Crystal Fletcher

Theoretical Statement

 

I believe that being an educator is one of the most rewarding professions a person can have. Teaching our future congressmen and women, CEO’s, and our future teachers is, personally, the most meaningful career. My primary goal in my classroom is for students to become the best they can be and to love learning. I also believe that learning does not only happen when inside of a classroom and during the hours of 8:30 am and 3:40 pm. I believe that learning occurs at nearly every waking moment.

 

My theoretical framework of teaching combines Constructivist, Cognitivist, and Behaviorist styles. I apply different styles throughout my daily routine depending on what skillset is being taught and what our daily plans consist of. I believe that by applying different styles of teaching in my classroom students are being engaged in an environment that is the most conducive to learning.

 

My teaching style falls mainly within the Constructivist approach. I believe when students are active participants in collaborative learning they gain a variety of skillsets. While students are engaging in collaborative learning they are able to not only learn from one another but also teach one another concurrently. In my classroom learners are actively involved and engaged. This being said, students are enhancing their communication and social skills while working collaboratively. They are working with one another towards a goal. I don't believe in giving busy work to students.

 

I believe in creating activities in which the students are having fun while they learn. If a student is given worksheet after worksheet and told to fill in the blanks or to circle the correct answer, I don't believe those students are getting the education they deserve. In my classroom, we don’t just read about volcanoes; we create one in class by mixing vinegar with baking soda and watching the reaction that takes place! In my classroom, we don’t just talk about visiting another country; we take a virtual field trip there and explore! Most importantly, we collaborate as a whole class on many different topics.

 

When I think about how students learn the best, I ask myself in what ways I learn the most. I think one of the most memorable ways of learning is by doing. I have been in many classrooms and when students are engaged in an activity they are more likely to remember that activity rather and are better able to comprehend the information they learned while being engaged. This is a key reason why I apply the Constructivist approach inside my classroom.

 

When assessing students within the Constructivist approach there is a multitude of ways I employ inside my classroom. My students will have knowledge of key vocabulary terms such as predict and analyze. Students will use these terms when completing a variety of tasks. Their comprehension and ability to use the terms is an important way in which they will be assessed. I do not expect students to answer any given question seconds after it is asked. I believe it is important to allow students time to pull from their schema.

 

I employ the Cognitive style of teaching within my classroom on many different occasions throughout the day. I believe it is imperative for students to take from their prior knowledge and incorporate it into learning. When students have prior knowledge about a range of subjects they are able to not only help themselves learn but are able to help others along the way. When students are able to use knowledge that is stored within their schema they are helping themselves create a greater environment that is conducive to learning. During reading, students are encouraged to make inferences along the way. While reading students are given sticky notes. When they come to a spot in the book that they are confused about, if they are unsure what a word means, or if they want make an inference about what will happen next they write it on a sticky note and place it on the spot in the book. At the end of reading time, they can go back to check whether or not their question was answered and also if their inference was correct. Learning is constantly taking place.

 

With a Cognitive style of teaching and learning, students learn best when the environment is learner-centered. I encourage independent thinking within my classroom. Students are always engaged in active learning centers where students are working together to discuss differing ideas.

 

One form of assessment within the Cognitive teaching approach is by problem solving. Students will be able to identify problems and weigh in on the pros and cons of different solutions. Students will also be engaged in critical thinking activities. Within these activities students will use their prior knowledge and connect and compare it with any new information they learned.

 

The main way in which I utilize a Behaviorist style approach is within my classroom management. I always make sure that the learning environment within our classroom is set up to promote learning. The way in which my tables are arranged may change depending on what our skillset of the week or day is. My students are engaged without going much off of track and they are aware of their jobs within our classroom. I encourage participation and we practice The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People at all times.

 

Inside the Behaviorist approach, students learn by their actions. If a student keeps acting in a way that is disruptive to his or her classmates, the teacher and other the other students in the classroom should know how to extinguish the behavior. If students and the teacher alike reward the behavior by way of acknowledgement, the behavior will likely become extinguished. The other students learn visually by viewing negative behaviors and having the mind frame that they do not want to do the same.

 

As previously stated, I use the Behaviorist approach within my classroom management. My classroom utilizes the PBIS system for behavior. If a student is constantly showing the same disruptive behavior I will look for any patterns that may have lead up to the disruptive behavior. If the behavior persists students will also write down any factors that occurred prior to their behavior as well as a way in which they can modify their behavior.