Blog Post #1

If I could build my own school it would be a place that the kids would never dread going to! Like Krissy Venosdale my school would be colorful and very hands on. All of the artwork in the school would be done by the students. Every year on the first day the students and teachers would spend the day painting and decorating the school how they wanted it that year. The teachers would be friendly and caring toward students and each other. The library would be covered in comfy bean bags and stocked with thousands of books. I would make a thirty minute slot after lunch to hang out and read in the library. During this time, students will have access to computers and tablets to work on homework or further explore the topics they are learning about.  The cafeteria would serve yummy but nutritious foods and would always have a variety to choose from. Teachers would be more focused on the students learning and understanding the materials taught than making sure everything got briefly covered. There would be no standardized test to prepare for, EVER. Field trips would be almost a weekly thing! There is almost always somewhere to go for hands on experience for any topic of study! If it is not possible to go then it will be brought to the school!

What do you want your students to know (in general terms)?
I want my students to know that they are special and that they are important! They need to understand that they do matter! I also want them to understand that it is perfectly okay to be different than everyone else! If we were all the same the world would be a boring place! We can't all be hands, somebody has to be a foot or an ear!

What do you want your students to be able to do (in general terms)?
I want my students to be able to not only succeed academically but also in their lives! I want them to use school to help them in other areas of their lives. For example, giving presentations in front of the class can help boost their confidence!

What will be your primary way of teaching your students what you want them to know and 
to do?
I will be a very hands on type of teacher because I am a hands on type of learner. I think most people, especially children, are also this way! I will participate in class projects rather than just watch and grade.

What tools will you use in your classroom?
In my classroom I will use technology as much as possible but I will also be using lots of crayons, makers and paper! I will use whatever it takes to make sure my kids understand the topic!

What role will students play in your classroom, i.e. how will they participate in the 
learning process? 
I don't want to lecture to a class and not know that no one understands until test time. I want them to ask questions and participate in all activities! I want each student to take a topic and become the teacher for the day and teach the class everything about their topic! I also want to have hands on activities daily so that students can fully understand what I am trying to teach them.