EXAMPLES OF MY TEACHING
HOW ARE WE LIKE TREES?
Kindergarten
During my time in Laura Gale's Kindergarten classroom I had the opportunity to lead the students through a unit where we considered the question "How Are We Like Trees?" Throughout this unit I gave the students summative assessments in "leaf" form so that we could add them to our growing tree of knowledge. Below is the link to the unit plan.
INSECTS AND LANGUAGE ARTS
Grade 1
While at Herald School I was intrigued by the students' interest in insects. This led me to the creation of an insect Language Arts unit. This unit peaks the students' interest while also covering many imperative Language Arts outcomes. Below is the link to the unit plan.
SCIENCE & ART CROSS-CURRICULAR UNIT PLAN
Grade 1
This unit plan was created in order to allow students to learn about mixing colours while examining the Northern Lights to create a beautiful piece of art. Below is a link to the detailed unit plan.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Grade 6
While I was in Jessilyn Swanson's grade 6 class I had the opportunity to teach a full unit plan. I created a Local Government unit that was interactive, but also introduced the students to note taking. Below is a link to the slides that I created to guide us through the unit.
EXPLORING LIQUIDS USING MATH
Grade 2
This unit that I developed is beneficial for student learning because it delves into knowledge that the students need to understand to further develop as scientists. The main concept that students will study in this unit is liquids, which surround them in different ways every day. It will also delves into the states of matter enabling the students to apply their newfound knowledge to things that they see and do. It also discusses multiple specific outcomes in the grade two math curriculum. This will give students the knowledge that math is not only used in math class, but in scientific situations and in real life.
THREE BILLYÂ GOATS ACTIVITY
Kindergarten
During my Kindergarten practicum placement I developed and implemented a lesson plan which stemmed from the story "The Three Billy Goats Gruff". After reading the story the students drew pictures of what they thought happened at the beginning, middle, and ending of the story. They were then challenged to create a bridge for the three billy goats in the story. They started by drawing diagrams to plan their bridge designs. They labelled the items they used in their designs by sounding out the item names. The students then collaborated with a friend and built a bridge together using aspects from both of their plans. They learned that in some cases their designs had to be edited so it could support the three billy goats crossing their bridge. At the end of the activity all of the billy goats were safe on the other side of their bridges!
UNIVERSITY COURSES
YEAR 4
EDUC 4101
This class delved into teaching music and drama to elementary students. We developed year plans for both drama and music, incorporating the many facets of these subjects that we learned about such as musicals, songs, and instrument instruction.
EDUC 3361
This class was entitled Exceptional Students, Special Needs, and Inclusive Schooling. During this course we were challenged to delve into our own opinions about inclusive education. The information that was given throughout the semester made me realize that an inclusive education must be available to all students. I learned how to create an inclusive environment in my classroom so that all students can learn to the best of their ability.
EDUC 4107
In this course we were familiarized with the Social Studies curriculum. I learned how to implement Social Studies curriculum content in lesson plans and unit plans to best educate students.
EDUC 2375
This course allowed me to develop an understanding of concepts and issues related to differentiated assessment of learning. IÂ learned how to construct assessments to properly evaluate and measure learner performance.
YEAR 3
EDUC 3103
This class helped me to develop the skills to teach English Language Arts in elementary schools. We discussed how to properly implement the Alberta curriculum into our unit planning, while teaching with the proper techniques. 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 including test design and construction, and the reporting of evaluation results.
EDUC 3106
This course explored the Science elementary curriculum. I learned how to properly integrate the Alberta program of studies objectives for science into unit plans and assessments.
EDUC 4325
This class examined multiple facets of our society that I, as a teacher, am likely to experience in the classroom. We studied how the economy the economy, the state, social class, gender, ethnicity, sub- cultural membership, ideology, religion, and the home environment can impact students. This class gave me the knowledge and confidence to handle these challenges effectively.
EDUC 3108
This course was based on the Mathematics curriculum for grades kindergarten to six. Throughout this class I acquired the skills and knowledge to effectively plan lessons encompassing the appropriate outcomes and process outcomes presented in the Alberta Program of Studies.
YEAR 2
EDTS 371
This class taught me the skills to analyze students reading and writing. I learned how to conduct a miscue analysis on students as well as how to use this to improve their learning.
KNES 204
This class was based off of how sport effects society. This class is handy to have as a teacher because I have a deeper understanding how sports can effect the students in my class both positively and negatively.
KNES 281
This class was an introduction to the theory and practice of instruction in physical activity setting. I learned how to apply instructional techniques to a variety of activities and environments in order to enhance the development of instructional skills that can promote skill learning.
LING 201
In this course we broke down the english language into specific parts. We analyzed the syntax, phonemes, syllables, and morphemes of our language. This class was beneficial for me as a teacher, allowing me to look deeper into a student's problem with words and help them more effectively with the english language.
GNED 230
This class was entitled "Citizenship without Borders" which basically means globalization. That was mainly what this class encompassed. We learned about other countries, cultures, races and their integration into Canada. This is very useful class to have as a teacher due to the growing multiculturalism in our schools. It is important to have knowledge of other cultures so that we can help them feel welcome in our classroom.
