Language Arts Philosophy
I believe that having an effective Language Arts program will help enhance a student’s ability to succeed in his/her future educational needs whether they are general education students, gifted and talented, or children with disabilities. I believe it is very important for students have an effective, meaningful experience in Language Arts that is not limited to Language Arts time, but integrated across content areas.
Giving children the opportunity to read, builds on many skills that a student needs in order to succeed in all areas. I feel that even if a child reads a book twenty times, they are still gaining fluency. A balanced approach to literacy will help a student be successful in various content areas at various Language Arts needs.
I also feel that a teacher should read to her students as much as possible. Students will benefit with their use of proper grammar and punctuation in their writings and speaking. I feel that teaching grammar on a daily basis can be done by modeling proper grammar, as well as studying grammar and learning about the use of proper grammar not only for my own use, but to help the students as well. Students with learning disabilities can also benefit from teachers reading, because they can see and hear the correct way of speaking and writing.
I n addition teaching my students to be critical thinkers is important in order for them to become better problem solvers. I would try to teach my student to be critical thinkers, evaluate, and make decisions. When students are taught to be critical thinkers they will be creative thinkers as well. Getting students to express themselves, should not be a duty, or something they “have” to do, but something they enjoy to do. Students can express themselves in there thinking, writing, and artistic abilities. I would try to encourage students to write, and express their feeling on paper. With early childhood, this begins with drawings and lead to writing words and sentences.
I feel that children of all kinds should be able to be given the opportunity to read, write, and express their thoughts in any form they feel. Having a balanced literacy program implemented in a classroom can help a teacher provide a better literacy experience. I also feel very strongly about teaching younger children especially in the early grades, Pre-K- 1st grade, the basics; alphabet, sounds and basic phonics. These basics will in the long run, help children with their language arts/ reading experiences in life.
Giving children the opportunity to read, builds on many skills that a student needs in order to succeed in all areas. I feel that even if a child reads a book twenty times, they are still gaining fluency. A balanced approach to literacy will help a student be successful in various content areas at various Language Arts needs.
I also feel that a teacher should read to her students as much as possible. Students will benefit with their use of proper grammar and punctuation in their writings and speaking. I feel that teaching grammar on a daily basis can be done by modeling proper grammar, as well as studying grammar and learning about the use of proper grammar not only for my own use, but to help the students as well. Students with learning disabilities can also benefit from teachers reading, because they can see and hear the correct way of speaking and writing.
I n addition teaching my students to be critical thinkers is important in order for them to become better problem solvers. I would try to teach my student to be critical thinkers, evaluate, and make decisions. When students are taught to be critical thinkers they will be creative thinkers as well. Getting students to express themselves, should not be a duty, or something they “have” to do, but something they enjoy to do. Students can express themselves in there thinking, writing, and artistic abilities. I would try to encourage students to write, and express their feeling on paper. With early childhood, this begins with drawings and lead to writing words and sentences.
I feel that children of all kinds should be able to be given the opportunity to read, write, and express their thoughts in any form they feel. Having a balanced literacy program implemented in a classroom can help a teacher provide a better literacy experience. I also feel very strongly about teaching younger children especially in the early grades, Pre-K- 1st grade, the basics; alphabet, sounds and basic phonics. These basics will in the long run, help children with their language arts/ reading experiences in life.
Math Philosophy
Teachers should go into teaching math with a positive attitude, clearly understanding that if you as the teacher model good math ethics, then the students will also follow your modeling.
I believe that the study of mathematics should be related to real life experiences so that students can see that math exists and is something that they use on a daily basis. Exposing children to many forms and examples of math will also help them understand math at not just a personal level but at a level that they can use and make real life connections with.
The use of manipulatives are important tools to introduce children to specific skills, but should not be used as a crutch. Children should not grow dependant on using counters for example, if they are already multiplying. I feel that using external object to begin to learn a concept can help a student internalize the concept later.
