Reflection: Throughout this course, I had the opportunity to be guided through learning along with Indigenous Perspectives. As an Indigenous woman, I felt this course should be mandatory for each teacher candidate as learning with and from Indigenous Perspectives. I believe this course has supported me in developing my teaching philosophy and practice.
Reflection: Throughout this course, I was provided with plenty of opportunities to begin exploring the 'why' and 'how' of the social studies curriculum. This course was a challenging and incredible experience. It was such a great experience for me to learn about the strands of social studies and how such concepts integrate into my teaching philosophy as well as my teaching practice.
Reflection: Throughout this course, I had the opportunity to integrate my minor specialty into my teaching philosophy. I felt challenged to use the knowledge gained thus far in my minor degree. It was a great experience to learn how to really integrate physical education into a typical classroom, an outdoor setting, or other spaces.
Reflection: Throughout the STEAM semester, I have begun to understand how technology can fit into my life and practice as a teacher. Specifically, I have learned how to use technology to my advance in planning for learning, facilitating learning, and professional responsibilities. In terms of planning for learning, I have already begun to use technology in my lesson planning from the learning that has taken place so far. In terms of facilitating learning, I have realized how technology can act as a great tool for students to use to communicate their learning or even develop their learning further. In terms of professional responsibilities, I have learned how to document my professional development using a blog and a twitter page.
Reflection: Throughout the STEAM semester, I have begun to realize the importance that mathematics in a classroom environment. I feel very comfortable using the Alberta Mathematics K-9 Program of Studies to lesson plan on a year, unit, or lesson basis. As well, I have begun to see how planning for learning and facilitating learning can affect and support the needs of students' within an elementary mathematics classroom.
Reflection: Throughout the STEAM semester, I have begun to realize how important science in elementary classrooms really is. Specifically, I now understand inquiry-based learning and how I can plan to integrate inquiry into my future classroom. My key takeaway from this course is related to the planning for inquiry 6E model that supports teachers in planning lessons that use the following stages as guidance: (1) Engagement, (2) exploration, (3) explanation, (4) elaboration, (5) evaluation, and (6) e-learning. Each of these stages help teachers plan to integrate inquiry-based learning that will then support their students' in developing in-depth understanding of science concepts from the Alberta Science PoS for students K-9. I cannot wait to use the 6E model when planning for inquiry within my future classroom not only with the science PoS but with every lesson!
Reflection: Throughout the STEAM semester, I have already begun to see how critical arts integration into elementary classrooms truly is. One of the biggest takeaways from the course learnings is how arts can support students who are considered complex needs. Students who are considered complex needs often view the arts as an escape from curriculum and regular classroom learning. It is important to provide those students with opportunities to take breaks from classroom instruction to enjoy the arts, but perhaps, it is even more important to integrate the arts into regular classroom activities to support those students in engaging in classroom instruction. In other words, this course has allowed be to reflect on building a classroom environment using arts integration into other subject areas.
Reflection: After the course, I feel as though I have really learned to understand many of the professional responsibilities that take place in a teacher's classroom and personal life. Specifically, I have begun to understand the depths of such professional responsibilities that may feed into a student's school activity and life. For example, I have learnt about the physical, emotional, cognitive, moral and social development of both the teacher of a classroom and the students. One piece of knowledge from this course that I am going to take with me for the rest of my career is when and how to approach cases of abuse and neglect that could possibly take place within my future classrooms. The reason that this aspect is going to stick with me is that, as a teacher, I want to support each of my students! And so, if that support includes providing a safe space for a student, or making a difficult call to social workers, I need to be aware of how to proceed.
Reflection: After completing the course, I feel as though I have learned to understand not only how a teacher may effectively assess their students but also the importance in doing so. One thing that I have specifically focused on collecting assessment resources that are effective and going to deepen my understanding of assessment. One of my biggest takeaways from this course is that students deserve second chances in assessment! The reason behind this is because, as Rick Wormeli states in The Case for Second Chances, the reason we teach is for students to learn. And so, if it takes a student a second-try to learn content, then teachers need to be able to provide such supports!
