I believe in hands-on learning and finding the way that my students learn best.  This has meant that my teaching has changed significantly every year as I have had vast differences in needs.  My students know that I believe that fair and equal are NOT the same, and we spend a great deal of time discussing this and revisiting it throughout the year.  I will work my hardest to ensure that every student gets what he or she needs.  I believe in always asking questions and encouraging students to try their best.  I don't expect perfection, but I do expect them to give their best effort. When a child presents me with something that will work better for him or her as an individual, I will work to integrate that into my routine. If I am presented with a challenge that hasn't yet been solved for a child, I will work to find a solution that will help the child find greater success in school.

 

I believe we are on a journey together, learning from each other every single day, and I consider myself to be a life-long learner.

 

In my own classroom, I place the most emphasis on English Language Arts (ELA- reading, writing, spelling) and Math.  I believe that these are the foundation to all learning.  Many of my students are able to express themselves best with hands-on activities and particularly enjoy Science and Social Studies, so I try to incorporate those as much as is possible. I have been working with a half-year focus on Social Studies and a half-year focus on Science for the past few years and that seems to work well for me.

 

I use the Leveled Literacy Instruction program to help students progress through reading levels as described and designed by Fountas and Pinnell. This is a research-based system that focuses on the guided reading model and encourages students to progress quickly through focus on very specific skills.  I also use Words Their Way, which is  spelling program based on learning patterns to spelling words. In Math this year, I am exploring the use of Modules combined with Focus Math, TouchMath, and the Math Intervention piece of our Pearson series to help differentiate instruction for my students.