That's Child's PlayNew blog post is up on VoicEd.ca called 'That's Child's Play". I discuss the importance of free play during a school day for young students (click on voicEd.ca to direct you to the website).
Here's an excerpt: "One thing to remember is that physical education is not a substitute for free-play. Phys Ed has rules and structure, whereas free-play only has the rules that the students come up with themselves. Phys Ed is great to release energy and get active, however it does not have the same effects as free-play does on the brain. When students engage in play, they are deciding what they want to do and how they want to do it; it is all a negotiation made by the students’ themselves- no rules are imposed by a teacher or educator." Don't forget to leave a comment! Twitter Follows: @KaralineVla @VoicEdcanada
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Why I Decided to Become a TeacherFor those who read my blogs, it has become a way to get to know the teacher behind the website. You are able to understand a bit of my teaching style, what I feel is important, and hopefully a way of learning new information. I created this website not only as a writing outlet, but also as an online journey into my teaching world. I feel that since you are reading my posts about teaching and education, it is important to understand why I decided to become a teacher. Being a teacher was not my first choice. In fact, I had been running from the idea of being a teacher for years. My mother would occasionally bring up the option of being a teacher from time to time, and I consistently turned it down. I had initially started out in Psychology in Cegep, which I still enjoy. However, I never quite felt like I fit into the program. I was great at it and it came easy to me, but just because something comes easy to you, doesn’t mean it’s for you. I got my undergrad in Human Relations, with a Minor in Linguistics. I really liked Human Relations; it involved a lot of teamwork and networking. We developed programs that helped others in need, and we learned about how to deal with interpersonal relationships and groups in different settings. A lot of these strategies helped me with classroom management and working with groups and coworkers. There was a period of time in which I wanted to become a Speech Language Pathologist, which is why I decided to add my Linguistics minor. I volunteered at the Montreal Fluency Centre and shadowed a speech therapist for a few months, and although I really enjoyed it, again, I didn’t quite feel like I fit in. The MFC was absolutely wonderful, and the SLP I followed was a kind and wonderful woman. I enjoyed working with children- that was one good realization I had made from my time being there. What really made my decision of becoming a teacher was working as an ESL and EL tutor at Kumon. I have to take a minute to boast about how amazing it was to work there. This will be my last summer with Kumon, and I have never been this sad to leave a job. The people I worked with were amazing; we became a small family in and out of work. As for the job itself, I fell in love with tutoring and teaching. I had been running away from the idea of being a teacher for so long, and now I found myself feeling like I had finally found where I belonged. I truly owe my teaching journey to Kumon and my little Kumon family. All of this led me to becoming a Teacher Candidate at the University of Ottawa. I wanted to be out in the teaching world as soon as possible, and with a renowned now 2-year program, I knew I would get the best education, and be able to teach in the real world sooner than later. I can remember vividly entering a classroom for orientation, and as soon as I sat down, thinking to myself, “this is exactly where I’m supposed to be”. My first year took off, and I was so busy that I barely saw the time go by. I started tutoring at Oxford Learning Centre, and this is where I began to realize my love for special education. I began working with students with a variety of special needs, and became invested and dedicated to their learning. My first year practicum went exceptionally well, and I woke up every morning eager and excited to teach. Being a teacher candidate, future teacher and tutor has been the most gratifying experience. I work with children and young adults every day to help them learn and succeed. You wear many different hats as a teacher; you are a mom, a counselor, a friend, an inspiration, and much more. What we teach our students throughout their educational journey is what they will continue to use for the rest of their lives. This can feel overwhelming and a little scary. Standing up in front of a classroom of little eyes all staring at you in awe, waiting for you to teach them something is terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time. I want to be the teacher that makes my students enthusiastic about learning. I want to create an environment where learning and being in school is fun, and where waking up in the morning just isn’t so bad. In all my educational experience and jobs, I have never felt more dedicated and devoted to a career, and making a difference in a students’ life. With less than a year left, I cannot wait to be an Ontario Certified Teacher, and be part of such a wonderful group of educators. I look forward to being part of a change in the world, and using my capabilities and knowledge to help others succeed and reach their full potential. I encourage you to think about how you can make a change with your capabilities and knowledge. One small gesture can make a big difference in someone else’s life. Don't forget to check our VoicEd.ca for other blog posts and podcasts. Twitter: @KaralineVla @VoicEdcanada The More You Know: AutismPreviously, I wrote a blog entry called "The More You Know: Down Syndrome". That blog was dedicated to debunking myths and assumptions about down syndrome. I have just written a blog post called "The More You Know: Autism on VoicEd.ca" Here is a small excerpt: "The first blog I wrote as part of this segment was all about Down Syndrome on my personal website, www.mskaraline.weebly.com I also wrote a piece called “Teacher Guide to Terminology Etiquette” that is related to these blog posts, here