Sample Writing Lesson
It is important to me to make my lessons interactive for my students. I began these lessons on the SMARTBoard each day, where I would have my class brainstorm together before setting out to practice and work on their own. I learned to include everyone in the practice process before expecting them the perform the skills alone.
Showcase
Perhaps one of the most rewarding pieces of my graduate program was having the opportunity to work through student case study projects. Using different literacy practices, assessments, and creating individualized lesson plans, I was able to put knowledge to practice and work with these students to gain important literacy skills that they had previously been struggling in.
Developing Literacy
On this page, you will find a collection of work completed throughout my Master of Arts in Education program at Michigan State University. This showcase highlights pieces demonstrating learning experiences, new knowledge, and personal growth, divided into three categories: Developing Literacy, Student Psychology, and Educational Inquiry. To view a complete piece of work within a topic, click on the coordinating image, or the view button.
Media Literacy
We have access to countless forms of media daily. Whether aware of it or not, media gains power over us. It influences the way we think and talk. It can affect the decisions we make and the people we look up to. As a teacher, I learned I can help to make our students aware and take control of this power.
Enhanced Alphabetic Knowledge
-Case Study-
In a series of ten lessons, I worked one-on-one with a junior kindergarten student struggling with his alphabet knowledge. Following the Enhanced Alphabetic
Knowledge (EAK) initiative, Cash began to develop a strong foundation for letter-sound knowledge. I learned how to follow and p incorporate EAK plans for beginning or struggling readers.
Student Psychology
As part of my master's program, I have had the opportunity to study psychological factors that students bring with them into the classroom. Sometimes these present themselves as behavior concerns, but they also include topics such as motivation as well. It is important to recognize these pieces of our students so that we are able to work with them in ways that will help them find success.
Motivation - Case Study
Some students are intrinsically motivated in the classroom, but many are not! I have learned that part of my responsibility as a teacher is to recognize each child and find a way to reach them and teach them so that they are finding interest and success where they had not before.
Behavior - Case Study
Behavior issues can present themselves in many ways and in many different forms. The behavior present in this case study is a small one, but also one that is encountered often - off-task behavior. In taking time to recognize behavior patterns, I learned to create a strategy plan to change the target behavior.
Educational Inquiry
"Unity in Growth"
Recognition of Philosophies
Although difficult, if we are able to consider views that differ from our own, we may find some value in the opposition. I have learned that in considering the views of others, my own philosophies evolve and become more well-rounded as a result.
Throughout my graduate program, I have been encouraged to think about many questions involving education. Sometimes we as educators get caught up in the "job", and we forget to ask ourselves why we do the things we do. We must take a moment to consider things such as the history of educational practices and theories, study how one's culture influences their role as a student, and reflect on our own roles as both teachers and students, as well as the potential for life-long learning.
Technologically Dependent
Biographical Reflection
Each of my students come into the classroom with different sets of background knowledge, experiences, and ways of life. In taking time to learn about our students and these differences, I am often able to better understand things such as how a child thinks or why they respond to situations the way they do.
Culture Study
In many ways, I often feel behind my students in the way of technology. Although I am always excited to learn new ways to work with and incorporate technologies into my classroom, I have learned to and strive to find a balance so that students are not strictly reliant.
Image Attribution
App screen: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1063277
All other images on this page courtesy of Wix free images.