WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY?

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

How does what we believe about …… what is real or the nature of existence or the

meaning of life…….Shape who we are as a Teacher?

How does what we believe about how knowledge is acquired

Shape our approach to teaching? In what way do our beliefs about what is

right and good and beautifulImpact the learning in our classroom?

PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER

Your beliefs and your own philosophy of education will influence all your activities in the classroom from how you teach, what you teach, how you manage your classroom, how you relate to students, parents, and colleagues, and how you conduct your professional life

So… do you see why this “stuff” is important to understand!!

WHAT IS THEORY OF EDUCATION?

If you were sitting in class right now I would have you take out a piece of paper and write down all your thoughts about what comes to your mind when you think about the question above.

So… take a minute or two and jot down your ideas!

What IS EDUCATIONAL THEORY? Can you think of any?

CAN YOU IDENTIFY…..

Think About It: Who was your best teacher

ever? What qualities and attributes

did this teacher posses? Are there any of those

qualities that you find you would exhibit in the classroom? What?

OK SO YOU JUST THOUGHT ABOUT IT!

THAT’S OK TOO DID YOU COME UP WITH SOME

IDEAS??

QUICK WRITE SOMETIMES CALLED FREE WRITING(A TEACHING STRATEGY)

Take Five Minutes and write freely withoutpicking your pencil up from the paper….

What do you believe about teaching?What do you believe about learning? Why

Some questions to help guide you…. You will need to do this and keep your paper for an

assignment.

KEEP WRITING! What do you believe about KIDS? What motivates YOU to learn? What outcomes do you expect from teaching? How will you run your classroom? What do you believe your role as an educator is? What will be the ultimate goal for your students?

What will you do in order to attain these goals? (teaching methods, classroom management)

Write Write Write… Five Minutes Only…..

YOUR ASSIGNMENTNow… It's time to put some organization to that writing. This will be a stepping stone to writing your own philosophy statement later. As you think about your ideas - imagine that you are sitting in an interview explaining ‘who you are as a teacher’ to the principal! How would you explain your belief?You would NOT blurt out “I am a realist” or “I am philosophically aligned with postmodernism” - So keep it 'real'.Use the notes that you have been taking during this “lecture” session!

K-W-H-L

KWHL graphic organizer will help you begin to organize your ideas

K - What you already know - based on the activities in this PPT

W - What supports your statement, or WHy

H - How will you implement it in the classroom

L - New ideas, thoughts, quotes or things to think about

THESIS STATEMENT

Develop an opening paragraph 1 - 3 Declarative Sentences Use ideas that you have listed on your

KWHL You might include a quote if that helps.

ALTERNATIVE ASSIGNMENT

You may choose to go ahead and write your entire Philosophy Statement at this time - but it is not required.

Directions are provided on the course site.

A rubric is also available

YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK THIS OUT

What Is Your Educational Philosophy? A Questionnaire

This is a multiple choice questionnaire posted by Patricia D. Jersen that helps to identify a preference.

In addition, you can download the Educational Philosophies Self Assessment – It can help you to discover your educational philosophy and theoretical orientation

SITES THAT MIGHT HELP!

The Statement for Teaching an Philosophy, Duquesne University Center for Teaching Excellence. This website includes five effective exercises to help you begin the writing process

Teaching Goals Inventory, by Thomas A. Angelo and K. Patricia Cross and their book Classroom Assessment Techniques. This “quiz” helps you to identify or create your teaching and learning goals.

Articulating your Philosophy of Teaching Statement, from the Center for Effective Teaching and Learning at the University of Texas at El Paso. Various exercises to guide someone in thinking about, articulating, and writing a statement of teaching philosophy

Teaching Perspectives Inventory, This survey can help you collect your thoughts and summarize your ideas about teaching and learning

Remember: These are only TOOLS to help you reflect and gain some basic

focus. You can either click on these links or find the links on the course site.

WHAT KIND OF TEACHER ARE YOU GOING TO BE?

KEEP IN MIND

When you Do get to the point where you will write your Philosophy Statement - Keep in mindMake sure that it is Well written, positive & professionalDescribe what you believe is the purpose of schooling – teaching – learning.What do you believe is most important when considering classroom environment/management?Write what you believe as your position – It is NOT a Philosophical rendition that is to be published in a Philosophical digest. KISS (keep it simple silly)Do some checking on the web – look at some examples