Philosophy of Teaching- Ashley Heller

Ms. Heller’s 2nd Grade Classroom Guide IT TAKES A BIG HEART TO SHAPE LITTLE MINDS

Our classroom, and everything you’ll need to know!

Table of Contents Ms. Hellers Teaching Philosophy…………………………….......2 My Teaching Style………………………………………………………3 How Will I Assess your Learning?........................................4 Rules and Expectations within the Classroom…………………5 Goals……………………………………………………………………….6 Classroom Environment…………………….………………………..7 Diversity and Inclusiveness………………………………………….8 Welcome to My Classroom……………………………………………9

Ms. Heller’s Teaching Philosophy Why am I here? I believe that every student can succeed. Teaching is so much more than relaying the content and a demonstration of learning; it is about allowing students to flourish and be confident in their learning. I want every child in my classroom to be themselves, ask questions, and be comfortable in my classroom.

How will I engage my students? While teaching my students to become the best humans they can be. It is important to hone in on engagement and attentiveness. The importance of engaging your students is quite critical as I want every child that steps foot in my classroom to accomplish what we are learning. Some ways that I will engage my students is to start every morning with a warm-up, whether that be school related or just simply for fun, it is crucial to allow my students’ brains to start warming up and getting prepared for the day ahead.

Another way I will engage my students is involving them in what we are learning. This includes, coming to the carpet, and allowing each pupil to attack the content being taught; this allows the students to have a more understanding of what is being instructed and pushes them to try even when it could be wrong, which is OK! One other way for engagement, is to have small groups. Breaking each student up into groups allows me to not only assess their knowledge and check in on them, but also allows the student to possibly feel more comfortable with explaining what they’re learning to a smaller group rather than the whole class. There are many ways to attack engagement and what is stated above is just a few that I will do with your students! J

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My Teaching Style

My teaching style will consist of actively engaging my students, blending my personality with my students’ interests and needs, and be a demonstrator.

These attributes pushes me to not only involve my students within the content but provides me to tend to my students needs so I can build that bond and relationship with them. This additionally helps my students understand the curriculum and stay actively involved in the classroom.

There are many types of teaching styles, those include: studentcentered, teacher-centered, facilitator, and delegator. I plan to incorporate all these styles throughout my classroom instead of focusing on only one. I believe using a little bit of each of these styles can point my students in the right direction throughout their education and pushes me to go out of my comfort zone whilst teaching.

I believe in having a fun environment. While teaching and learning can become difficult and challenging, I will always strive to form an enjoyable climate filled with a calming atmosphere at the same time. If there is no fun, or enjoyment, kids won’t want to learn. I want children to learn in my class and WANT to come to school and WANT to become educated. At the end of the day, the only person pushing yourself is you- so have fun and believe in yourself!!!

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How Will I Assess Your Learning?

While going through the curriculum, It is beneficial for me to assess your students’ learning along the way. Some ways that I will do so will look like: •

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Providing homework/worksheets: I will strive to not have homework due every night, but if your student does not finish the worksheet in class, or shows me no effort, I will assign it as homework, and it will need to be finished on time.

Tests: These tests will include the academic and growth tests that will happen at least 3 times a school year (fall, winter, and spring). I will also have occasional spelling tests as well that will take place in the classroom.

Finger Meter: for each lesson, I will have students show me a finger from 0-3 (0 being no understanding and 3 being full understanding) they will portray this at the beginning, middle, and end of each lesson. This can show me how much the class, as a whole, is understanding the content.

Question Wall: I will have a question wall posted up in the classroom. After each lesson, I will have the students write down a question they have about the content and then go over their questions in class to see what their understandings are.

Spot the Mistake: I will demonstrate an example of a mistake in Math or English and see if my students can spot the mistake as a class or individually.

One-On-One Group Work: I will meet with each student individually and go over each subject or the subject they are have the most trouble on and attack the content and unpack it.

Rules and Expectations within the Classroom

How important is respect?

VERY IMPORTANT. It is critical to not only respect me as a teacher, but to also respect your peers, other instructors, friends, family, etc. This not only shows me respect, but also allows you, as the student, to understand the importance of respecting others.

Demonstrating responsibility can be portrayed as obeying the teacher (listening to rules and following them), cleaning up after oneself; keeping the classroom clean and tidy; be helpful to peers, completing homework on time, etc. Be responsible for your environment!

Listening In the classroom is and always will be expected. You will be expected to have your listening ears whenever I, the teacher is speaking, another peer is speaking, or whenever another adult is speaking. Talking over a spokesperson will not be tolerated and it will show disrespect.

During independent work time I will expect you to work quietly and be working on your own things. There will be opportunities when we have group work, and you can work with others, but during time when you must work on homework or tasks by yourself, please maintain a quiet voice.

