I loved Krissy Venosdale's post "If I Built A School." I have wanted to be a teacher for years but I have honestly never imagined what kind of school I would build if I were to build one. So reading her post really excited me and I was able to use my own imagination to create my own image of a school. I love how Venosdale is so descriptive and imaginative when she describes what kind of school she would build. As I read her post I felt as if I were walking through the halls of her imaginary school, with a tree house in the library with a big fake tree that contains lights, and an art room that looks more like a studio. I agree that curiosity is an extremely important part of learning. In Sugata Mitra's "Hole in the Wall" experiment I believe curiosity was the key for each of those students. I love the passion Mitra has for the underprivileged countries and wanting to observe and watch them learn by the use of technology. When he places a computer in an underprivileged country where the children do not speak much English at all and over a few months they teach themselves and others, it is then when we see how determined and how much curiosity such young children have.
What I Want My Students to Know
I want my students to know that it is okay to be wrong and that when they are wrong they should pick their head's up and try again. I want my students to know that everyone is different and that it is okay to be different. So many children get picked on for being unique and I don't think it's fair to them. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses and I will make it my responsibility as a teacher to make each and every one of my students feel important.
What I Want My Students to Be Able to Do
I want my students to be able to read fluently and accurately. I want them to be able to write well so that anyone reading their work can understand it. Along with reading and writing and all other aspects of learning I want my students to be able to work well with others and in groups. Working in groups is very important because it not only expands their minds to other student's ideas but it also develops character. I want to do science projects with my students more than once a year and I want to take field trips all throughout the year. I think field trips are a fun and creative way of learning.
What My Primary Way of Teaching Will Be
My primary way of teaching will be mainly using a smart-board, overhead, chalkboard, dry erase board or which ever my classroom offers. I believe technology is important in the classroom so I would love to have a smart-board though. Using these methods of teaching I plan to include videos, games, and hands-on learning activities to get the students excited about learning new things.
Tools I Will Use In My Classroom
As well as a smart-board and hands-on games for learning I want to also have signs in my classroom that refer to lessons or to rules that need to be followed. I want a bright classroom full of creativity so that my students enjoy coming to my class. I will also create a reading spot in my classroom for reading time. I want my students to have fun, but more importantly I want them to learn to the best of their ability.
The Role My Students Will Play In My Classroom
My students will play a very important role in my classroom. After all, I'm going to be a teacher because of each of them. I want all of my students to participate. My students will participate in the learning process by answering questions when called on, reading aloud, completing assignments in group activities, and by doing projects. I hope to be a teacher that each one of them can look up to.
