DPA: "My Aunt Came Back"
I like to incorporate technology in beneficial ways into the classroom. One helpful use of technology is showing educational youtube videos for Daily Physical Activity. The Learning Station, a youtube channel, offers some "Body Break" videos (some are better than others; "My Aunt Came Back" is a favourite of the Grade 3 class at Heritage Christian School) that are fun and the perfect brain break from hard concentration at school! Lately, I've been enjoying the website "GoNoodle" for more fun!
Remembrance Day Assembly
I had the privilege to help organize the Remembrance Day Assembly at Heritage Christian School. Being part of this assembly allowed me to showcase my abilities with Powerpoint and it taught me how to be a good team worker, working with both my associate teacher and the Kindergarten teacher, as well as other teachers who assisted with sound, setting up, etc.
View my powerpoint presentation here:
Leadership in Learning Communities
"Members promote and participate in the creation of collaborative, safe and supportive learning communities. They recognize their shared responsibilities and their leadership roles in order to facilitate student success. Members maintain and uphold the principles of the ethical standards in these learning communities." -OCT website
This standard has a focus on the creation of collaborative, safe, and supportive learning communities. I have seen the benefits of teachers and staff members constantly inquiring of each other as to their well-being and of consistent offers to step in and be of assistance in a time of need or an area of struggle. I consider this to be of utmost importance, as it leads to the feeling that you are able to accomplish difficult tasks. Even if you are unable to do so alone, you know that you would be able to ask others to help. I want to be the type of teacher that other faculty know they can rely on for help in areas where needed. I also want to be able to admit where I may need assistance and encouragement and to rely on the people around me to help me be the best teacher that I can be.
Some ways in which I have been a leader in my learning communities include: developing a reading incentive program for the Junior Division of Heritage Christian School (2016-2017), conversing with members of the Education Committee and Board of Directors to improve curriculum at Heritage Christian School (2016-2017), being a mentor as part of the mentorship program for education students at Redeemer, being a main organizer of the Remembrance Day Assembly at Heritage Christian School (2014), and introducing Daily Physical Activity (DPA) to the grade 3 classroom during a teaching placement at Heritage Christian School, as well as for my current Grade 4 students.
Below are examples of how I have adhered to this standard in my schooling and in my placements.
Reading Incentive Program
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In my first year of teaching, I encouraged my students to be involved in the reading incentive program that the school had used for years. I was surprised by the amount of persuading I had to do! As a result, I, along with a colleague, discussed the objective of the program and evaluated the program that was in place. With encouragement from our division, we made a new reading incentive program, that we entitled "Book Bingo." This year is its pilot year; so far, the students are loving it.
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Learn more about it here: