ED039: Learning & Curriculum in the Elementary School

1. ED039: Learning & Curriculum in the Elementary School Dr. Amy H. Ryan Boston College Lynch School of Education

2. Today’s Agenda • Introductions • What makes a good teacher? • Five Professional Commitments • Questions to Guide Future Work – Reflection on the Commitments • What is the Role of Reflection? • The Rewards and Demands of Teaching • What Should Teachers Know and Be Able to Do? • Standards • Overview of Syllabus/Participant Information Sheets

3. What Makes a Good Teacher? Collaborative Learning Activity

4. Elements of Good Teaching • You will be organized into small groups. • First, you will independently read a letter from a former student to a teacher. • Afterwards, you will collaborate with your peers to identify the elements good teaching. • Document your thoughts and ideas on the accompanying poster paper. • At the end of the brainstorming session, you will share your ideas with the larger class. • Please choose one person from the team to present to the class. For use with Because Teaching Matters - 2009 - John Wiley & Sons

5. Professional Commitments

6. Five Professional Commitments • Learning from multiple sources of knowledge throughout your career: • Teachers never finish learning • Learn from students and other teachers • Attend professional development

7. Five Professional Commitments • Learning from multiple sources of knowledge throughout your career • Using the curriculum responsibly • Not a static set of documents • Teachers must make the curriculum work for their students

8. Five Professional Commitments • Learning from multiple sources of knowledge throughout your career • Using the curriculum responsibly • Crossing your own familiar borders to embrace diversity • Learn about cultures/backgrounds of the students you teach • All students should feel welcome/safe in your classroom

9. Five Professional Commitments • Learning from multiple sources of knowledge throughout your career • Using the curriculum responsibly • Crossing your own familiar borders to embrace diversity • Meeting the needs of individual students in the context of the classroom and the school • Differentiate instruction • Engage all types of learners

10. Five Professional Commitments • Learning from multiple sources of knowledge throughout your career • Using the curriculum responsibly • Crossing your own familiar borders to embrace diversity • Meeting the needs of individual students in the context of the classroom and the school • Contributing actively to the profession • What kind of teacher will you be? • Benefits of collaboration and active growth in the profession

11. Reflection Take a few moments to reflect on highlighted commitments. On the provided handout, write two questions that emerged about each commitment. Be sure to write your name at the top.

12. What is the role of reflection? “We live and we learn” versus “We live and we learn… but mostly we just live.”

13. Role of Reflection in Teaching • Effective teachers do not do the same thing every year • Effective teachers ask questions • How will you help students who are struggling? • How will you keep students engaged? • “It is the action teachers take as a result of their reflection and inquiry that is the link to being a real professional “(Pugach, 2009, p. 8). For use with Because Teaching Matters - 2009 - John Wiley & Sons

14. The Rewards & Demands of Teaching

15. The Rewards & Demands of Teaching • Teaching is a misunderstood profession • Many naive views of teaching • Think about the following statements: • “All teachers do is get up in front of the room and talk or read out of a book.” • “Teachers don’t have to work real hours…you are usually done by 3 pm.” • “Teaching is easy because you get the summers off!” For use with Because Teaching Matters - 2009 - John Wiley & Sons

16. Brainstorming: Rewards vs. Demands • With a peer, share your ideas about the rewards and demands of teaching. • Afterwards, write down the salient ideas on the provided post-it notes: • Use the Blue post-it notes for the Rewards • Use the color Pink post-it notes for the Demands • Post the notes on the appropriate poster at the front of the room and contribute to a web of ideas about the reward & demands of teaching. For use with Because Teaching Matters - 2009 - John Wiley & Sons

17. What Are the Rewards of Teaching? • Being with young people every day • Watching your students grow and learn • “Light-bulb” moments • Empowering students • Being an immeasurable influence For use with Because Teaching Matters - 2009 - John Wiley & Sons

18. What Are the Demands of Teaching? • Planning motivating and engaging lessons • Must develop solid classroom environment • Multitasking • Job performance depends on students • Keeping up with federal mandates • Meeting needs of every child For use with Because Teaching Matters - 2009 - John Wiley & Sons

19. What Should Teachers Know and Be Able to Do?

21. PPA+ = Pre-Service Performance Assessment • The PPA+ performance was designed to help pre-service teachers demonstrate, supported by evidence, their competence and ability to meet the teaching standards as defined by the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education and BC. • It is composed of seven standards; the Boston College amendments are in italics. • A. Plans Curriculum and Instruction • B. Delivers Effective Instruction • C. Manages Classroom Climate • D. Promotes Equity and Social Justice • E. Meets Professional Responsibilities • F. Assesses and Promotes Pupil Learning • G. Demonstrates an Inquiry Stance in Daily Practice

22. Course Overview & Information Sheet

23. Reminder for Next Week: 1st Assignment is Due