Maharishi University Standards for Teacher Education
1. Learner Development: Students learn through the experience of making meaning out of the knowledge. In the many lessons I taught my goal was to not just give the knowledge but have students obtain it through problem solving, discussion, and hands on experiences. This can be seen in my Mayflower lesson plan located in the work sample. In this lesson students went through the steps of being presented a problem and discussing the problem.
2. Learner Differences: I believe every students has the right to learn no matter their background. Lessons that address different learning styles are what increase student engagement. As seen in my work sample I had lessons where student got to watch videos, work in small groups, work individually, and do hands on activities.
3. Learner Environments: In my class room I set high and clear expectations for all students so everyone has a fair chance to learn. By taking the time to get to know each individual student I soon develop a trusting relationship. This can be seen in my Classroom Management Plan where I I tell students about how I expect the rules to be followed form the minute they walk into the classroom.
4. Content Knowledge: I always made sure what I was teaching lined up with whatever standards applied. Additionally, sometimes the best content to teach doesn't come from the textbook, as an educator I have grown to be flexible and pull content related resources from other places. Each of my provided lesson plans in my work sample all include a corresponding common core standard. That is because the school I student taught at followed the common core.
5. Application of Content: I realize that sometimes your students need to hear the knowledge in some other way. For this reason I often use educational and informational videos. These videos give students a different perspective and help to make what they are learning more meaningful. In my "Measuring Liquids" lesson plan, students watched a Brain Pop video to help the learn about cups, quarts, pints, and gallons.
6. Assessment: Assessments come in many different forms. For better indicators of students success it's best to many different types of assessment. I have learned the value and practicality of formative assessments which can serve as daily feedback on what students learned. During my student teaching Daily Drills served as formative assessments. They provided me with a way to see if students were understanding foundational concepts.
7. Planning for Instruction: I have found it to be very useful keeping a binder of all the standards for the grade you are teaching. Then as you plan each unit or lessons in that unit you may have the standards to refer. This helps to keep all instructional planning in line with the standards.
8. Instructional Strategies: I love technology and so do kids! During my student teaching I had the chance to learn how to use SMART Response Clickers and then create a lesson where they could be used. Other strategies I use in the classroom are think-pair-share and whole brain learning.
9. Communication: In my classroom I have found non verbal cues to be an effective mode of communication and classroom management. Cues such as just making eye contact with the student, standing beside them, or getting their attention and pointing to the rules have all proved to be effective for me. I set and maintain high expectations for my students that are achievable by all. I take time to build trust in students by getting to know them. These standards and expectations can be viewed in my Classroom Management Plan under the rules section.
10. Consciousness-Based Education: In the classroom the focus is on the student and how they gain and work with knowledge. Therefor, each unit and lesson is organized in a way that presents the wholeness first, so students have understand the main idea and know what to look forward to. Then you can get into specific learning activities because students have an idea of what to expect. As seen in the lesson plans from my work sample I often started each unit or lesson with some sot of question. This got students thinking of the big ideas or wholeness.
11. Educational Innovation: Whole school initiatives are really great because they make use of the "family" it takes to raise a child. A summer reading initiative that I witnessed the beginning stages of involved the students, parents, and teachers in stirring up excitement about reading. This initiative called Hugo's Reading Revolution is presented in a show like format by Hugo, the mascot of the local NBA team. The excitement carried over into media classes where the school librarian helped find ways for students to get excited about reading.
12. Foundations: I understand that it is my responsibility as and educator in a school to know the rights of the students, parents, and myself as the teacher. Reading through and being able to back up decisions using the handbook I have seen to be a sign of professionalism. Additionally, leaning on the the administration whenever you need help or have questions, that is what they are there for.
13. Professional Learning and Reflective Practice: Its important to stay up to date on on new improvements and research in the field of education. This way you are using the best practices. One topic that I'm always looking for the latest research on using technology in the classroom. As seen in my blog and on my Pinterest kids are becoming more apt to use technology younger and younger, so as an educator I must keep up with the trend if its going to engage my students.
14. Collaboration: During my student teaching I was able to work a lot with the other teachers in the grade I was teaching. I learned to really value that time because we could swap resources, reflect, and plan together. As a grade level we each took one subject, planned it out, and put it on a google doc for the rest of the teachers to view. This was very helpful, because it took a lot of the weight off my shoulders when it came to planning. I could modify the lesson as needed, but for the most part the majority of the planning was already done.
