I have a challenge ahead of me. Actually, to be
perfectly honest, it's an assignment. "Stop it right there!" you say.
"I thought this was a blog about photography!" Well, it's that too.
My assignment was to create a blog (Hey! What do you know? I already have one!)
and post about my teaching philosophy. So, I decided to combine the two by
posting about my teaching philosophy and putting up pictures that describe this
philosophy.
My teaching philosophy focuses around one central
idea: constructivism. Constructivism is simple: the teacher provides the
framework for the classroom, and the students are allowed to work within the
framework. An example of this is rules. Now rules are tricky to address. Given
too much freedom, students will run rampant within the classroom. Given to
little of freedom, students will rebel or not engage within the classroom.
Where is this middle? Constructivists handle the structure of the classroom in
such as way where they allow and guide students to help find the routines,
rules and procedures that best fit their classroom. The
teacher has input in this way because they are allowing and guiding
the students to make the rules. Students, in turn, are creating the rules (with
guidance.)
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| Model: Meghann Nixon |
Another aspect of my teaching philosophy
is discipline. Discipline is a hard aspect to address within a classroom.
Although many think of discipline as punishment for doing wrong behavior (which
is one aspect) there is also the aspect of training students on how to obey
rules. Discipline is also teaching students how to solve issues that stem from
disobedience from rules. One way to address this is through class meetings. If
students are trained on how to obey rules and solve problems, then the
likelihood of the teacher using harsh discipline decreases. Class meetings
encourage students (with a teachers counsel) to help solve potential or current
problems due to disobedience of classroom rules; students agree on how to solve
problems and the solution is then implemented. Students are disciplining
themselves, under the teacher’s careful eye. One constructivist way to
discipline within the classroom is to have class meetings.
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| Model: Meghann Nixon |
The last part of my teaching philosophy is that of respect
and safety. Students
who feel like they are respected and safe within the classroom will
unconsciously give themselves permission to learn. The feelings of
vulnerability will diminish, and confidence will surface knowing that no harm,
physically or emotionally, will come to them they begin to open up and contribute
to the class. Students can be given a framework of how to establish a safe
environment, and come up with ideas on how to best establish the feelings of
safety. Together, teachers and students follow through with the framework to
establish a safe environment. Upon implementing a safe environment, students
will gain a greater desire to learn because they feel safe.
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| Model: Meghann Nixon |
My teaching philosophy focuses around
constructivism. Rules, discipline, respect and safety are four of many elements
that are part of my teaching philosophy. I believe that when these elements are
taught with constructivism, then students will be more willing to participate
in class and to allow themselves to learn.
P.S. After searching, I found some educational
blogs that I really enjoyed.
“Ms. Cassidy’s Classroom Blog.”
“Ms. Cassidy’s Classroom Blog.”
Ms. Cassidy uses in blog to share with parents what
her Canadian class has done throughout the week.
“Teaching is Elementary”
Mrs. S posts about what happens in an elementary
school, more specifically, her 4th grade classroom.
“4 The Love of Teaching”
Mrs. Garan blog is about her fifth grade classroom in
Georgia, family activities, and her Christian faith.
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