PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
Our schools should engage students to become creative, critical thinkers who are able to use their talents to make the world a better place. I believe that school should be the first step in enabling children to become self-actualized adults.
To become self-actualized people, children must first feel that their basic needs are met, they are connected to others, they are respected and recognized for their contributions, and that they are free to pursue their talents and interests.
My classroom is a space that helps to foster children’s connections to others by creating an environment that promotes social and emotional growth. Free play and cooperative activities/projects are a part of every day. Children have time for self-directed play. Singing, movement, and art are integrated into our lessons. Students learn about math and science through hands on experiences. I create a relaxed, supportive, and joyful environment that enables children to feel at ease. Learners feel that they are able to take risks and try new things – which promotes development and growth.
Classroom EnvironmENT:
Bulletin Board of Student Work
Holiday Bulletin Board with reindeer created by students.
Classroom Environment:
Student Storage
Birthday Board, Shapes/Colors Board, Cubbies
Classroom EnvironmENT:
Bulletin Board of Student Work
Spring Bulletin Board featuring shared writing by students.
Classroom environment:
Dramatic Play Center
Habitats - Pond. Students can catch a fish or find shapes in the pond.
Home base
Daily Schedule, Math Manipulatives, Folder Bins
in the classroom
Reading "Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?" by Bill Martin Jr. and illustrated by Eric Carle.
in the classroom
Habitats - Ocean. Multisensory lesson. Students uses their senses to learn about the ocean, feeling sea water.
in the CLASSROOM
Lining up for the Turkey Trot for Thanksgiving assembly.
in the classroom
Having a ball at Field Day!
in the classroom
Maps and Globes Unit - Using the SMART Board
Rhame Elementary School
in the classroom
100th Day of School (I'm in the wig and glasses!)
Lawrence #4 School - UPK 2023
(Image from Lawrence School District website.)
The three little pigs house construction
After reading and discussing The Three Little Pigs, students were asked to create a house that could withstand the huffing and puffing from the wolf. This project was process art focused, students were given a variety of materials and a concept, but they made it all their own, based on their ideas of what a house should look like and the materials they should use.
This student used popsicle sticks and red construction paper to simulate wood framing and bricks along with green marker for grass. Actual sticks from trees, cut pieces of cardboard, crayons, toothpicks and other materials were also available.
my number book
Students were asked to create a number book as a part of the Unit 1 Module of the Eureka Math/Engage NY curriculum. The unit focused on counting from 1-5. Students wrote the numbers and drew pictures for each number.
In this sample, the student drew three girls in her family and wrote the number 3. She has three girls in her family (herself, her sister and her mother) and demonstrates an understanding of the value of the number three. At this point in the school year, we were working on the English Language Arts units "About Me" and "Families," this child was bringing together our math and English work in her drawing.
Polar bear project
Students learned about polar bears during our unit about animals. For this project, they were given cotton balls and white paint to create the bears. They practiced fine motor skills, identifying body parts, and drawing/painting shapes.
Habitat unit assessment
This whole group, summative assessment was presented as a game where students were challenged to determine if the plant, animal or structure belonged in the farm, desert, or ocean habitat.
Each student participated in this engaging assessment and they were excited to show what they had learned during the unit.
The assessment was done using Engage NY image cards.
SHAPES UNIT
Students became pizza chefs for the day. Using the shapes they'd learned about: triangles, rectangles, circles, and squares, our chefs created colorful slices with their choices of toppings! Using a food that most students were familiar with and enjoy helped make this a fun and engaging lesson!