on VoicEd. I will now be focusing on Autism. The word autism raises many different ideas and assumptions, however autism spectrum disorder is very broad. As a teacher, you will probably have students in your classroom with ASD, and it is important to know how we can integrate their learning styles, and needs. ‘The More You Know’ posts are dedicated to debunking myths and assumptions." Let’s end the stigma about autism. How can we do this? By being aware about the facts and truth behind ASD, and continuing to share this information with others. Don't forget to leave a comment and share the post. I Don't Learn That Way: AuditoryThus far, I have gone over visual learners and kinesthetic (hands-on learning can be read on VoicEd.ca). One of the VARK methods that I personally struggled with was an auditory learner. What is auditory learning? Students learn best through listening; whether it’s speaking or through music. Most of the time, I feel as though we tend to focus on kinesthetic and visual learners, as this is on the rise. However, we should not forget that there are still two other methods of learning. Tips for Auditory Learners 1. Music to my ears: one of the main strategies for auditory learners is through music. This can be done through having soft classical music in the background, which can not only add to their learning potential, but also create a calming atmosphere. When teaching a new lesson, I have often integrated a short YouTube video that involved a song about the subject; this has even worked for Math! Students will continue to sing this funny song for days to come, and it will help them remember key concepts as well. 2. Flash cards: flash cards are very helpful for auditory learners. They can go through each card and read it out loud, or view a question on one side, attempt to answer it without looking, and then review the answer afterwards. 3. Name that equation: auditory learning is not only subjected to reading and writing. When solving a math equation for example, orally saying the steps you’re going to use can help. Try explaining what you’re doing to a classmate or tutor; by telling someone the steps and discussing it, the student will have an easier time expressing what they do and do not understand, as well as finding what areas they may need to work on. 4. Say it out loud: auditory learners can benefit from discussions, and group study sessions in which classmates talk about information and review together orally. Speaking out loud about upcoming quiz material and assignments will benefit your auditory learner. When writing an assignment, it can be best to read it out loud to go over any mistakes (this is also good for every learner- you sometimes read over grammar mistakes that you won’t catch unless it’s read out loud). 5. Oral presentations: keep in mind that your auditory learner may be better at giving an oral presentation, than writing a written test. Although this is not always feasible, when applicable, allow your student to give a presentation in replacement of a written assignment. You may be surprised at what they actually know; they can express themselves better. Don't forget to check out VoicEd.ca for more of my blogs on anything education related.Twitter Follows:
@KaralineVla @VoicEdCanada I Don't Learn That Way: KinaestheticFor this blog post on hands-on learning, you can view it on the VoicEd website by clicking on the link here: https://voiced.ca/kvlahopoulos/i-dont-learn-that-way/ Here's a small excerpt: "Integrate movement into your classroom. Having stations set up involves a lot of classroom management. However, it is a great way to bring about movement and learning in your classroom. Set up small groups of desks around the classroom, each group having a different activity. Students are encouraged to work in a group while maintaining that learning. Not only are they rotating to different stations, but the activities themselves can also involve small movements." Twitter Follows: @KaralineVla @VoicEdcanada I Don't Learn That Way: VisualDifferentiated learning has swept the nation, and we should all be really happy about that. Hopefully, gone are the days when young students sit at a desk, write down notes, listen to a lecture and call it a day. At eight years old, this is the last thing kids want to be doing, which in turn, makes them resent school. Education is now moving into creating a learning environment that benefits all different students and learning styles. The different learning styles that most people are used to hearing are VARK: visual, auditory, read/write, and kinesthetic. Over the next few blog posts, I’ll be going through different strategies to use for these learning styles.
VISUAL Visual learners need, of course, visual stimuli. For example, instead of orally spelling out a word and ask them to write it down, write the word on the board for them while calling out the letters so they can see it, and better understand. Instead of discussing a historical event (students are sitting in a circle, listening to the teacher tell them about the event), mix discussion with a video, or a PowerPoint with pictures to better get your message across. Here are a few more good tips for your visual students:
One great tool to use for drawings and visuals is Google Drawings. Everything you create is saved on Google Drive and can be accessed anywhere, anytime. You can also get students involved by adding them into the document, where they can edit and add their own work. Be sure to check out VoicEd.ca for blogs, podcasts and more! I'm a REAL TeacherOne of the main issues encountered by many teacher candidates, including myself, is developing a level of authority with the students in their practicum classroom. The students know that they have a primary teacher, and most students will view teacher candidates as exactly that; an “extra” teacher, a “student teacher”. I personally struggled with this issue, as I wanted to be viewed as a teacher, and have the students see me as teacher number two, not the “extra teacher who is actually still in school, which makes her a student, so she’s not really a teacher yet.” I am still learning how to accomplish this, but have come up with a few tips on how to achieve this teacher status.
