How Students Learn |
Why Students Learn |
I believe it is important to differentiate instruction so that all students can learn in a way that they understand well. That means representing information in multiple ways and allowing students to submit assessment in a variety of formats.
In addition to acknowledging various learning styles, I will also accommodate ELL students and students with special learning needs. |
Students learn because students teach. Education is moving away from thinking young people passively take in information from their all-knowing teachers, and toward giving students authentic, important work that is relevant to the world around them.
Students are the future. They will be participants in a democracy whose voices will be heard. |
Sometimes when educators discuss the "how" and "why" students learn, they insist on a dichotomy between the traditional and the personal; the essential and the existential. That is, they might say that we should teach a certain kind of curriculum without including a student's personal experiences, or vice versa. It is my opinion that such a dichotomy in English is unnecessary - even impossible!
Art imitates life; art also inspires life. It is my hope that students can use their personal experiences as a basis for what we learn in class, and that they can also take what we learn in class and apply it to their lives. My goal is for our work to be relevant and important.
"Now, that's all well and good," you might be saying. "What does that look like, practically?"
Art imitates life; art also inspires life. It is my hope that students can use their personal experiences as a basis for what we learn in class, and that they can also take what we learn in class and apply it to their lives. My goal is for our work to be relevant and important.
"Now, that's all well and good," you might be saying. "What does that look like, practically?"
Classroom Environment
Social Learning
Technology in the Classroom
Assessments and Projects
Bullying
Plagiarism
- Rather than being in a competitive environment where grades are "curved" and students feel they must best one another, scholars should work together and learn from each other, just as we do in the other areas of our life. While students will still receive individual attention and support, they will work collaboratively. If they need help, after they try and cannot solve a problem on their own, they can seek the help of peers.
Technology in the Classroom
- Technology will be allowed for academic purposes. In fact, it can even be beneficial. Many devices have tools that help students with special learning needs. However, there will be times when the use of iPads is appropriate and times when it is not necessary; students will be encouraged to understand which is which.
Assessments and Projects
- Grading will be competency-based, meaning that instead of averaging grades (e.g., if a student receives an F on one exam but an A on another exam, that student would receive a C in the class), a student is required to pass every competency.
- I will give students narrative feedback so they can understand the reason behind their grades, and improve if necessary.
Bullying
- We learn best when we feel comfortable and safe! Bullying is not acceptable. However, when inappropriate behavior does occur, rather than suspending relationships, it is my goal to restore them, per the Restorative Practices model.
Plagiarism
- I believe all students can learn, and that all students are capable of important, innovative thoughts. For that reason, stealing the work of others will not be tolerated. If your student has questions on what plagiarism is, they can review the information under "Resources."