Project-Based Learning
PBL was a new topic introduced to me in my fourth year of University. Since then, it has intrigued me and I am always interested to hear more about it. I have written an essay on the topic, attended a workshop on the topic, and I have had the chance to implement small publishing projects during two of my teaching placements (learn more about my projects under the heading "Professional Practice").
View my essay here:
Debate Video, Geography Video & Moses Sins: A Video Bible Story
In 21st century education, technology takes a front seat. Although limited technology is available at HCS, I enjoy incorporating it when I can. My grade 4 class had fun filming our debate videos; they are a great keepsake for the students to show their parents!
I have created other videos as well for the visual learners among my students. The "Moses Sins" video was both engaging and instructive for the students -they loved it! I created the "GeoGuessr Lesson Plan" video as a way to visually engage my students with the world around them.
During my placement in a Grade 2/3 class at Ancaster Meadow School, I had the chance to experiment with a Smart Board.
View my Smart Board slides below:
Math Made Fun!
In an effort to help his students understand the importance of using concrete materials for mathematics in the primary grades, my professor, Trevor Brown, had each student of the Education Class of 2015 at Redeemer University College create a Concrete Materials Booklet in which the concrete materials were explained and examples were given. It was amazing to put some of this new knowledge into practice! One student commented, "This can't be math! It's too fun!" There are so many ways to incorporate math learning into fun games and hands-on activities, and I strive to keep this as my goal while I teach math.
View a shortened version of the Concrete Materials Booklet, my Symmetry Math Stations Lesson Plan, my Summative Geometry Project, & my "Solid Understanding of Solids" Math unit here:
Professional Knowledge
"Members strive to be current in their professional knowledge and recognize its relationship to practice. They understand and reflect on student development, learning theory, pedagogy, curriculum, ethics, educational research and related policies and legislation to inform professional judgment in practice." -OCT website
As the requirements for a Bachelor of Education increase, I find myself agreeing with the changes being made. There is so much to learn in regards to the teaching profession, and additional course requirements are beneficial to further understanding and knowledge about teaching. I am committed to understanding my students, teaching theories, the curriculum, etc.
Currently, I am focused on increasing my knowledge of the beneficial use of concrete materials in mathematics, Project-based learning, the benefits of technology in the classroom, and assessment and feedback methods.
Assessment: Small Steps
For the majority of my elementary and high school education, I was very grade-driven. As I continue to learn about assessment as learning, for learning, and of learning, I am also beginning to appreciate critical thinking assessments and evaluations, as opposed to a more fact-based test, and I find myself caring less about grades and caring more about enduring understandings. In my most recent placement, the students were most familiar with summative tests that focused on recollection of facts. Although there is a place for this, I ventured away from this style of assessment and evaluation when possible to allow the students to experience something new.
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View the rubric for a Grade 4 debate here:
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View a summative activity and rubric for a Bible unit here:
View a summative activity for a Novel Study unit here:
6 + 1 Traits of Writing
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The 6 + 1 Traits of Writing is a writing program created by Ruth Culham. To help students become better writers, she identifies the 7 traits that define good writing. After reading her book and studying the benefits of teaching with picture books in university and by personal reading, I was inspired to create this unit focused on 10 children's picture books. I have been able to use parts of this unit while teaching Grade 4 at Heritage; the students enjoy reading and looking at some favourite stories and realizing how helpful "simple" picture books can be
View the entire unit plan here: