content areas will be surveyed, including biological psychology, learning, memory, perception, personality, psychological disorders, therapy, stress, social psychology, psychological development in children, and the ethics of research. Additional topics may be included at the discretion of the instructor.
Key Take Away- This class was super fun and exciting! I learned about psychological development in children, and the stages children should be reaching at certain stages. I also learned about stress and memory, which allowed me to apply my findings to the pressure of my second year. I enjoyed the unit when the class discussed how memories are encoded into the brain and the differences between short-term memory, working memory, and long-term memories.

Electives

GEOL 2155- Geological History of Life

(3 Credits) 3 hour lecture

The history of life from the earliest records to the present Fossils, geological time, extinction, evolution. The rise and development of various animals and plants including trilobites, ammonites, dinosaurs, and horses.

Key Take Away- This class was super fun and exciting! I enjoyed taking something I was passionate about and learning it throughout the semester! My favourite piece of work is the illustrated and written children's book I made for a project. The focus was to create a future tool that I could use to help my students understand Albertas rich fossil history. This was one of the most engaging classes for me as I got to explore assignments and content I found interesting. I even had the chance to 3D scan and print the jaw of a primitive artiodactyla, called the Oreodont. It is believed to be a early pig realitive.

(3 Credits) 3 hour lecture

This course provides an introduction to current theories of communication. An understanding of effective communication and its potential is promoted through participation in a variety of speaking situations. Opportunity is given for group discussion; audience analysis; development of good listening habits and how to research, organize and prepare various types of speeches.
Key Take Away- I took this class to prepare myself for interviews, as this was one of the final courses I took on campus. I quickly became one of the most confident students in the class. I prepared an informative speech on herbivorous dinosaurs as well as a persuasive speech on why teachers have the hardest job in the world. I was later informed my speech was the most persuaive in the class! I practiced several other types of public speeches and left feeling confident in my ability to tackle interviews!

SPCH 2001- Intro to Public Speaking

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