Axioms to Guide My Teaching

Janet KuopusFall 2008 – ED311/316

My Positive Learning Story

Hiking with a Friend

• She encouraged me• When it seemed I couldn’t go anymore

She believed in me• She had the patience

and the time for me

My Negative Learning Story

Growing Up With Six Brothers and One Sister who Loved Sports

• I always failed• Very discouraging

• No patience to teach me• I didn’t have the interest

• My talents were not in sports

My Axioms

1. If a child can't learn the way we teach, maybe we should teach the way they learn.

2. Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow. ~Plato

3. The good teacher discovers the natural gifts of his pupils and liberates them. ~Stephen Neil

Theme #1:

• Quit playing sports altogether• Never wanted to try anything with anybody

Respect for the Learner

Theme #2:

• I played flute/piano• Siblings played sports

Not Every Child will Have the Same Talents

Theories Behind My Axioms

• Each child will have their own ideas based on their own experiences with environment – especially from home

CognitiveTheories

Socio-CulturalTheories

• Similar to previous

• Talents can be based on culture

• Each child may learn differently depending on their own culture

Relationships with others are the key to learning

NaturalisticTheories

Tompkins Principle #1:

Effective Teachers Understand How Children Learn

My Summary

• I will Respect each child in my classroom

• I will Encourage each and every child in my classroom no matter how long it might take one to accomplish the task.

Each Child is Special No Matter What Talents They Might Have.