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Student science experiment on the effects of soft drinks on teeth. (Eggshells representing teeth.)
I have experience teaching fully online, fully in-person, and hybrid teaching. Whether my classroom is virtual or a physical classroom setting it is important that I use all of these approaches to teaching to inspire students to learn.
Inquiry-Based and Conceptual
Inquiry-Based and Conceptual
Students are meant to ask questions and use their research and thinking skills to find answers to those questions. As they research, they are building conceptual understandings and making connections to their prior knowledge.
In my classroom, inquiry-based learning has been used in Science, Math, and Writing subject areas. Students can build their own knowledge from experiences and individual research, or working together and experimenting based on the results they see. My job is to observe, guide, facilitate learning, and challenge students to find answers to their questions.
I am still developing this approach to teaching- how to plan and implement an entire unit of inquiry which focuses on teaching concepts across subject areas.
Culturally Responsive and Collaborative
Culturally Responsive and Collaborative
To be culturally responsive is to understand the environmental and cultural contexts from which students live and come from. I do this by celebrating student diversity and uniqueness. When teaching, I use culturally appropriate and relevant examples that can connect learning to student's backgrounds.
In my classroom there are usually several different cultures interacting. It is my goal to facilitate a classroom community agreement in order to build our own safe, encouraging, and positive classroom environment that welcomes differences.
When students together collaborate they are building social and emotional skills as well as communication skills. I also collaborate with students to build flexible grouping, which is grouping based on students needs and skills to practice. Groups are always changing and students are learning to work together with all members of their classroom.
There are many ways students collaborate in my classroom: Turn and Talk, Think-Pair-Share, book clubs, groups research projects, gaming, debates, and more.
Collaboration is an important skill for students to learn. Within the classroom I build relationships with students and their families, collaborating to understand each child's culture and the best way to reach their learning goals.
Group research project on Indigenous Peoples. Each student had a part to research and a job in their group. Student chose the medium in which they wanted to present.
Each year we discuss and create a classroom agreement that every student creates their own copy, signs, and parents sign as well.
Jamboard is a collaborative platform where students can create together and play Math games together.
Nearpod and Kahoot are great ways for whole-class collaboration in a virtual setting. These little quiz game apps can be used for any subject.
Informed by Assessment and Differentiation
Informed by Assessment and Differentiation
Assessment happens at all times in the classroom- mostly through teacher observation and student reflection; then through formative assessments, and summative assessments. It is an important skill for students to take time and reflect on their own learning. I use checklists for skills in each unit of study to monitor students' progress using walk-throughs in class time. Formative assessments are used to check each student's understanding of a skill. Summative assessments are given at the end of learning and are graded by a rubric shared with the students. (A student-friendly copy of the rubric is shared with students.)
I am still developing and working to include student-created assessments. Currently I have given students a project choice board for Science and Social Studies, but I would like to expand this choice and discussion of graded parts to all subject areas. This can also help differentiate for student learning styles and expression of each student's knowledge.
There are many ways I differentiate learning in my classroom. Students are learning independently, in small groups, in partners, and in the whole group. At the beginning of the school year, I poll students to see why way they prefer to learn. I use game stations, leveled book clubs, challenge cards for early finishers, and flexible grouping which allows for students to have a focused, small group lesson on reteaching a skill. Differentiation can help students choose the best way to practice learned skills, with guidance from the teacher.
Social and Emotional Learning
Social and Emotional Learning
Social and emotional learning happens all the time as students collaborate, play, and reflect, and wellbeing is essential for students to feel comfortable enough to learn. Everyday in my classroom, we take time to have a morning meeting together to greet each other, share our thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and to have fun together before we start our day of learning. Throughout the day, I encourage students to share their feelings and to get to know themselves with fun activities and quizzes.
Something new I want to incorporate into my daily routine are mindfulness activities. Mindfulness practice is an important part of reflection and helps a child understand that they are in charge of their thoughts and feelings.
Examples of Planning
Examples of Planning
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