The Marriage of Art and Science
I have always thought that teaching is a form of art. Each academic concept, each skill, and each student is a different masterpiece. My natural ability to identify areas of need and steps to take are my vision and the delivery of the lesson my talent. The act of teaching is not turned on from August through June from 7:30 to 3:30; instead it is a part of me as much as the color of my eyes or my love for science fiction. Inclination alone is not enough to be successful however. A good teacher must fine tune their art with science. In order for me to make the greatest impact and ensure students master their learning targets, I must marry the art of teaching with the science of teaching. To do this I use research based instructional strategies and student data to create organic and authentic learning experiences that are measurable and achievable.
Growth Mindset
I believe my job as a teacher is to build capacity and knowledge in each student, taking them from their starting point and moving them forward to accomplish their goals. There is no single formula to be successful in this. Instead, I start with ensuring that the learning environment is safe and welcoming. My goal for the students and myself is that we become a community of learners. Taking time to learn about the students’ culture, their history, their learning styles and personality types ultimately builds trust and respect. When there is mutual respect and trust, we can begin to take risks and feel comfortable trying new things. We understand that everyone is learning and growing and that we must work with each other as a team to be successful.
Throughout the year, students set personal and academic goals for themselves. They collect data from formative and summative assessments and write reflections about their accomplishments and struggles. Students also meet with their growth partners and conference with me. I am guiding them to believe that having a 100 is not the aim, but instead making progress and learning new skills and concepts is. Giving students ownership of their goals and progress strengthens us as a learning community.
Standard Based Lessons
Planning
Each unit of instruction starts with a careful examination of the standards, identification of specific learning targets to master the standard, and then intentional planning of strategies and activities that will benefit all the students in the class, considering their different learning styles and personality traits and how those behaviors might impact progress.
Within each unit I make sure that students have the opportunity for:
• writing
• talking
• reading
• reflection
• movement
• questioning
• investigating
• making choices
• digital learning
• creating visual representations
• working solo, with a partner, and in a group
Formative assessments have an important role in my classroom. Assessments allow both the teacher and the student to ensure they are still on the correct path to meet their targets and master the standards. Feedback is given and discussed frequently and in a timely manner and collected in an individual data folder maintained by each student. Instruction is adjusted based on the feedback collected from the students. This could include more or less time on a particular objective, small group instruction, one-on-one intervention, accommodating tasks and more.
Teaching with Technology
Technology is an excellent way to keep students engaged in the classroom. If used correctly, it can be the ultimate teaching and learning resource. Effective use of technology in the classroom requires all students to have equal opportunity and access to multiple varied interactive activities. The students should be using the technology, not just the teacher!
Students use StoryBoardThat.com to create plot maps of “the Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry.
The amount of technology resources available for teachers is limitless. Here are a few of my go-to activities that are available to all teachers.
My Technology Favorites
1. All things Google!
2. Brain Pop
3. Canva
4. Discovery Ed
5. Duolingo
6. Flip Grid
7. Kami
8. Pear Deck
9. Quizlet, Quizizz, Kahoot
10. Reading A – Z
11. Scholastic Magazines- Digital
12. Story Board That
13. Typing.com
14. Nearpod
15. Mote
Click the button below to see examples of how I incorporate these websites and other types of technology into my daily lessons.