As a teacher one should always find a way to integrate math in all content areas. Math should not just be limited to math time. Centers can also help enhance lessons taught in class, and a math center can even help a child explore a concept they have been thinking about. This will allow students to begin to think critically about problems, as well as become better problem solvers.
As a teacher, I plan on allowing the students to freely explore concepts in the math center, so that they do not feel like math is something you “have to learn”. I will give them real life experiences so that it relates to them. They will better understand math, if it is integrated, and I plan on integrating it in all content areas. I also, would like to be flexible in how students solve problems. I would understand that there is always more than one way to solve a problem, and I would be willing to explore those different ways with my class. Small groups will help me as well, in meeting the specific needs a child needs in order to be successful.
I believe that the study of mathematics should be related to real life experiences so that students can see that math exists and is something that they use on a daily basis. Exposing children to many forms and examples of math will also help them understand math at not just a personal level but at a level that they can use and make real life connections with.
The use of manipulatives are important tools to introduce children to specific skills, but should not be used as a crutch. Children should not grow dependant on using counters for example, if they are already multiplying. I feel that using external object to begin to learn a concept can help a student internalize the concept later.
As a teacher one should always find a way to integrate math in all content areas. Math should not just be limited to math time. Centers can also help enhance lessons taught in class, and a math center can even help a child explore a concept they have been thinking about. This will allow students to begin to think critically about problems, as well as become better problem solvers.
As a teacher, I plan on allowing the students to freely explore concepts in the math center, so that they do not feel like math is something you “have to learn”. I will give them real life experiences so that it relates to them. They will better understand math, if it is integrated, and I plan on integrating it in all content areas. I also, would like to be flexible in how students solve problems. I would understand that there is always more than one way to solve a problem, and I would be willing to explore those different ways with my class. Small groups will help me as well, in meeting the specific needs a child needs in order to be successful.
Social Studies Philosophy
Social Studies stress the interaction, dialogue, personal involvement and experience of people. These things are crucial in order for students to develop understanding of Social Studies concepts. In other words, students must become active learners, creating their own meaning and understanding relative to the concepts they are attempting to learn, as well as emphasizes the importance for creating an environment in which students are mutually respectful and are willing to take risks.
Social studies are sometimes put on the back burner, because teachers focus mainly on math, reading, or testing. I feel that it is of great importance for students to be given an opportunity to experience diversity in their classroom. Today, classes are made up of various cultures, thus exposing them to the diversity of the world.
I also feel that social studies should be made “Alive”. Students today rarely get the opportunity to experience a piece of history with their own hands. I feel for example, a student might get more out of acting out a piece of history then just reading about it. Students should be given hands on experience not only in science and math, but in social studies as well.
Exposing students to diversity at a young age, will help them become better students, and citizens in the future. Allowing for students to experience cultures hands on, gives them the opportunity to understand the differences and similarities cultures have. This can be done through the use of a social studies center and can be very intriguing for a student. In all, I feel that social studies is an important aspect of a student’s school life, in order for the student to grow up educated about various cultures.
Social studies are sometimes put on the back burner, because teachers focus mainly on math, reading, or testing. I feel that it is of great importance for students to be given an opportunity to experience diversity in their classroom. Today, classes are made up of various cultures, thus exposing them to the diversity of the world.
I also feel that social studies should be made “Alive”. Students today rarely get the opportunity to experience a piece of history with their own hands. I feel for example, a student might get more out of acting out a piece of history then just reading about it. Students should be given hands on experience not only in science and math, but in social studies as well.
Exposing students to diversity at a young age, will help them become better students, and citizens in the future. Allowing for students to experience cultures hands on, gives them the opportunity to understand the differences and similarities cultures have. This can be done through the use of a social studies center and can be very intriguing for a student. In all, I feel that social studies is an important aspect of a student’s school life, in order for the student to grow up educated about various cultures.