Teaching with Heart

Hula Hoop Check-In

Posted by kelseyvass in Assessment, Physical Education

In EDCP 320 (P.E. Curriculum), I worked collaboratively with my colleages to create a formative assessment activity. We designed the assessment as part of a Bhangra dance lesson, a cultural activity with which many students may be unfamiliar, to increase confidence and engagement. In practice, this tool can be adapted to any subject and grade as a means to check-in with students and increase participation. Pre-Assessment At the beginning of the lesson, check in with the students to find out how they feel about learning Bhangra dancing, or the targeted…read more

Jul.13

Beautiful Oops

Posted by kelseyvass in Art

“When you think you have made a mistake, think of it as an opportunity to make something beautiful.” – Barney Saltzberg During my practicum, many of my young students were anxious about making mistakes. It was particularly evident in art, when students would ask for two or three new pieces of paper to get their creation “just right.” I also realized that students had a tendency to replicate my models as opposed to transferring the ideas to their own creative pieces. While I recognize the importance of practice in learning,…read more

Jul.13

Camouflaged Butterflies

Posted by kelseyvass in Art, Science

During our Canadian Animals unit, students became fascinated with how predators and prey use camouflage for protection. To demonstrate the idea of camouflage, I facilitated an embodied activity. On a piece of yellow paper, I placed several coloured toothpicks. I then asked student volunteers, one at a time, to pretend to be birds and pick up the first worm they saw. Once students all had a toothpick, we sorted them based on colour. Students immediately recognized how they were more likely to pick up toothpicks that did not match the…read more

Jul.13

Pretzel Habitats

Posted by kelseyvass in Science

During my Canadian Animals unit, the students and I conducted a collaborative study about beavers. After reading and watching videos about beaver habitats, students were invited to build their own dams using pretzels and chocolate frosting. This hands-on (and tasty) way to explore habitats proved to be a class favourite – students were engaged in the activity for much longer than I anticipated. In addition to the enthusiasm students showed for the lesson, it served to scaffold the subject-specific language they were introduced to in our preceding research. As the lesson progressed, students began…read more

Jul.11

Animal Webcams

Posted by kelseyvass in Science

To showcase their learning during a unit about Canadian Animals, my grade two students completed individual research projects on creatures of their choice. They used informational texts to collect information, took notes in their detective folders, and prepared short presentations to share what they learned with their classmates. During work time, I projected live webcam streams from local zoos and natural sites onto the whiteboard so students could see their animals in action. I framed the videos by reminding the class that they were still accountable for completing their work. As…read more

Jul.11

Professional Development

Posted by kelseyvass in Professional Development

Professional development is an integral component of my teaching philosophy. Below is a list of workshops I attended during the completion of my Bachelor of Education. These experiences enriched my teaching practice and encouraged me to become a self-reflective educator. I look forward to seeking out continued opportunities for growth and learning as I continue my practice. • Authentic, Innovative Literacy Learning with Technology, Karen Lirenman (May 2014) • Cultivating Creativity in Your Classroom, Destination Imagination (May 2014) • Teaching Tennis, TennisBC (Feb. 2014) • HeartSmart Kids, Heart & Stroke Foundation…read more

Jul.07