"Learning a foreign language not only reveals how other societies think and feel, what they have experienced and value, and how they express themselves, it also provides a cultural mirror in which we can more clearly see our own society.”
"Learning a foreign language not only reveals how other societies think and feel, what they have experienced and value, and how they express themselves, it also provides a cultural mirror in which we can more clearly see our own society.”
Creative and Transformative Pedagogies
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Students of all ability levels
Adaptive Furniture
Inclusive teaching is the becoming the new norm in classrooms around the world with numerous studies detailing the benefits of including students of all ability levels in the classrooms. With this new classroom environment there are new challenges that educators face, but these challenges are merely opportunities to creatively address the needs of all students so success in all forms can be achieved. These challenges can be daunting but often solutions can be found in the simplest of ways; by including community, cultural appreciation, the integration of a number of subjects into lessons that everyone can access and even adaptive or innovative equipment. All of these solutions can be found by simply understanding your students and a bit of trial and error to find reasonable solutions. The use of adaptive furniture and equipment has been in the news lately as being a simple and extremely effective method of handling students who have been diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, emotional outbursts or students who merely struggle to sit still for hours on end as our school system “requires”. These kinds of equipment includes stationary bicycles, medicine ball chairs, rocker chairs or even a bungee cord attached to chair legs! These extremely simple variations can make a world of difference for all students as well as for teachers tasked with educating these young minds everyday. Being creative can bring around a huge amount of change through very simple means and any ability level can be accommodated and welcomed into any classroom.
www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-march-11-2016-1.3486644/classroom-stationary-bikes-encourage-kids-to-blow-off-steam-while-learning-1.3486682
Adaptive Furniture
Inclusive teaching is the becoming the new norm in classrooms around the world with numerous studies detailing the benefits of including students of all ability levels in the classrooms. With this new classroom environment there are new challenges that educators face, but these challenges are merely opportunities to creatively address the needs of all students so success in all forms can be achieved. These challenges can be daunting but often solutions can be found in the simplest of ways; by including community, cultural appreciation, the integration of a number of subjects into lessons that everyone can access and even adaptive or innovative equipment. All of these solutions can be found by simply understanding your students and a bit of trial and error to find reasonable solutions. The use of adaptive furniture and equipment has been in the news lately as being a simple and extremely effective method of handling students who have been diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, emotional outbursts or students who merely struggle to sit still for hours on end as our school system “requires”. These kinds of equipment includes stationary bicycles, medicine ball chairs, rocker chairs or even a bungee cord attached to chair legs! These extremely simple variations can make a world of difference for all students as well as for teachers tasked with educating these young minds everyday. Being creative can bring around a huge amount of change through very simple means and any ability level can be accommodated and welcomed into any classroom.
www.cbc.ca/radio/thecurrent/the-current-for-march-11-2016-1.3486644/classroom-stationary-bikes-encourage-kids-to-blow-off-steam-while-learning-1.3486682
Integrated Subject Matter
Jean Vanier teaches that belonging and community are the root of a successful inclusive classroom and to foster relationships among all students should be the most important factor when considering how to approach education. This means that all students must feel included and their abilities must be appreciated. By integrating a variety of curriculum into each lesson educators are able to reach all eight types of Gardner’s multiple intelligences, musical-rhythmic, visual-spatial, verbal-linguistic, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, interpersonal, intrapersonal, and naturalistic, giving every student an opportunity to have success. This could mean teaching a cooking class along with a math class, with aspects of science curriculum tossed in for good measure, an art class and english subject matter that uses theatre to communicate with the viewers. The possibilities are endless! By integrating a variety of subjects and teaching methods educators are able to assess their students strengths, weakness and interests to tailor their lessons even further to not only allow students of all ability levels to have success but to thrive. This also allows the students to struggle and even to fail in a safe environment without fear of repercussions and rejection from their classmates or the school system as a whole. By giving value to all strengths and acceptance to all weakness this sense of community can be fostered and curriculum (academic or not) can be shared by everyone.
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First Nation's Pedagogies
As a child I went to a provincial school where First Nations culture was nowhere to be found I felt alone and I did not fit in with the others. My skin was different than the other kids’ and my accent was very thick. I would be made fun of for saying twelve wrong. Since my experiences were so bad, and it caused me to be ashamed of who I am, I believe that it is time to learn from past mistakes and incorporate more First Nations Content throughout the classroom, not only will it benefit First Nation’s children, but it will give every child a chance to witness such a beautiful culture. Learning about First Nation’s authors and having books around the room can give kids a sense of pride for their culture. It is important to try and include ceremony into the classroom, I found that playing the Mi’kmaq honor song in the morning while smudging helps calm the kids down and get them ready for the day. Playing First Nations flute music while the kids are writing is very relaxing and it helps them to focus on the task without getting distracted on any sound they hear, plus the kids love it. There are many resources out there to help teachers include First Nations in their classrooms.
