James Coleman
Entry 1
One of the key factors in supporting our students in their progress is to recognize and understand where they are in their emotional and academic development. My studies at K-state have better prepared me to do this. In Human Growth and Development, I learned how a person physically and emotionally grows from birth to death. This knowledge was built upon when I entered Educational Psychology. In this class, I began to understand how the brain specifically develops, as well as how to best understand the student learner. Furthering these concepts, my music education classes have shown me the pedagogical practices that I will use to assist my students' academic, emotional, and physical development allowing them to be as successful as possible. These classes have allowed me to really gain an understanding of what young learners need in order to be successful as well as how I can alter my teaching depending on what my students need to learn.
On a more practical note though, no kid fits a definition written in a text book. Every child is a unique individual, and their path to a prosperous future may look very different from their peer sitting right next to them. Throughout my student teaching semester, I have had a chance to work with a large number of students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. I have had a full semester of watching these students show up every day, and every day is a different battle. Family, friends, personal interests, health, and a myriad of activities and other things flood the lives of these students. This causes ups and downs in their performance as a student, as well as their overall happiness as a human. I believe that as a teacher, it is my job to be a resource to my students for anything that they bring to the table, understand where they are coming from, and then formulate my teaching to cater to each and every individual that comes into my classroom. Then, when all is said and done, the goal is that these students will morph into young adults with all of the tools necessary to take on the world ahead of them.
On a more practical note though, no kid fits a definition written in a text book. Every child is a unique individual, and their path to a prosperous future may look very different from their peer sitting right next to them. Throughout my student teaching semester, I have had a chance to work with a large number of students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. I have had a full semester of watching these students show up every day, and every day is a different battle. Family, friends, personal interests, health, and a myriad of activities and other things flood the lives of these students. This causes ups and downs in their performance as a student, as well as their overall happiness as a human. I believe that as a teacher, it is my job to be a resource to my students for anything that they bring to the table, understand where they are coming from, and then formulate my teaching to cater to each and every individual that comes into my classroom. Then, when all is said and done, the goal is that these students will morph into young adults with all of the tools necessary to take on the world ahead of them.
Artifact #1
This is an example year long curriculum outline I completed, showing a wide spread of activities and lessons that can be tweaked to reach the students of any possible future classroom of mine.
long_term_curriculum_planning.docx | |
File Size: | 29 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Artifact #2
This is a function chorale I wrote for use in my classroom. It is based on a popular tune that a student of any age can connect to.
function_chorale.docx | |
File Size: | 12 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Artifact #3
This is a 3rd/4th grade rhythm lesson I taught during my student teaching, which worked out extremely well with the students.
3rd_4th_rhythm_practice_lesson_4_17_19.docx | |
File Size: | 16 kb |
File Type: | docx |