PHIL 347
This course analyzed current moral issues. We studied sexual morality, abortion, justice, and the legal enforcement of morality.
A critical and analytic examination of some current moral issues is studied in this course. Topics investigated may include authority, religion in society, suicide, sexual morality, abortion, and the legal enforcement of morality, justice.
HIST 231
This class covered Canadian history from the beginning until 1867. We delved deeper into concepts that you learn in grade school, which is incredibly beneficial for me as a teacher. We also covered topics that I have never learned before that would be great to add on to lessons in grade school.
YEAR 1
NUTR 200
This nutrition class was an introductory course designed to provide you with a basic understanding of the role of nutrition in health, disease, and fitness. It covered both fundamental nutrition principles and practical applications. We critically examined current topics in the field of nutrition. Overall, this course allowed me to gain an understanding of individual nutrition needs as well as those of specialized populations.
I can utilize what I learned in this course in many ways as an educator. I can integrate this knowledge of nutrition into health classes in order to educate children on what they are eating. I am also able to use this information to maintain a healthy classroom for example, always having healthy snacks on hand for students.
RELI 205
Nature of Religion examines the histories and world views of a number of religious traditions, as well as philosophical issues arising within and from these traditions. Some ancient and tribal traditions were studied, but the focus was on major, living world religions. Philosophical topics that were addressed were the existence and nature of ultimate reality, life after death, pain and evil, faith and knowledge, and religious pluralism.
I could use what I have learned in this religion class to bring a unique aspect and perspective to religious classes offered in schools. In this course we discussed multiple religions so I am knowledgeable in many areas. This knowledge will help me to follow and build on the curriculum of the specific religious area.
GNED 221
This course entitled Aesthetic Experience and Ideas examines human aesthetic responses and our capacities to interpret diverse forms of cultural expressions. I studied literary texts, paintings, sculpture, architecture, music, film, dance, opera, and decorative arts. We were encouraged to critically explore the values, beliefs, and ideas that shape, and are shaped by human experience, and are expressed by individuals, communities, and societies, through their art and cultural expression. We also explored the various media which cultural expression takes place.
In this course we integrated a lot of creative aspects in order to study aesthetics which I could easily integrate into an art class. We utilized photography, drawing, and collage making. Having practice at these forms of art will allow me to fully educate students on how to create them. Since we analyzed a various amount of aesthetic pieces I will be able to encourage children to examine art more deeply. This will allow students to more fully understand art and its importance.
EDTS 232
In this education course I had the opportunity to explore what a teacher is and what their role is. We examined the qualities and attributes of teachers that contribute to effective learning for students. We also discussed many assumptions that surround teaching and education and more thoroughly examined them. We had the privilege of attending a practicum this semester to begin our educational journey. Overall, this course allows you to ascertain your future of becoming an educator.
This course encompasses education, therefore every aspect that I learned in this course I am able to apply to teaching. This includes the information about learners and their needs as well as how teachers can make informed decisions for learning.
HIST 333
This course focussed on certain themes in 19th century Canadian culture. These themes included working class culture and leisure, rural and urban lifestyles, social class and the Victorian family, newspapers and periodicals, regional societies and folk myths, and political culture.
I am able to pull much of the information that I learned in this course into social lessons within the school. Since we learned how to examine information from newspapers from the 19th century, I can use this knowledge to show students the difference from then and now comparing newspapers and their information.
KNES 247
This kinesiology course was based around health and wellness. We learned the importance of physical fitness and a nutritious diet and how to implement this into our lives. We had the opportunity to attend a weekly lab in this class where we attended the gym and focussed on specific aspects of physical fitness.
This course is incredibly beneficial when teaching a gym class. We learned how to properly exercise and I can relay this information to my students. This will allow me to have a safe gym class with little to no injuries. This information on health that I received from this course will benefit me in the way that I can educate my students in the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
EDTS 321
This Educational Psychology course focussed on the psychological, social, and educational determinants of child development. It included theory, research, and illustrations all dealing with the classroom application of psychological principles. Topics that we covered related to physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development of children, students learning and instruction, and student motivation.
I can utilize this in the information that I learned in this course to more fully understand students and their actions. This gives me the ability to build better relationships with students in order to have a positive classroom atmosphere.
EDTS 234
This education course examined the structure of classrooms and schools, the purpose and function of curriculum, and the role of the teacher. We were encouraged to express our personal philosophy of education during this course. Another practicum experience was offered to us this semester in order to allow us to plan and teach a lesson. We learned how to create a lesson plan that encompasses all of the necessary components to meet each students educational needs.
I learned how to create a lesson plan in this course as well as properly teach it. I was able to express my own feelings of education and me goal as an educator through my personal philosophy.
ENGL 202
This english class taught the basics of the language arts. I learned how to paraphrase Shakespearean poems and to look more deeply into literary works.
This is beneficial for education because of the information that it gives regarding different forms of literature.
ENGL 252
This class was essential for writing papers for the remainder of my college career. We learned how to to write papers using APA formatting and how to compose different types of papers.