Activities
-Project of Heart - Project of Heart is an inquiry based, hands-on, collaborative, inter-generational, artistic journey of seeking truth about the history of Aboriginal people in Canada.
http://projectofheart.ca/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQZx5u5jLu0
-The Blanket exercise – a powerful teaching tool where participants stand on blankets and get a greater understanding the land that was taken from First Nations people since pre-contact.
http://kairosblanketexercise.org/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzXdi_RDkjc
Books
- Fatty Legs – Margaret Pokiak
- A Stranger at Home – Margaret Pokiak
- When I was Eight – Christy Jordan-Fenton
- Not My Girl - Christy Jordan-Fenton
- My Name is Seepeetza – Shirley Sterling
- A Promise is a Promise – Robert Munsch
- Ribbon Rescue – Robert Munsch
News Articles
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/nova-scotia/robert-munsch-books-to-be-translated-for-mi-kmaq- students-1.2588511
IPad Apps
-AntleNetkatek is a book by Robert Munsch called “I’m So Embarrassed”
-L’nui’suti – is an app on the IPad that helps you find words in Mi’kmaq, and says the word for you too.
Communities
“Indigenous people often say, however that while no two groups are the same, they all share commonalities in their own tribal ways of living in nature and their indigenous ways of understanding ways of understanding how to live” (Aikenhead, 2011,p.72). Hunting is a big part of First Nation’s communities. Especially in Gesgapegiag QC Hunting is taught at a young age, and no child is denied the right to learn, children as young as five years old are invited on a hunting trip with a local hunter to learn the proper ways to offer thanks to the creator for the opportunity to provide for the community, how to respectfully distribute the meat and the importance of taking only what is needed to survive. It is important that each child has the chance to give back to the community, and gives them a sense of belonging. “Belonging is important for our growth to independence; even further it is important for our growth to inner freedom and maturity.” (Vanier, 1998, p.35)The First Nations community of Eskasoni is teaching young people moose hunting to revitalize traditions in hopes of keeping adolescence away from drugs. “Poverty, Social and Economic marginalization and other risk factors are most strongly experienced by people in selected groups including Aboriginal youth, immigrants and those living in the inner cities remote rural areas.” (Wotherspoon, 2001) The hunt has been successful, kids who couldn’t catch moose before are now proudly leading their peers, and the some of the meat collected had been used for their communal feast. People who cannot afford to buy meat at the stores are able to buy from the stores.“It is important to educate people on the modern way if the Mi’kmaq, to see what the Mi’kmaq are all about, it’s about giving and caring and providing.” (Paul L, CBC, 2015)
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/nova-scotia/eksasoni-parents-against-drugs-1.3320224
“Indigenous people often say, however that while no two groups are the same, they all share commonalities in their own tribal ways of living in nature and their indigenous ways of understanding ways of understanding how to live” (Aikenhead, 2011,p.72). Hunting is a big part of First Nation’s communities. Especially in Gesgapegiag QC Hunting is taught at a young age, and no child is denied the right to learn, children as young as five years old are invited on a hunting trip with a local hunter to learn the proper ways to offer thanks to the creator for the opportunity to provide for the community, how to respectfully distribute the meat and the importance of taking only what is needed to survive. It is important that each child has the chance to give back to the community, and gives them a sense of belonging. “Belonging is important for our growth to independence; even further it is important for our growth to inner freedom and maturity.” (Vanier, 1998, p.35)The First Nations community of Eskasoni is teaching young people moose hunting to revitalize traditions in hopes of keeping adolescence away from drugs. “Poverty, Social and Economic marginalization and other risk factors are most strongly experienced by people in selected groups including Aboriginal youth, immigrants and those living in the inner cities remote rural areas.” (Wotherspoon, 2001) The hunt has been successful, kids who couldn’t catch moose before are now proudly leading their peers, and the some of the meat collected had been used for their communal feast. People who cannot afford to buy meat at the stores are able to buy from the stores.“It is important to educate people on the modern way if the Mi’kmaq, to see what the Mi’kmaq are all about, it’s about giving and caring and providing.” (Paul L, CBC, 2015)
http://www.cbc.ca/beta/news/canada/nova-scotia/eksasoni-parents-against-drugs-1.3320224
Newcomers to school
As a newcomer myself, moving from Germany to Canada at 10 years old, and having had an ESL tutor in schools, this is a topic that spoke to me. General resources were suggested on Canadian school district websites. Among these resources, the need for ESL teachers for anyone who requires one, and introductions to the school and teachers prior to the first day of classes were common elements. The Government of Canada’s immigration website has a Teacher’s Corner, in which there are suggestions of games for immigrant students to become familiar with Canada’s history, culture, and geography.
