Amanda



I believe in creating a community within the classroom. My philosophy of education is rooted in the individuals we are teaching, not the group of students as a whole. I think one of the most important responsibilites a teacher has is to get to know his or her students. Who are these individuals gathered in our classroom? What affects them? How can we bridge the gap between the subject material we are teaching, and the lives our students live outside the classroom?
 * __ Philosophy of Education __**

I think so often, the norm for students is to attend school, go through the steps, and then leave the school environment and put aside everything they have just engaged in. There is such an evident disconnect between the roles our students assume in the classroom, and the lives they go on to lead outside of the classroom.

When I reflect on my own education, the classes or teachers I tend to remember most vividly are the ones that made an effort to connect with me as a person, not just another student in a desk. I think first and foremost, the atmosphere within the classroom has to be inviting. Something as simple as arranging the desks in a circle, in order to foster conversation, instead of in lines and rows, can make a huge difference in learning. If our students feel like they are a part of a community instead of feeling like it is "every man for himself", it might encourage them to engage in the lesson.

Fostering relationships between the students is very important, as well as fostering a healthy relationship between the teacher and the students. My philosophy is that the teacher should be a facilitator, not a lecturer. Instead of holding all the power, the teacher should want to encourage the students to take some of the power themselves; and in turn take initiative within their own learning.

In approaching learning as a collaborative effort, a sense of agency can be created in our students. This sense of agency can be supported by how we teach our lessons. Instead of memorization and fact regurgitation, we should instead be focusing on how the subject material can be connected to the lives and worlds of our students. If we can connect the material to the world in which our students live in, we are making it possible for them to see it through their own eyes, and hopefully make connections to the material that extend past the classroom.


 * Framework: **
 * My framework’s image is that of a pyramid. I chose this image, because my philosophy revolves around the classroom environment being the foundation of positive learning. I believe that if there is a healthy classroom environment, then all other aspects of learning can then build off from there. While I see all aspects included in this pyramid as vital, I also feel that with an environment that fosters learning, growth and community – anything is possible. **

1) At the bottom of the pyramid lies **Classroom Environment**. Classroom environment is on the bottom of the pyramid because as I have stated above, it provides the foundation for the other categories. Without a strong classroom environment, one that fosters learning and development, there is no chance at achieving positive outcomes. A positive classroom environment allows students to feel open to contributing, and comfortable in their learning setting. Subcategories of Classroom Environment: The arrangement of seats, development of strong relationships between students, strong relationship between student and teacher, an atmosphere of contribution and acceptance, strong expectations of respect and acknowledgement, zero tolerance for mockery or rude comments.
 * My pyramid is broken into 6 categories, each one containing their own subcategories as well:**

Connection to Class Concepts: Flexible learning goals Awareness of high needs students

An example of a classroom "Bill of Rights" that outlines the rules, while also serving as a collaboration activity between the teacher and students:



2) Right above Classroom Environment is the category of **Community of Learners.** It has been stated by many educational theorists that learning is a social act. I believe this is true, and that for any classroom setting to be successful, we must work together towards a common goal. Developing a community within a classroom allows our students to feel like they are a part of something. In addition, they will also feel that they have more than one person to refer to for aid or guidance. A community is a group of people that help each other in the process of growing and development, and I think this is a vital aspect of successful learning. Subcategories of Community of Learners: group based activities, constant classroom discussion, strong relationships between peers.

Connection to Class Concepts: Vygotsky's Sociocultural Perspective, more specifically his thoughts on co-constructed knowledge, the zone of proximal development, social interactions, and the role of adults and peers in learning.



3) Next to the Community of Learners is the category of **Embodied Learning.** Embodied learning refers to the idea of taking on the subject of learning through physical modes. For example, if we are studying the plays of Shakespeare, the students could be asked to act out the play, each representing a different character. By assuming the role of what they are studying, they connect the material to themselves. Subcategories of Embodied Learning: Multimodal learning.

Connection to Class Concepts: Shared Inquiry Discussion Rubric Differentiated Learning

Video on Embodied Learning:

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4) The next two categories go hand in hand. **The acquisition and integration of knowledge** refers to the learning of the material. I believe there are many different ways of teaching something, and in fact we should employ a variety of methods in order to reach each individual student. Material should be presented clearly and students’ progress should be tracked carefully as they take in new material. Integrating the new information presented should ask students to consider their own prior knowledge and experience, and how it can be connected to the new material. Subcategories of Acquisition and integration of knowledge: Use of a variety of teaching methods, the importance of our students’ prior experiences and knowledge.

Connection to Class Concepts: Scaffolding Activities Graphic Organizers Task Analysis

5) From the previous category comes the one of **Demonstration and Reflection of Knowledge.** This category is how we determine that students are absorbing the information and learning the material. I think the way students are assessed is very important, and can help effectively show if positive learning is being accomplished. Subcategories of Demonstration and Reflection of Knowledge: Projects, Homework, Groupwork, Presentations, Exams, Oral Reports.

Connection to Class Concepts: Cognitive Apprenticeship Six facets of Understanding Qualitative Assessment

6) The last category is labeled **Positive Attitudes**. It is as the top of the pyramid, but I feel it is important to have present throughout all the categories. Without a positive outlook on learning, students will have trouble understanding why they need to learn anything at all. I firmly believe this positive outlook begins with the teacher, and then branches out to the students. If the teacher represents a happy and excited approach to learning, then the students will feel they can do the same. Subcategories of Positive Attitudes: Energetic and excited approach to learning, constant movement, inviting personality, motivation.

Connection to Class Concepts: Class Dojo Website Positive Reinforcement Equitable and Positive Interactions Flexible learning goals



My framework has been constantly evolving and changing as the semester has progressed. Engaging in class discussion helped to develop my subcategories, as well as allow me to see my original categories in a broader sense. I also talked with my groupmates in person, asking their opinion on my framework thus far. I used some of their ideas and suggestions in expanding my framework. Through the conversations I have had, I was able to develop the classroom environment as the basis and foundation for all my other categories. I included this in my write-up above.
 * MODIFICATIONS:**