How will I help my students learn in my classroom (Pedagogy #5)

I think in my ideal classroom I would like to apply a bit of mindfulness but how to teach young minds that could be a challenge. Of course mindfulness means to be more aware of what you are doing this very moment. Mindfulness can help you acquire a more peaceful state of mind and in so doing help you handle stressful situations better. I would also like to improve my student’s social interactions with each other and also their academic performance I would most likely apply Vygotsky’s constructivism theory which will help with learning by allowing students to interact with each other and create rapport. I will be teaching natural and life sciences I want this to be an interactive process and not to be teacher centred. So occasionally I will flip the classroom around and let my students teach me what they have learned, hopefully this will also help boost my students confidence not only in my given subject but, also in themselves. I think I would also like one dream day classroom where students share their dreams, aspirations or something interesting that is happening in their lives. The main idea is that I would like my students to keep on dreaming and not get bogged down by mundane theory. As Albert Einstein said: “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” I can see how this can help my students.

Another consideration would be how to use educational resources effectively. I think letting my students keep in touch with each other as well as keeping the parents up to date can be a great tool. Would most likely use something like a WhatsApp group but, I will of course get the parents input first. Some parents might consider the WhatsApp group an annoyance. Using twitter would be the next best option it’s a bit less intrusive. Social interactions will be very important for my class and the way I intent to teach. Giving the quiet, shy student a voice will be very important to me as well. Not all students have the same background and helping everyone and not just a selected, elite group will be very important to me. A reward based system in my classroom would also be important don’t want my students to be corrected in a negative way but would like to give positive feedback. Some parents don’t have time at home for their kids and putting out fires is the only kind of attention that these kids get at home. So in conclusion applying the golden rule in my classroom do unto others as you would have done unto you.