After
reviewing my Principles for Children’s Learning, I haven’t made a lot of
changes, but now they are more of a reminder of how children learn best. As I read through these principles that I
created about a year ago I was thinking about last year’s class and how I was
able to honor these principles. I’m now
also thinking about this year’s class and trying to figure out if these
principles are all applicable, attainable and important. For the most part, the principles themselves
haven’t changed, but the excitement that is created within myself while reading
these has increased dramatically. Last
year I felt the stress of achieving and honoring all of them while teaching two
½ day sections of kindergarten. This
year I am teaching just one class of all day/every day kindergarten and I feel
less stress when thinking about how I will honor these principles for this year’s
class.
I
feel that the Principles for Children’s Learning (below) that I created last
fall are important because with my teaching experience, these are best
practices on how children learn best. I
honor these principles by modeling them in my teaching.
Principles for Children’s Learning
Principle
1: Needs Assessment
● Children will know what they are learning and
why they are learning it.
● Children will try despite obstacles that they
may encounter.
● Children will be taught concepts through a
differentiated learning approach.
● Children will learn in at their own level and
when it is appropriate for them.
● Children will guide their own learning (to an
extent) through discovery and hands-on learning approaches.
● Children will create a “Hopes & Dreams” list
in which they will work towards an end goal.
Principle
2: Safety
● Children will feel safe, welcome and wanted in
the environment at all times.
● Children will feel safe to approach the teacher
and other staff members when they need help or have questions.
● Children will feel secure enough to take risks
and try things that may be new to them & try again if they fail the first
times.
● Children will feel a sense of affirmation when
sharing thoughts, opinions, feelings & ideas with others.
● Children will feel safe knowing that there is a
reason “why” they are learning a particular concept.
Principle
3: Sound Relationships
● Children &
teachers will have a mutual respect for one another.
● Children will
participate in whole group & small group discussions to encourage community
& healthy relationships.
● Children will
learn C.A.R.E.S Values (Cooperation, Assertion, Respect, Empathy, and Self- Control)
to enhance sound relationships.
● Children will
participate in making classroom rules (aka- “Hopes & Dreams”)
● Children will
feel safe knowing that their teacher & peers, respect affirm and listen carefully
to them.
Principle
4: Sequence and Reinforcement
● Children will
learn at a pace that is appropriate for their development.
● Children will
have their academic & social needs met by differentiation.
● Children will do
their work according to their learning level and be held accountable for their
learning.
● Children will
see a posted schedule of the day’s events each day.
● Children will
participate in differentiated Literacy Work Stations as a means for understanding
and comprehension of taught concepts.
Principle
5: Praxis
● Children will
try new skills and apply them to their daily work.
● Children will
reflect on the skill that they are currently working on and will be held accountable.
● Children will
practice what they have learned by playing/working at various Literacy
Work Stations.
● Children will apply concepts and skills to their
daily work.
● Children will
have learning materials and learning tasks in an appropriate sequence and at an
adequate pace.
Principle
6: Respect for Learners
● Children will
help decide their path of learning.
● Children will
help make decisions on how they learn according and what they will learn about
(tactile, kinesthetic, etc.)
● Children will
have a choice of varied learning activities at each Literacy Work Station.
(Differentiation)
Principle
7: Ideas, Feelings & Actions
● Children will be able to express their ideas
freely.
● Children will be able to express their feelings
freely.
● Children will be able to move about and meet
their own needs when appropriate.
Principle
8: Immediacy
● Children’s learning will be reinforced when
appropriate.
● Children will get feedback in an appropriate
time manner.
Principle
9: Clear Roles
● Children will know what their role is as a learner
& community member in the classroom.
● Children will be teachers as learners and
learners as teachers.
Principle
10: Teamwork
● Children will learn skills associated with
teamwork.
● Children will be encouraged to work with peers
that they get along with (and don’t always get along with-to learn this
concept.)
● Children will be respectful to their peers and
adults.
● Children will learn at Literacy Work Stations,
Small-group & Whole-group times all while showing teamwork and being
included.
● Children will work together in a safe manner.
Principle
11: Engagement
● Children will be
actively engaged in their learning.
● Children will
learn with and from one another.
● Children will be
on-task while they are in the learning environment.
Principle
12: Accountability
● Children will be
held accountable for their learning by providing good work.
● Children will be
held accountable for their actions and words -appropriateness is a must!
Principle
13: Enjoyment
● Children will enjoy participating &
contributing in the classroom.
● Children will enjoy coming to school and being
part of a caring classroom community member.
● Children will enjoy learning new concepts.
● Children will enjoy meeting new people and
learning about their background & experiences.
Principle
14: Positive Reinforcement
● Children will be
given verbal positive reinforcement when they are performing well.
● Children will have an internal feeling that they
are a part of a caring classroom environment.
