My name is Laura and I have just started the Elementary Education Post Degree Professional Program (PDPP) at the University of Victoria. This blog is part of a reflective learning assignment in an English Language Arts class. It is an avenue for us, as pre-teachers, to actively acknowledge our ideas regarding teaching and track our thought-evolution throughout our semester.
A little bit about me:
I was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, where the majority of my family still lives. I have a younger brother who is married with two kids, who are too cute for words! I attended the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, where I received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2010. It was towards the end of my degree that I realized I wanted to become a teacher. After graduating I moved to Victoria to take the prerequisite classes I needed for the PDPP program. During my year taking these classes, I tutored a third grade student and a seventh grade student, which confirmed my desire and personal ability to become a teacher. Now that I have begun my Educational journey to becoming an Elementary School teacher, I am filled with a mixture of nervous excitement and I can not wait to begin this career!
One of the questions we have been asked to answer is what we imagine an English Language Arts class will look like in an Elementary classroom. For this blog I will be focusing on Grade 1 rather than all Elementary grades. Here are my thoughts regarding this question:
With the evolution in technology and learning, English Language Arts in an Elementary classroom will probably only loosely resemble the memory I have from my childhood. I remember reading, individually and in a group, as well as learning to write more proficiently. I do not recall learning from either an overhead or a projector; instead it was mostly handouts and chalkboards. The current classroom will have more incorporation of technology to facilitate learning. Today's children have access to a vast number of technology including laptops and smart phones, which keep them constantly connected with mass media and social networks.
Today's classroom will be diverse in a number of different ways. There will be cultural diversity in ethnicity, religion, and overall beliefs. There will be family diversity, with children from different family types and socioeconomic statuses. Children will also be diverse in their learning styles and abilities. Lastly, the teaching methods used will also be diverse with traditional modes and modern modes being used together to create a more inviting, engaging atmosphere.
That is it for this post. Until next time!
- Laura.
