Goodbye Edu 100

Education is something that has always been very important to me. In this education class it has opened my eyes to so much more. It is more than just getting a grade or a diploma. It is how children grow and develop socially, emotionally, and even spiritually. Helping students reach their full potential should be one of the teachers top goals. Education is like learning how to ride a bike, at first it might be hard to grasp but once you have figured it out it can get you anywhere is life. Education  goes beyond the walls of a classroom.

Some interesting things that I learned this course would be philosophies, theories and inclusion in the classroom. I thought it was so interesting to learn about all of the different philosophies their are out in the world. Before this class I never really even knew that there were so many different kinds/ or really even what they are. Taking the quiz to find out what philosophy would suite me was so cool. I ended up finding out that Humanism is something that I can really relate to. Another thing that I did not really know anything about was all the different theories that are out there. I liked how we got the chance to educate ourselves and discuss what we liked best. The Montessori was one theory that really struck me and I looked into it even more. Lastly, learning about how to create an inclusive classroom was extremely important to me because I want to work with children who have special needs. All three of these aspects of the course will be very helpful when I become a teacher.

I liked getting the opportunity to have a blog because it gave us the chance to get to know our classmates more, especially because this is an online course. The blogs gave us the opportunity to speak our own opinion on issues or things we find interesting to, and often found that they are important to others as well.

Social Justice in the Classroom

How will you make a child feel hopeful, joyful, kind or visionary?

In one of the articles I had to read for my education class talked about social justice in the classroom. This is just one part of creating a class that will stand up for what they believe in. In another article  I found they talk about creating a classroom community where students voices can be heard. This gives the students the opportunity to be able to discuss what they are feeling and give feedback to other students. This is something that is really important and can helps students turn in to great leaders and who fight for equality and social justice. Opening up discussions to real world problems helps student to develop high level thinking skills  and give multiple views so student can see different side all while creating a safe environment for learning.

Here is a cool classroom activity that shows students what privilege is.




Image source https://www.google.com/search?q=social+justice&es_sm=93&biw=942&bih=941&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=2ieBVLbiEsGVyASt_oGYBQ&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=YLvGPlIUmfNsYM%253A%3BZTo1aUJhKUM6cM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fhulshofschmidt.files.wordpress.com%252F2012%252F12%252Fpride-social-justice-progressive.jpg%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fhulshofschmidt.wordpress.com%252F2012%252F12%252F24%252Fchristmas-eve-2012-feeling-grateful%252F%3B616%3B795

Place Based Education

This week in Edu 100 we learned about place based education and the environment! After looking through pins on pinterest I found a school that does place based education in Virginia. I had never heard of this type of education before I read about it this week and I think that it is so fascinating! The school talks about how important it is to go beyond the regular curriculum of math, science, language arts, and social studies. They cover other activities such as artistic, social, athletic, and  more. This is private school that goes above and beyond regular public schools. Students get smaller class sizes and gets a hand on experience with what they are learning. The school is located on 137 acres of land so the students can take their learning to a whole different level. As much of an awesome experience it would be to have gone here, I think that it would such an incredible school to teach at! Being given the opportunity to take the class on a "field trip" right in the backyard would educate the minds of so many students! Would this be a type of school you would want to send your child to? Would you consider teaching here?

 The goal of a Hill School education is to build character, self-confidence, and scholarship through academic and co-curricular excellence, individualized attention, and a strong sense of community.
I think that this gives both the students and the teachers an amazing education opportunity.
 You can click here to learn more about the school I am talking about!

The Montessori Learning Theory

The Montessori method of learning was developed by Dr. Maria Montessori. This type of learning style focuses on multiage groupings that foster peer learning, uninterrupted blocks of work time, and guided choice of work activity. This type of learning encourages the children to be independent by letting them have the choice of what they are interested in within the limits the teachers set. With the range of ages within the groups it helps the students who are older by reinforcing what they have already learned and it also helps the younger child learn by example. When they grow they will be working with people of all ages so this is an important aspect.

When comparing the Montessori method to the Banking Concept  they do not fit together. The Montessori method is all about communication and group work. Doing what the students finds to be interesting and going with it. Whereas the Banking Method focuses on what the teacher has to teach and what the students have to memorize in order to "succeed" in their school. Their is no line of communication, in which case how can a child fully understand what is being taught if they cannot think critically about the subject, for their own opinion, or ask questions? It is said in Freire's article "the Banking Concept" that "he or she is rather the possessor of a consciousness: an empty "mind" passively open to the reception of deposits of reality from the world outside" (Freire 4). I think that this is an excellent example of how to explain that students are not really gaining any knowledge if they are not challenged to think about what is going on. They just do what they are told and that is all.

I think that the Montessori style of teaching helps a child reach their full potential. "Montessori students learn to think critically, work collaboratively, and act boldly--a skill set for the 21st century"(American Montessori Society). They are learning about things that interest them all while being independent, working in groups and being about tho discuss what they are learning with a range of  ages. I cannot really see where the banking concept will actually help a child develop and learn, especially if they do not think about what they are learning.