Being a Teacher Candidate can be hard. You may not feel like you’ve found your place in the teaching world, or maybe you just can’t wait to graduate to feel like you can really express your teaching capabilities. Change your view on this; look at it as a learning experience that will benefit you in the future. Don't forget to check out my blog post "Teacher Guide to Terminology Etiquette" on www.voicEd.ca VoicEd.ca Blog NewsRecently, I have joined the VoicEd team and will be sharing blog posts on their website. I'm so excited to be writing with a great team of individuals who share interesting and insightful pieces; whether it's a blog or a podcast.
My first piece is called "Teacher Guide to Terminology Etiquette". Here is the introduction: "Something I have struggled with, and continuously struggle with, is using the correct terminology for different circumstances. I am currently doing a lot of research on the term “special needs”; what does this really mean? Terminology etiquette for “special needs students” is ever changing. We have come a long way from using objectifying terms, and society is always looking to be politically correct in order to properly encompass everyone’s’ needs. Every website and person you ask may have a completely different answer. In this case, who’s right?" If you'd like to read the rest of this blog post, here is the link: https://voiced.ca/kvlahopoulos/teacher-guide-to-terminology-etiquette/ If you're on twitter, follow these accounts: @voicEdcanada @KaralineVla Don't forget to check out other podcasts & blog posts on voicEd.ca The More You KnowTeaching has given me so many new opportunities and interests that I didn't know I had. After working with special needs students, I realized this was something I wanted to pursue in my career somehow. I am a big advocate for those with special needs, and want to educate others on proper information and the truth. So many of us have preconceived notions on the subject, and most of our thoughts and assumptions are wrong. This blog post is dedicated to giving information on Down Syndrome.
What is Down Syndrome? Please stop using the word 'disease' in the same sentence as down syndrome - it's not. It's far from it. Simply put, it's an error in cell division that causes someone to have 1 extra chromosome. It can lead to cognitive and physical impairments that range from mild to moderate. However, this does not take away from the individuals' strengths and abilities. Are individuals with Down Syndrome in special education classrooms? No, not necessarily. Students with down syndrome are usually in integrated classrooms. "Increasingly, individuals with Down syndrome graduate from high school with diplomas, and participate in postsecondary academic and college programs." (ndss.org) Do adults with Down Syndrome work? Yes, they absolutely do. Many people have this idea that individuals with down syndrome can't work, and that's far from the truth. Here's a video that I urge everyone to watch: "Things People with Down Syndrome are Tired of Hearing" Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAPmGW-GDHA&index=28&list=PLAdOPgX5QtT-wmrMJKAKo2ecKBWQGa2pa "Down Syndrome is NOT Scary": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV6Av4WdCOc "People with Down Syndrome Speak Out": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ILgLmChlxNg I recently came across Special Sparkle; a jewellery company started by a woman with down syndrome. The jewellery in which she makes herself is stylish and fashionable! You can support her by purchasing the jewelry through her website here: http://www.specialsparkle.com You can help end the stigma by staying educated on the subject, and informing others. http://www.ndss.org > National Down Syndrome Society Stress Relief for Students & TeachersDuring a normal school day, sometimes we don't think about the stress or anxiety a student may be feeling. This could be due to something happening at school, or at home. I think it's important to take a few minutes each day to work on stress relief, and allowing the students to relax their minds from the chaos of the day. There are a few ways I have personally used to do this, and other ways that I have yet to try.
Cosmic Kids is a 'yoga for kids' YouTube channel. It is done in a very fun, story-telling way that keeps the kids energized, leading into a relaxed phase, and is ultimately very amusing! (I've definitely participated myself with the students, and had a great time). Link here: https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga GoNoodle is a great energizer, and especially for those students in your class that like to get moving and release their energy. It includes fun dance videos (and other videos as well) that the whole class will enjoy. Link here: https://www.youtube.com/user/GoNoodleGames Go Zen is another YouTube channel that includes calming, mindfulness and meditation stories for kids. Link here: https://www.youtube.com/user/gozenonline Emotion/Feeling Board: A good way to check in with your students is by having a feeling or emotions board. Something that is more well known for teachers is the 'Zone Board'. This is a great behaviour management tool that is easy to use. Teachers can clearly understand how a student is feeling by using the 'Zone Board'. Picture Shown Below Positive Self-Talk Cards: A great and easy tool to make for the students in your class. It can be left in their desk, or in their locker/cubby. Each card has a positive message students can go to throughout the day, and messages can easily be replaced with pictures for differentiation. Picture Shown Below Now, teachers need stress relief tools, too! Adult Stress Relief Colouring Pages: This may sound silly, but after having used this tool myself, I can attest to its functionality. Link to purchase (in store and online): https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/colouring-books/ Yoga: I absolutely love yoga, but I don't like being in public in a group setting- I just can't focus. One YouTube channel I love to follow is Yoga with Adrienne. It can also be downloaded as an app. Link here: https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene Do What You Love: Take time out of your busy schedule to do one thing you love to do. Whether it's reading, exercising or taking a bath; and whether it's 20 minutes or 1 hour. Make sure you make time for you, and enjoy it. |