Philosophy of Education:my beliefs

Amy BirdwellFoundations of American Education

Vickie FontaineJune 12, 2010

• My goal is for the motivation of my classroom to be “to cooperate” and “to understand”.

• I will set up my classroom as a place of discovery.

• I will use incentives for turning in homework and staying on task.

• I will allow students to work together on many assignments and teach each other through their interaction.

Classroom Climate

My goal is to create a warm environment in which everyone respects one another.

Discussions should be open and students should feel free to share opinions and ideas.

Students should be interested in the subject and have a desire to learn and help others.

Teaching ValuesI believe students will learn values, best, by example.

I believe that Jesus the best teacher and my greatest example. I will follow Him as my students follow me.

Our classroom rules should reflect core values, such as respect, kindness and cooperation.

Classroom Organization

physical setting-My classroom will be arranged in an open manner with students desks in groups or tables. There will be specific spaces set up for reading, computers, hands-on activities, and audio area.

lesson planning-Students will keep a learning journal and our lessons will consist of many investigation type activity.

student assessment-Students will be assessed through essays, interview and their learning journals.

Discipline Practices

Students will rotate through the list of classroom “jobs” each day. This practice gives students a sense of responsibility and belonging and deter negative behavior.

The students and I will create a classroom contract. It will include expectations of ourselves. It will also include a set of rewards and consequences for breach of contract.The parents and students will sign a copy and it will be posted in the classroom as a reminder.

I will use positive reinforcement. Students will earn tickets for outstanding behavior and pennies for achieving goals. They may spend their earnings at our classroom store at weeks end.

Learning StylesBecause every student learns in their own unique way, I believe teachers should teach in all different ways.

At the beginning of the year, I will assess each students’ learning style.

I will encourage students to study in ways conducive to their own style and will focus my teaching around the primary styles.

Empowerment• Students should practice

leadership in the classroom, through discussion, projects, and demonstration.

• Building self-worth is essential to students’ success in life.

• Students will be encouraged to participate in classroom activities.

• A goal will be set to help students find their niche and become involved.

CONSTRUCTIVISM

We will go on as many field trips as allowed.

We will conduct classroom experiments.

We will use manipulatives.

“Constructivism is an educational philosophy that emphasizes developing Students will learn through hands-on activity” (Johnson, p.134).

STUDENTS LEARN BY DOING!

References

Johnson, J. A. et al. (2011). Foundations of American Education: Perspectives on Education in a Changing World. Fifteenth Edition. Boston: Pearson