Postcards of the Mind

Class 2- May 10th, 2012

                                                                 
        

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Article 1: "Curriculum as Conversation" by Andy Manning

Issue: Explorative Classroom

Paraphrase: Classrooms need to be places where kids get to answer their own questions.

Personal Thoughts:

I feel that classrooms definitely need to be places where there is constant problem solving and exploration. I think that learning is not taking place unless there is interaction and conversation between peers and discovery of own answers. Students need to be allowed to be curious so that they can answer their own questions.

           

In-Class Discussion:

- “Children do not learn differently, they learn different things”

- Kids learn a variety of different things because of their prior knowledge and background

-No one learns by asking someone else’s question

-How can kids learn from the inquiry method when the inquiry comes from the teacher?

-A Key part of school is socialization

- Don’t underestimate the power of one and the difference you can make (Mosquito in a small tent J)

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Article 2: "My Pedagogic Creed" by John Dewey

Issue: Simplified Social Life

Paraphrase: Schools should simplify existing social life to an embryonic form.

Personal Thoughts:

            I thought that this quote was odd. I disagree with the idea that schools need to simplify the social aspect of learning. Students learn from collaboration and I believe that more collaboration gives students a view on different perspectives and ideas.

In-Class Discussion:

-It is good to reflect on ourselves as teachers but we need to be forever learners as well.

-Schools must represent present life (home, neighborhood, playground)

-We need to teach our students to be caring individuals and good citizens

-Live in the moment, don’t always be preparing

Article 3: "Creating Curriculum (Foreword & Introduction)" by Kath Short 

Issue: The Word “Curriculum”

Paraphrase: There are as many different definitions as there are educators.

Personal Thoughts:

The definition of curriculum varies according to who is speaking. I feel that curriculum is more than just the NL Curriculum Guides, it is a teacher’s day to day lessons and activities that students are involved in. The curriculum guide is just that, a guide. We have to use the outcomes given as a starting point and after getting to know our students, we can then adapt our activities and curriculum to best suit them.

In-Class Discussion:

-Students guide the curriculum

-Impacted by our own beliefs (we need to be open-minded teachers)

-When creating curriculum, the children need to be the big focus