My Philosophies
Students spend an average of 400 minutes per day at school - how are we using those 400 minutes?
Grading Philosophy - Simply put, grades do not provide good feedback. Grades (and Standardized Test scores) are not good representations of what students can do. I was listening to a podcast one day and I will never forget this........the host of the podcast stated that she was at conference with 100 teachers. She asked 3 questions. 1) Who wants their students to succeed? 2) Who believes they are doing everything they can to help their students succeed? 3) Who believes their grades accurately represent what their students know? Every hand was raised for the first 2 question. But that 3rd question though..........only 1 hand was raised.
With that being said, I want students to focus on learning. I discuss this with many students throughout the school year. I believe in providing good verbal and written feedback. I also believe in students providing feedback to each other. I love to run my classroom to create communication and collaboration among students and myself. We should ALL learn from one another.
History is not, and should not be, a regurgitation of facts, names, and dates. It should be an understanding of events, why the events happened, and how these events still affect us today. If I give quizzes, I always allow retakes. If I give tests, I always allow retakes. My preferred method of assessing students is through projects. In my opinion, projects allow for more creativity and critical thinking. The students applies the knowledge rather than remembering facts or multiple choice letters.
With that being said, I want students to focus on learning. I discuss this with many students throughout the school year. I believe in providing good verbal and written feedback. I also believe in students providing feedback to each other. I love to run my classroom to create communication and collaboration among students and myself. We should ALL learn from one another.
History is not, and should not be, a regurgitation of facts, names, and dates. It should be an understanding of events, why the events happened, and how these events still affect us today. If I give quizzes, I always allow retakes. If I give tests, I always allow retakes. My preferred method of assessing students is through projects. In my opinion, projects allow for more creativity and critical thinking. The students applies the knowledge rather than remembering facts or multiple choice letters.
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Student Choice - Students spend 400 minutes a day in school. How are they spending all 400 minutes? I see my role in the classroom as a guider, NOT a controller. Students learn best when they have choice and voice and create their own pathways.
The approach to my philosophies are through my experiences. I have sat in the desks of Room 303. I have sat through all day PD sessions, and it can be agonizing. This is why I feel choice begins with seating. If students want to sit at my desk, floor, my center table, etc.... this can help with creating a comfortable and trusting learning environment. (YES, we will have conversations about choosing seats wisely. YES, if their seat choices are not conducive to a productive learning environment, then I take over.)
One of the simplest words I can say to a students as their teacher is, "Yes." Students have wonderful ideas and and are waiting to unleash creativity. Often times, this creativity is held back by the teacher. Saying, "Yes," builds an environment of trust, learning, and allows students to show what they know in multiple ways. Plus, I don't want to grade 120 of the same product over and over again!
Does all of this seem messy and chaotic? Sure! But, that's the beauty of it all. Factory models and standardization do not create success in school. Choice creates learning and trust, and this should come first!
The approach to my philosophies are through my experiences. I have sat in the desks of Room 303. I have sat through all day PD sessions, and it can be agonizing. This is why I feel choice begins with seating. If students want to sit at my desk, floor, my center table, etc.... this can help with creating a comfortable and trusting learning environment. (YES, we will have conversations about choosing seats wisely. YES, if their seat choices are not conducive to a productive learning environment, then I take over.)
One of the simplest words I can say to a students as their teacher is, "Yes." Students have wonderful ideas and and are waiting to unleash creativity. Often times, this creativity is held back by the teacher. Saying, "Yes," builds an environment of trust, learning, and allows students to show what they know in multiple ways. Plus, I don't want to grade 120 of the same product over and over again!
Does all of this seem messy and chaotic? Sure! But, that's the beauty of it all. Factory models and standardization do not create success in school. Choice creates learning and trust, and this should come first!