Reflection: After completing the course, I have learned to build the skills and knowledge that are required in order for a teacher to implement the program of studies in teaching English Language Arts. One key takeaway that I have learnt thus far in the course in how to construct a unit plan based on a novel study. The link to the unit plan is on the Planning for Learning page! For the future, I want to create a goal for myself to continue developing my profession in relation to teaching ELA! As well, I want to continue to build my future classroom library.
Reflection: I feel as though this course has taught me so much. I have found the content very interesting and helpful to my future career path. Understanding language development in learners is something that used to scare me when I would imagine my own classroom. However, through the exercises, practices, projects, and the field experience, I feel as though I have developed an appreciation for literacy and the role it plays in a classroom and in student language development. My biggest takeaway from this course has been our understandings and discussions of inclusivity within a classroom environment. As an Indigenous woman, I believe integrating different voices into a classroom is the key to having an inclusive environment. This course has given me the tools necessary to bring this inclusivity into my own classroom someday.
Reflection: This course was unlike any other course I had taken throughout my time in university. Many of the classes that I have taken in university did not have the aspects that Learning with the Land did. For example, in this course, I was given the opportunity to build and tend to my relationship in the land through sit spots and other Indigenous Ways of Being, Knowing, and Doing.
Reflection: I have come to realize, teaching can be a challenging profession. Throughout this course, I learned about the importance of "filling your own bucket" and taking care of yourself. This knowledge I will take forward with me throughout my teaching career to support my work and life balance and avoid teacher burnout.
Reflection: As the end of the first university year came to an end, I had realized all the valuable knowledge that Professional Dimensions 2 brought to me and my practice. I learnt a lot about the professional responsibilities and tasks that are required of an elementary teacher. I feel as though this class developed my understanding of the different roles that a teacher plays in the classroom. Specifically, I felt comfortable taking a larger role in participating and facilitating learning within my field experience. Between the beginning of EDUC 1231 and the end of EDUC 1233, I found that I have developed plenty of professional dimensions related to my practice. I am excited to infuse this knowledge in later field experiences and practicums.
Reflection: This course offered me many great opportunities in the lecture and in the field experience. This course also began my discovery in the importance of my practice. I was able to see first hand what is most important to me and how those aspects will affect my future classroom. Specifically, I learnt a lot about the professional responsibilities related to professional attitudes, behaviour, language and conduct of an elementary school teacher.
In the field experience, I was given the opportunity to observe and participate in a classroom as a teacher candidate. In doing so, I presented two lessons to the class (one in partnership with my mentor teacher and the other completely on my own). Also, I received helpful feedback from my mentor teacher to grow my understanding and practice!
Reflection: This course allowed me to expand my knowledge of motor development and growth of children. This is going to be useful in a classroom as I will understand how to support students' growth and nurture their motor development regardless of if I am in a physical education setting!
Reflection: This course allowed me to gain knowledge about coaching and supporting young athletes that will be applicable in my future practice. Growing up, I always loved sports and I do feel inclined to coach someday. Thanks to this course and the learnings from it, I have found ways to support young athletes to be active for life and instill a love for sports! Since taking this course, I have been developing this knowledge through my work in aquatics as I have been teaching and coaching swim lessons for ages 0-15.
Reflection: After completing this course, I have come to appreciate the ways in which we can integrate daily movement into our classrooms and even teach through movement. As a future educator, I believe there is value in using movement in a classroom to support students learning as well as support their regulation!
Reflection: After completing this course, I have come to realize the importance of different ways to teach students how to play games as well as the importance of physical activity in one's life. Moving forward, I am excited to incorporate these learnings into my practice. To learn more about this experience, please follow the button below to my lesson plan for a physical activity class.
Reflection: After completing this course, I have a new understanding of nutrition and health. As a teacher, I believe this knowledge will support me in understanding how best to support my students within a classroom; for example, are my students eating well or sleeping well, and how that may be affecting their learning?
Reflection: I have learnt to be critical of my personal health and how to create better wellness and health for myself and the community. This course's essential understandings should be taught in schools and physical education classes. With an emphasis on mindfulness, I believe this knowledge could greatly benefit all students including my own future classroom. I am excited to, one day, incorporate and emphasize wellness and mindfulness in my own classroom.