MOLLY
Elementary Education &
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) |
MOLLY
Elementary Education &
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) |
I have officially completed my first whole week at the International School of Siena! As I continue to get to know the students and how things operate in my classroom, I find myself struck by how meaningful the learning content is. Whether it be a homework assignment, math activity, or assessment, every lesson has been individualized and thoughtfully planned so that it addresses the language and subject-area goals, meets the students’ varying needs, and all the while engages and genuinely interests them.
On top of that, every subject - Math (or “Maths” as the adorably call it), Social Studies, Science and language - are all carefully aligned and linked to the Unity of Inquiry (UOI). Even the specials - gym, music, Italian (for both native and non-native speakers) - are all aligned with the UOI. It is mind blowing to witness the creative freedom and agency that both the teachers and the students have over curriculum planning. I can see how this culture of collaboration and inventiveness has had a positive impact on attitude and learning, both among the staff and the students. It is truly beautiful to be a part of. While I would consider myself a very creative person, I definitely find the autonomy at this school a bit intimidating, for up until now I have spent most of my student teaching experience learning to provide instruction with a more rigid and predetermined curriculum. Here, the planning is much more fluid, and leaves a lot of room for modification and adjustments according to the students’ needs. I am super excited for our upcoming UOI, which is about beliefs - both religious and non-religious. This week we will pre-assess the students on their knowledge of beliefs, and use that to begin exploring beliefs around the world and gathering their thoughts, questions, or “wonderings” as they call it in the International Baccalaureate (IB). Do I need to mention again how meaningful and engaging the learning content is?! In the upcoming weeks, I look forward to flexing my creative muscles and really going out of my comfort zone as a teacher.
2 Comments
Nancy Chicola
4/3/2019 04:13:34 pm
Molly,
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Julie Henry
4/11/2019 12:48:47 pm
I love hearing about the joyful approach to education that you are seeing and the amazing teacher autonomy. You will carry these memories with you throughout your career!
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AuthorWhile studying abroad in Europe as an undergrad, I became infected with an ailment that makes one eternally propelled to discover and explore cultures other than their own. Many call it the "travel bug," and fortunately for me it is incurable. Archives
May 2019
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