Follow this link and it will bring you a website with a bunch of information and a video that helps describe what Montessori is in more depth.


Sources:
http://amshq.org/montessori-education/introduction-to-montessori
https://www.google.com/search?q=montessori&es_sm=93&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=3XVlVOqJLcyggwSUhISoCA&ved=0CAsQ_AUoBA&biw=942&bih=941#tbm=isch&q=montessori%20quotes&revid=1992072903&imgdii=_

What is your Educational Philosophy?

This week in class we got the opportunity to find out what type of teaching philosophy we have! I found this to be very exciting! I know that I have certain beliefs for what and how things should be taught in a classroom but it was nice to see exactly what category my thoughts fell into. If you would like to find out for yourself click here for the assessment! and once you are down you can click here for your results!

When taking the assessment I had a feeling I was going to get Progressivism for my educational philosophy but it turns out that one took second place. I ended up with Humanism! After reading what Humanism stood for I do believe that is one is the right choice for me!

Humanism
Humanist educators consider learning from the perspective of the human potential for growth,
becoming the best one can be. The shift is to the study of effective as well as cognitive dimensions
of learning. Beliefs include: human beings can control their own destiny; people are inherently good
and will strive for a better world; people are free to act but must be responsible; behavior is the
consequence of human choice; and people possess unlimited potential for growth and development.
There is a natural tendency for people to learn, which will flourish if nourishing, encouraging
environments are provided.

I think that many of these beliefs are truly important. If someone set their mind on something they believe is important they will try their best to accomplish it. The opportunity for growth is endless and if you want to strive for something better you have the potential to do it, no one is stopping you besides yourself. You can do it! We learn something new everyday, education is never going to stop, we are just going to get smarter and smarter. When teaching I think that it is very important for students to learn personal growth as well as being able to work together and develop ideas. I also believe that everyone is responsible for their own actions and  with that there is unlimited potential.

How would you go about inclusion in the classroom?

     When planning a lesson for an inclusion classroom it can be hard to know where to start. There are many resources available to help set up lesson plans and include ideas within the classroom. It is important to plan out things that you would like to teach in class. Of course not everything will go the way that is expected but it is important to be able to adapt to the different things you may encounter.
     Different teaching methods are very important when teaching an inclusion classroom. Not every student learns the same and it is important to be able to provide different options for lessons. We want students to be able to succeed in the best way possible.
 

          Do you know what UDL or IDEA is when we are talking about school?

UDL is a form of curriculum that provides an appropriate challenge for all students. The materials that are being discussed in class are flexible and include multiple ways that students can go about different assignments.

IDEA is an act that helps provide the help and support to the individual students that need it. The four components need to be applied to all students including goals, media and material, teaching methods, and assessments. All students need to be treated equally and be provided the same opportunities when it comes to learning. These opportunities can be both physically and mentally.

I think that both of these ideas are very important when it comes to the education system. Every student deserves the right to the best education that they can receive.

The picture to the right shows a great example for all different types of people and how they may look and learn different but they can all learn the same thing, just in different ways.


The image above gives many different examples of how students may learn. This can help develop different concepts that teachers can provide alternate ways of doing assignment. I think that students will really benefit more when they can discover what kind of learner they are. This will help them to work on the lessons easier and faster so they can understand what they are being taught.

What are some ways you would go about inclusion in the classroom?

Diversity in the Classroom

     The topic I am choosing to write about in my post this week is how teachers will work with students who are gifted or students who may have disabilities. Both of these types of students will be apart of your classroom setting and it is your job as a teacher to be able to accommodate them in the best way possible!
     As a teacher what can you do for your exceptional learners so they can succeed in your classroom?
     I think that it is very important to get to know every student you have, that way you can get an idea of how they learn and what type of person they are. This may include going out of your way to do research on their giftedness or disability so you can help them learn in the best possible way.
--There is not a law mandating special services to children who are "gifted or talented" but there are things that you can do as a teacher on your own that will challenge them and help them get the most out of their education.
--Students who do have disabilities often have more than one. It is important to in cooperate lesson plans that students at any level can take part in. If students need extra help, it is also important to be able to provide that as well.
More and more students are being discovered with exceptionalities than before because of the resources that are now available. Students representing all different levels are going to be in our classrooms and it is important that we are prepared to teach them in the best way we can. Discussing diversity in the classroom is a major step to creating a safe, accepting place where student can feel comfortable. Everyone is different and that is okay.

Tips for working with students with exceptionalities
This link provides just a few things to keep in mind when teaching students with excetionalities.

I think that it is very important to understand that all students are different. Patience is key, all students learn differently and at different paces. Every student is unique in their own way. We of course do not need to point out what makes them different because that can often put the students in uncomfortable situations. We just need to be able to understand what the best way to accommodate them is and do our best to provide am awesome classroom where everyone feels comfortable to learn.

 Image resource and Fairness image