My classroom will foster both independent growth and collective learning. My goal as a teacher is to first understand how my students learn and use this information to guide how I plan my lessons. Because of this, I have included a student profile and multiple intelligence test on my website. I encourage my students to participate in both and provide me with feedback on their results. While this feedback won’t supply me with a complete idea of how each of my students learn, it will serve as a productive start to the process.
I aim to educate the whole child. This means looking at every aspect of my students’ development and recognizing their unique skills so that I can foster individual growth. As well, assessments will not be solely based on grades, but rather on how each student is progressing on a whole. This will require me to integrate a variety of activities into my lessons, including but not limited to drama, visual arts, physical activity, music, group work and more.
My classroom will also be a safe space for all of my students and visitors. This means that there will be no put-downs and no hateful language, as well as a high level of honesty and trust. As a Tribes-based teacher, I will work on creating this type of space throughout the school year. It is important to create this atmosphere in my classroom because emotions are the gateway to learning. When you are stressed, your brain will not process new information well and it will get filed away as irrelevant rather than important. Yet, in a low-stress situation, your brain functions much better and you have the ability to engage more.
Motivation is an important aspect of education. While extrinsic motivation (when motivation comes from factors outside the student) is useful in some situations, I will focus much more on creating intrinsic motivation (motivation that comes from inside the student) in my classroom. Plainly, I want my students to learn to better themselves, and not simply for the rewards they might receive. I will also follow Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, as seen below. In order for motivation to be present, these needs must be met. For example, if physiological needs are not met, one cannot focus on one's own safety.
I aim to educate the whole child. This means looking at every aspect of my students’ development and recognizing their unique skills so that I can foster individual growth. As well, assessments will not be solely based on grades, but rather on how each student is progressing on a whole. This will require me to integrate a variety of activities into my lessons, including but not limited to drama, visual arts, physical activity, music, group work and more.
My classroom will also be a safe space for all of my students and visitors. This means that there will be no put-downs and no hateful language, as well as a high level of honesty and trust. As a Tribes-based teacher, I will work on creating this type of space throughout the school year. It is important to create this atmosphere in my classroom because emotions are the gateway to learning. When you are stressed, your brain will not process new information well and it will get filed away as irrelevant rather than important. Yet, in a low-stress situation, your brain functions much better and you have the ability to engage more.
Motivation is an important aspect of education. While extrinsic motivation (when motivation comes from factors outside the student) is useful in some situations, I will focus much more on creating intrinsic motivation (motivation that comes from inside the student) in my classroom. Plainly, I want my students to learn to better themselves, and not simply for the rewards they might receive. I will also follow Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, as seen below. In order for motivation to be present, these needs must be met. For example, if physiological needs are not met, one cannot focus on one's own safety.
One way I will ensure that some physiological will be by encouraging every student to bring a water bottle to class and by keeping healthy snacks, such as fruit, in my classroom. Rather than denying students access to these basic needs, as so many classrooms do by instilling absolute rules against food and bathroom breaks, I will listen to my students and their physiological needs.
My goal is to create a low-stress atmosphere that promotes collective learning. My students will gain autonomy in my classroom, which will translate into a higher level of engagement. As well, my classroom will also be a place to have fun and play. I put an emphasis on variety in order to create novel situations, with the goal of having no two lessons feel the same.
My goal is to create a low-stress atmosphere that promotes collective learning. My students will gain autonomy in my classroom, which will translate into a higher level of engagement. As well, my classroom will also be a place to have fun and play. I put an emphasis on variety in order to create novel situations, with the goal of having no two lessons feel the same.