Learning Through Play: Driftwood Creatures, Storytelling, and Science in the Classroom

One of the coolest experiences I’ve had this semester as a teacher candidate was creating our own driftwood “creatures” in class. We were given pieces of driftwood and asked to turn them into a creature with both a creative name and a scientific-sounding name, then build a background story about how we came upon it. […]

Creating Classrooms of Curiosity

Learning about provocations and inquiry-based learning has inspired me to think differently about how I want my future classroom to look and feel. These approaches connect strongly to Teacher Competency 10, which focuses on using reflective practice and evidence-informed approaches to improve teaching and learning. When teachers design meaningful learning experiences and then reflect on […]

Starting with Wonder

Teaching to Connect Beyond Ecophobia and My Science Classroom As a future science teacher, one of the things I find most important is how I help students feel about science and the world around them. I recently read an article called Beyond Ecophobia by David Sobel, that changed how I think about environmental education. It […]

Seeing Science Through Many Eyes: First Peoples Perspectives Belong in the Classroom

Science Is Not One Story Often, Western science dominates classroom content. But in reality, Indigenous peoples have long engaged in deep understanding of ecosystems, weather patterns, land stewardship, and biodiversity knowledge that is tied to place, relationship, and lived experience. Including these perspectives acknowledges that science is not a single narrative, but an important conversation […]

Teacher Competencies

Competency 1: Worldview Awareness Worldview awareness means understanding that everyone brings their own experiences, culture, and values into the classroom. Teachers are not neutral their backgrounds shape how we see students and learning. Recognizing this helps us teach in more inclusive and respectful ways. Key Ideas Everyone has a worldview shaped by culture, family, and […]

Novel Study

Novel Study: The Miniature World of Marvin and James This Grade 2 novel study builds reading comprehension, communication, and creative thinking through interactive and student-centered learning experiences. Core Competencies Communication: Communicating, Collaborating Thinking: Critical and Reflective Thinking, Creative Thinking Personal and Social: Positive Personal and Cultural Identity Big Ideas Language and story can be a […]

Read Alouds

Read Alouds Jenna and Carolyn Title of Text: The Animal People Choose a Leader by Richard Wagamese English Language Arts Curricular Connections: Big Ideas: Language and text can be a source of creativity and joy. Exploring stories and other texts helps us understand ourselves and make connections to others and to the world. Curricular […]

Braiding Sweetgrass

Learning to Walk Gently Reading Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, has helped me slow down and reconnect with the world around me. It made me more aware of how I notice nature in my everyday life and how humans respond to the natural world, sometimes with care and gratitude, and other times with control […]

Picture Books

Book Title: Can You Hear the Plants Speak? Book Author: Nicholas Hummingbird & Julia Wasson Indigenous/BIPOC Book Illustrator: Madelyn Goodnight Book Type: Picture Book Topics: Science (Life Science, Ecosystems, Plant Biology), Social Studies (Indigenous Cultures, Environmentalism), teaching about plant communication, Indigenous wisdom, and Earth stewardship Grade Level(s): K-3 Subjects: ELA, Science, Socials, Indigenous Curricular Competencies […]

Rubrics

Rubrics give learning expectations and success criteria by clearly outlining what students are working towards. They support consistency in assessment by helping teachers evaluate student work using the same criteria. Rubrics also help students identify their strengths and areas for growth, making learning more transparent. By focusing on descriptive feedback rather than just a grade, […]

Carolyn's Learning Journey

It's Kind of Fun to do the Impossible – Walt Disney

Author: misscarolyn14