Pedagogy

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 


 
Teachers know the ways learning takes place, use a variety of methods, are expert communicators, have strong technology skills, plan instruction that is appropriate, use a variety of tools, teach critical thinking and problem solving skills, help students develop skills of teamwork, leadership, and cooperation, and instill a love of learning.
- Wake Forest University's Department of Education conceptual framework

Pedagogy simply means the way in which teaching takes place. The NCPTS dictate that teachers facilitate learning for their students and knowing a variety of instructional strategies vital for reaching all students. I must know the ways in which learning takes place according to the age level and development of my students to plan instruction appropriately. Employing the theory of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) through presenting content in multiple ways allows students with different learning styles and needs to grasp the information on a deeper level. Technology is the primary means in which I will effectively implement this strategy. Computers and other devices have made multiple representations of information incredibly simple as well as creating multiple opportunities for engaging students. In accordance with a variety of teaching methods, varying forms of assessment must occur as well. Pencil-to-paper tests is one traditional form of assessing students but many more meaningful strategies exist. Book jackets, dioramas, posters, poems, dramatizations, podcasts, drawings, and student self-assessment are all ways I will use to evaluate students knowledge and progress. Assignments such as these give students the opportunity to creatively show what they have learned in addition to working collaboratively with one another.

Lesson Description
A lesson I designed for a typical fifth grade classroom about immigration.

This is a (very fun and engaging) lesson I co-taught in a third grade AG classroom the spring of my junior year. To teach the lesson be sure to download the following:
Extra Cargo List
Game Cards
Assessment Handout

This another lesson I taught with a partner in a third grade classroom. The lesson was a sucess! Be sure to also download the Bee-Free Backyard BBQ activity sheet to teach the lesson.
This lesson is an extention of the fifth grade Social Studies lesson. Students take a deeper look into the topic of immigration in this web exploration.