That’s right! Kindness does begin with YOUJ. In my classroom I look forward to a kindness environment and students working with each other positively. I will never condone to bullying, negative attitudes, discriminatory comments, dishonesty, cursing/foul language, and cheating.

So, JUST BE KIND.

During a lesson, independent/group work time, small groups with Ms. Heller, etc., I want you to raise your hand if you have a question, comment, concern, etc. This way you won’t blurt out an answer, talk over the teacher in charge, or a peer, and this also allows me, as the teacher, to listen to you actively and give you my 5 full engagement.

Goals Students Individually As stated before, I want all my students to be successful. My goals for my students, and your children, is to push them to try their best. I understand that school can get tricky and difficult, but attacking the content and trying is the most important aspect.

I also want my students to have their own goals; possibly creating a list or knowing what the student wants to accomplish leads them to want to achieve that goal. This can also push them to wanting to do their best.

Another goal is to have my students be eager to learn.

This not only makes it easier for me as a teacher to instruct, but it also allows the children to want to learn something new everyday and builds that mind growth.

Lastly, a goal that is also important is to have my student improve the subject they are struggling with.

This shows me that the student is growing and developing the skills of achievement.

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I will absolutely help each student achieve and aim for their own goals, but they need to have the aspirations to do so as well. It is important to reassure each child, as well, to understand that it is okay to make mistakes along the way while achieving these goals.

Classroom as a Whole While building these individual goals, we can also create goals for the classroom as a whole. A number one goal, is to always be kind; you never know what the person next to you is going through, so just be nice.

Be prepared for the day.

Come to class ready to learn and make sure you have your supplies with you at all times.

Ask questions. Do not hesitate to ask questions, I am here to guide you to succeed, and I want you to accomplish that.

Engage in the activities and lessons. I want to be able to know that you understand the content being instructed and I also want you to be actively engaging and listening.

And last, but not least, have fun! Learning is F.U.N, so be yourself, have fun, and strive to be the best student.

Celebration of Achievements Now, as stated, it can be tricky to get through these goals and attack it straight on. So, as a way for my students to keep striving for these goals, I’ve created ways to celebrate each pupil whenever they accomplish said goal.

Students individually: v Send an affirmation card to student/family v Praise the effort to the student v Reward them with a small gift (as in supplies that are needed) Classroom as a Whole: v Display work on the “WOW Wall” v Host an “award” ceremony v Pizza Party

Classroom Environment

Our classroom will provide a very comfortable and inclusive space that allows

I will set high academic expectations throughout my classroom. It is crucial to

each student to be able to express their thoughts, comments, questions, and

set high demands for my students to accomplish their academic achievements. If

concerns freely. Our classroom will be a judge free zone; every child deserves to feel

there is no goal, or aspiration, it is hard for me to push them to be the best student

like they belong and be able to express freely without feeling judgement from

they can be. I believe in each and every one of my students.

teachers, peers, etc.

Lastly, I believe that positive reinforcement I will also provide accessible resources, supplies, books, “calm corner,” etc. My

is to be set within the classroom. This lets my students feel proud of themselves and

students deserve to acquire these

leads them to want to succeed. Just by

materials, although, if abused to an extent,

simply telling my students they are being

students will not have access for a certain amount of time until I think they are ready

wonderful students and showing mature values can build their self esteem up.

to have them back; this shows dominance and care for others.

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Diversity & Inclusiveness I believe that this topic is very critical for students to understand and become educated on. Each of my students are going to be different from the one they are sitting next to– which I think is really cool. So how will I implement this aspect in the classroom? For starters, I will get to know each one of my students; I want to know where they’re from, what their ethnic background is, their family history, etc., this permits me to understand my student more and lets the child feel more included. Continuing, I will always include diversity within my lesson plans. This can include me going broader overall when talking about different regions of the world and how it encompasses. This can also include me involving active learning.

Pertaining to inclusiveness, I will have class group time, small groups, and partner work implemented throughout the classroom. This introduces students to to their peers and lets them create new friends and bonds with the other kids in their class. My students will be exposed to many diverse and inclusiveness attributes that will build their open-minded growth as they begin to bloom as students in my classroom. I hope to be someone that my students remember when they continue to learn about the importance of diversity and inclusivity.

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Welcome!

Hello! I hope now you have an idea of how my classroom will be and how I will include your students. I am excited for this chapter and eager to meet your student! If you ever need to reach out, my contact information is included in the syllabus that will be handed out during open house. If you have any questions feel free to send me an email, or if you see me out and about ask me then too, I am always happy to see my students/students' parents outside of school.

With this, I hope we have a wonderful year together and I am ecstatic to begin! J

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