2. Learner Differences: I believe every students has the right to learn no matter their background. Lessons that address different learning styles are what increase student engagement. As seen in my work sample I had lessons where student got to watch videos, work in small groups, work individually, and do hands on activities.
3. Learner Environments: In my class room I set high and clear expectations for all students so everyone has a fair chance to learn. By taking the time to get to know each individual student I soon develop a trusting relationship. This can be seen in my Classroom Management Plan where I I tell students about how I expect the rules to be followed form the minute they walk into the classroom.
4. Content Knowledge: I always made sure what I was teaching lined up with whatever standards applied. Additionally, sometimes the best content to teach doesn't come from the textbook, as an educator I have grown to be flexible and pull content related resources from other places. Each of my provided lesson plans in my work sample all include a corresponding common core standard. That is because the school I student taught at followed the common core.
5. Application of Content: I realize that sometimes your students need to hear the knowledge in some other way. For this reason I often use educational and informational videos. These videos give students a different perspective and help to make what they are learning more meaningful. In my "Measuring Liquids" lesson plan, students watched a Brain Pop video to help the learn about cups, quarts, pints, and gallons.
6. Assessment: Assessments come in many different forms. For better indicators of students success it's best to many different types of assessment. I have learned the value and practicality of formative assessments which can serve as daily feedback on what students learned. During my student teaching Daily Drills served as formative assessments. They provided me with a way to see if students were understanding foundational concepts.
7. Planning for Instruction: I have found it to be very useful keeping a binder of all the standards for the grade you are teaching. Then as you plan each unit or lessons in that unit you may have the standards to refer. This helps to keep all instructional planning in line with the standards.
8. Instructional Strategies: I love technology and so do kids! During my student teaching I had the chance to learn how to use SMART Response Clickers and then create a lesson where they could be used. Other strategies I use in the classroom are think-pair-share and whole brain learning.
9. Communication: In my classroom I have found non verbal cues to be an effective mode of communication and classroom management. Cues such as just making eye contact with the student, standing beside them, or getting their attention and pointing to the rules have all proved to be effective for me. I set and maintain high expectations for my students that are achievable by all. I take time to build trust in students by getting to know them. These standards and expectations can be viewed in my Classroom Management Plan under the rules section.
10. Consciousness-Based Education: In the classroom the focus is on the student and how they gain and work with knowledge. Therefor, each unit and lesson is organized in a way that presents the wholeness first, so students have understand the main idea and know what to look forward to. Then you can get into specific learning activities because students have an idea of what to expect. As seen in the lesson plans from my work sample I often started each unit or lesson with some sot of question. This got students thinking of the big ideas or wholeness.
11. Educational Innovation: Whole school initiatives are really great because they make use of the "family" it takes to raise a child. A summer reading initiative that I witnessed the beginning stages of involved the students, parents, and teachers in stirring up excitement about reading. This initiative called Hugo's Reading Revolution is presented in a show like format by Hugo, the mascot of the local NBA team. The excitement carried over into media classes where the school librarian helped find ways for students to get excited about reading.
12. Foundations: I understand that it is my responsibility as and educator in a school to know the rights of the students, parents, and myself as the teacher. Reading through and being able to back up decisions using the handbook I have seen to be a sign of professionalism. Additionally, leaning on the the administration whenever you need help or have questions, that is what they are there for.
13. Professional Learning and Reflective Practice: Its important to stay up to date on on new improvements and research in the field of education. This way you are using the best practices. One topic that I'm always looking for the latest research on using technology in the classroom. As seen in my blog and on my Pinterest kids are becoming more apt to use technology younger and younger, so as an educator I must keep up with the trend if its going to engage my students.
14. Collaboration: During my student teaching I was able to work a lot with the other teachers in the grade I was teaching. I learned to really value that time because we could swap resources, reflect, and plan together. As a grade level we each took one subject, planned it out, and put it on a google doc for the rest of the teachers to view. This was very helpful, because it took a lot of the weight off my shoulders when it came to planning. I could modify the lesson as needed, but for the most part the majority of the planning was already done.