As I begin my practicum as a teacher candidate, I have been thinking deeply about how to make learning meaningful, engaging, and culturally responsive for students. One theme that continues to emerge across educational resources is the power of storytelling. Storytelling is not only a tool for literacy but also a powerful way to teach […]
Read more "science and story vines"When I first heard about Story Vines as a literacy strategy in Sometimes Reading Is Hard by Robin Bright, I wasnât quite sure what to expect. The idea sounded creative, but I didnât yet understand how powerful it could be for helping students retell and understand stories deeply. In Brightâs textbook, Story Vines helps students […]
Read more "Using Story Vines in the Classroom"As a teacher candidate, one of the most meaningful parts of my learning journey has been participating in our Worker Bee Prep Class. This class was designed to prepare us for working one-on-one with students, supporting their learning needs while building confidence in teaching science in real, human-centered ways. Itâs not just about lesson plans […]
Read more "Worker Bee Prep Class"A classroom library is more than a collection of books, itâs a reflection of whose stories are valued. When students see themselves represented in texts, they feel included. When they encounter lives different from their own, they build empathy and understanding. This is especially important for centering BIPOC, 2SLGBTQIA+, and Indigenous voices, whose stories have […]
Read more "Societal, Cultural, and Gender Issues in Literacy"Becoming the Teacher Our Classrooms Need If Not Here, Than Where-Article As someone who is preparing to become a teacher, that line âIf not here, then where?“, resonates like a call to purpose. It isnât just about where learning happens, but why it matters. Itâs a challenge to all future educators to think deeply about […]
Read more "If Not Now, Then When?"Magic E Literacy Station- Snakes & Ladders- Magic E For our literacy stations, I had the opportunity to design and run a literacy station focused on Magic E (also known as the silent âeâ) for a Grade 1 class. This station was part of a rotation of literacy centers, where small groups of students moved […]
Read more "Making Magic with Magic E: Rolling, Reading, and Learning Through Play"Finding Science in my Lunch Kit If someone told me that eating bananas had anything to do with X-rays or airport security, I wouldâve assumed they were joking. But science is weird in the best way and bananas are a perfect example of how everyday foods can connect to much bigger ideas. I learned […]
Read more "When Your Snack Meets Science"Many Sciences & Many Stories Before this week, I used to think of âa scientistâ as one kind of person who just⌠knows science. Like, if youâre a scientist, you probably know about space, animals, rocks, weather, medicine, and everything in between. But the more we talked about science in class and listened to our […]
Read more "Teaching Curiosity, Not Just Answers"The Wolves in the Walls Storybook and VR experience The learning experience began in the Design Lab, where we listened to the picture book Wolves in the Walls. The book was read aloud by classmates/teacher to model expressive reading and to engage students with the storyâs mood, suspense, and sensory details. It was also shown […]
Read more "When Books Come Alive: Wolves, Walls, and Wonder"From Strings to Insights: Personal Reflection Models on Teaching Violin Teaching is a lot like conducting an orchestra, each student is a unique instrument, with its own tone, tempo, and personality. As teachers, we donât just play the notes, we listen, adjust, and guide to create harmony. Reflection is the conductorâs baton, helping us pause, […]
Read more "Gibbs vs Driscoll What? So What? Now What? Reflective Model"