In addition to teaching the essentials, it is my task as a professional in the discipline of

education to instruct children with a core belief that they are a direct result of their ecology. My

instruction will fall within the concentric layers of their environment to make the essentials

accessible and simultaneously show them how to build and maintain a healthy relationship with

that environment. This will be done by cooperative/small-group work, student-leading,

teacher/student relationships, project-based learning, and constructive social inquiry.

It is important that I mention the expectations I place on myself before describing those

set for my students. The success and outcomes of my class require my organization, planning,

and exemplary conduct. Classroom routine as well as the room itself will be dependable and

have clear systems for student needs. These needs include things like morning meetings,

un-finished/absent work folders, daily schedules, and visual references. When I plan my lessons,

I will integrate “The Engineering Design Process.” This will invite students to practice

reflection, problem-solving, cooperation, and adaptability. To help students with self-direction

and to make their education accessible, I will provide frequent feedback individually as well as

during class instruction. Further, I will conduct a variety of informal and formal assessments to

receive feedback from students as well. I will demonstrate a favorable conduct that students can

model after at school and at home. This is where teacher/student relationships will be most

important. By taking the time to get to know each other, a mutual understanding and respect can

be established thereby creating a meaningful code of conduct. Above all, I will exemplify my

love for learning in hopes that they will also grow to love learning.

In the beginning of the year, the classroom will be more teacher-centered while students

learn expectations and routines. To reinforce a cooperative environment, class points will be

given instead of individually. Ideal behavior will be rewarded with a point while any other
behavior rewards me with a point. Towards the end of the year, I hope to have a student-led

classroom. To kickstart this approach, each student will be assigned a classroom job during the

first week of school. Throughout the year, students will be able to participate in voting for

activities, assignments, and rewards. For example, when all students have reached a goal

together, they may give ideas for a class reward and then vote for a reward. For curriculum,

individual goals will be chosen by the student if it is reasonable. Students will also make a

contract with themselves of ways they believe will help them achieve that goal. This will help

them practice personal-reflection and adaptability and encourage them to take control of their

learning.

As a general theme, students will participate in a lot of project-based-learning. In this

way, students will be able to “do” and experience curriculum. Not only do projects cater to

multiple intelligences, but they also allow for subjects to converge and become relatable. For

example, students may examine issues in their community and then come up with solutions.

Math, science, research skills, and social studies come together and ask students to interact with

real issues that could or do affect them. To further environmental interaction, Students will also

have a “Current Event” assigned to them each week. They will find something in the news, take

short notes on it, and present to the rest of the class what they found. To broaden students’

environment to beyond their immediate community, each class will participate in a pen-pal

project. Students will engage in some correspondence with another student somewhere in the

world to share perspectives, thoughts, differences, and similarities!

Students in my class will learn the essentials and beyond in the most meaningful way that

I can plan to instruct. Each year, I will exercise my own reflection on planning, organization, and

personal growth to ensure the best impact and student experience.