Description: 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.
Reflection: Teaching physical education was one of my biggest worries prior to this course, even during practicum I avoided, however, after taking this course, a lot of my worries have dissipated. From learning about risk play to creating rubrics, this course has helped a lot!
Description: 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.
Reflection: Knowing that most new teachers quit during their first 5 years really terrified me as a teacher candidate. Through this course, I was able to learn way to not only better my own wellness while teaching but making sure my students are also learning to the best of their abilities!
Description: This course provides an examination of selected topics designed to explore critical or emerging approaches in Education. As a variable content course, the specific topic will be announced and advertised each semester it is offered. Students may not receive credit for the same special topic more than once.
Reflection: Learning about how to make my teaching anti-oppressive was something I did not think about prior to taking this course. In my eyes, I was already as anti-oppressive as I could be, however, after taking this course, my eyes were opened to a whole bunch of things I need to improve in myself to make my education truly anti-oppressive.
Description: 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.
Reflection: As a teacher and as a student, I have always lacked confidence in my art skills. Thanks to this course, I was able to overcome my anxiety about art and integration with other subjects. Through comprehension of the curriculum and exploration of art sources, I was able to broaden my perspective on the opportunities presented by the use of art.
Description: 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.
Reflection: As a teacher and as a student, I have always lacked confidence in my art skills. Thanks to this course, I was able to overcome my anxiety about art and integration with other subjects. Through comprehension of the curriculum and exploration of art sources, I was able to broaden my perspective on the opportunities presented by the use of art.
Description: 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.
Reflection: Because I have a minor in Science, I was quite excited to complete this class. I learned a lot about how to teach the curriculum in a way that is interesting and meaningful to students. While looking at the curriculum, I learned a lot of different techniques and experiments that can keep students engaged.
Description: 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.
Reflection: My biggest goal for this class was to learn how to teach math in a way that does not scare them away from math. I am now more confident in the methods I can use to teach math in a way that can lower math anxiety. Through the passion I teach with and the different activities planned, I can show students the beauty of math.
Description: 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.
Reflection: As someone who is quite interested in technology, I was ecstatic to take this course. I learned so many cool features and ways to integrate technology within my lessons and into my classroom. From creating blogs to making stop-motion videos with peers, this course has taught me a lot of different ways technology can change learning.
Description: This course is designed to assist students in developing an understanding of concepts and issues related to the differentiated assessment of learning. Participants will develop competence in the construction of various instruments and processes used to measure and evaluate individual learner performance. Students are required to participate in a field experience which will inform assignments and context related to teaching and assessing learning experiences.
Reflection: Prior to this class my knowledge on different kinds of assessment was fairly limited. I'm delighted to have gained knowledge about the various evaluation modalities, especially Indigenous methods. Making a rubric that I can genuinely use as an assessment tool in the future makes me happy as well.
Description: 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. Students are required to participate in relevant field experience.
Reflection: Learning about the way students psychology is very important when it comes to knowing how students learn best. This also plays a big part in managing behaviours. With the knowledge I have gained from this class, I am now able to manage some behavioural issues within my field class as well.
Description: This course explores the knowledge and skills required to implement programs of studies in teaching English Language Arts in elementary schools. Students are required to participate in relevant field experience. The field experience will be used to inform assignments and contexts such as instructional methodologies, unit planning, curriculum integration and resource development. Students will investigate a range of assessment strategies.
Reflection: Continuing learning how to teach students to read has been quite insightful yet fairly challenging. I had a great time planning and teaching my three connected lessons, and I am positive the students had a fun time as well. Tutoring this semester was a bit of a challenge as there were many ups and downs with the student I was tutoring.
Description: 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.
Reflection: This course was eye-opening. The English language is quite complex and I never understood how hard it can be for students. One of the most shocking things I learned was that for non-English speakers, whether it is children or adults, English looks like gibberish. I am not sure why this was surprising if I were to look at any other language other than the ones I know then, it too would be gibberish to me. Overall, I enjoyed this course and learned a lot about teaching and learning literacy.
Description: 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.
Reflection: This course had a lot to offer with the the school tours to Calgary Academy and although we were unable to go, Chief Big Belly. The blanket exercise still impacts me to this day with the short but impactful visualization of history. Another aspects that I found incredibly helpful was the lesson plan guidance. Because it was my first time using the lesson plan template having the guidence was quite useful.
Description: 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, behaviour, language and conduct. The field experience will have an individual learner focus.
Reflection: I learned various classroom management techniques and classroom types that are used to fulfil the needs of the students and create a safe learning environment. As every student has a unique history and experiences in the classroom, I have grown to understand the value of inclusivity and safety.