Other suggestions to create a welcoming atmosphere include:
- English conversation circles
- Multi-cultural clubs
- Homework clubs
- Sports & recreational clubs
- Reading buddy programs
- Culturally-based culinary clubs
- Peer-mentor programs
- Language barriers
- Culture shock
- Different school routines
- Group work vs. individual work
- Paper vs. hands on work
- Teacher-centered vs student-centered learning
- Less family support
The recommendations Yao has for teacher supports are:
- Using empathy/understanding – knowing students may be confused, stressed and scared.
- Conferencing/communicating with parents – letting parents explain their child’s previous school, and letting teachers inform parents how they can help their child.
- Understanding student’s cultural background – instead of viewing their behaviors as disrespectful.
- Pairing the students up with a peer who speak their language and English – this gives a sense of comfort to the student as well as someone they can learn from.
- Using visual/technological assistance – using translators or alternative methods of communication
Technology for different language
When you learn a new language it can be challenging for any students. We all know technology can be powerful and helps students understand more concepts in the classroom. As a teacher, we need to include all students in the classroom. There are a variety of teaching tools that are helpful to maximize the effectiveness of technology in the classroom. In a classroom setting, technology can help focus and deepen the understanding of students. To maximize the effect of technology in the classroom individuals can use different personal devices. The interactive experience of language learning can be helpful for students from any place. Students can work in groups, help fuel interaction, and keep students focused on a specific learning goal. Some students can create blogs to helps each others, using technology based tools for teaching any language, along with their different applications. Students can use technology for textbook explanations alone, this is an important part of the language learning process for your student. Simply listening to native speakers and picking up new phrases, grammar patterns and more is very helpful for students. To learn the language, students need to hear new vocabulary words in context, spoken naturally and casually. Language and culture are intimately connected, making it essential that students get a good feel for the target language in a cultural context and in the classroom. In brief, students are motivated learners so they will always be on the lookout for supplementary materials that will help diversify their language learning experience.
http://ici.radio-canada.ca/audio-video/media-7321619/nadine-tanguay-enseigner-dans-une-classe-ipad
Technology for different language
When you learn a new language it can be challenging for any students. We all know technology can be powerful and helps students understand more concepts in the classroom. As a teacher, we need to include all students in the classroom. There are a variety of teaching tools that are helpful to maximize the effectiveness of technology in the classroom. In a classroom setting, technology can help focus and deepen the understanding of students. To maximize the effect of technology in the classroom individuals can use different personal devices. The interactive experience of language learning can be helpful for students from any place. Students can work in groups, help fuel interaction, and keep students focused on a specific learning goal. Some students can create blogs to helps each others, using technology based tools for teaching any language, along with their different applications. Students can use technology for textbook explanations alone, this is an important part of the language learning process for your student. Simply listening to native speakers and picking up new phrases, grammar patterns and more is very helpful for students. To learn the language, students need to hear new vocabulary words in context, spoken naturally and casually. Language and culture are intimately connected, making it essential that students get a good feel for the target language in a cultural context and in the classroom. In brief, students are motivated learners so they will always be on the lookout for supplementary materials that will help diversify their language learning experience.
http://ici.radio-canada.ca/audio-video/media-7321619/nadine-tanguay-enseigner-dans-une-classe-ipad
-Technology allows students to demonstrate their communication and learning styles.
-Technology enables students to build strong content knowledge.
-Technology differentiates for needs of students by being creative for visual learners.
-Technology helps student to understand deeper knowledge in school
-Technology can boots creativity and stimulate learning
-Technology can have a profound positive impact on student learning
-Students learn best when they are creating things
-Student are being inundated with technology at very young age
-Education for the future fantastic technological tools
-Ed-tech in the classroom prepares students for their futures and sets them up a successful like outside of school such as jobs and changing the world.
-Technology enables students to build strong content knowledge.
-Technology differentiates for needs of students by being creative for visual learners.
-Technology helps student to understand deeper knowledge in school
-Technology can boots creativity and stimulate learning
-Technology can have a profound positive impact on student learning
-Students learn best when they are creating things
-Student are being inundated with technology at very young age
-Education for the future fantastic technological tools
-Ed-tech in the classroom prepares students for their futures and sets them up a successful like outside of school such as jobs and changing the world.
Quote:
“We are preparing to take advantage of the opportunities created by a world in a constant state of flux. We have begun to redefine our classrooms of the future, in fundamental ways, because we believe our schools can no longer operate in isolation from the rest of the world. Our classrooms must embrace a global perspective and employ technology, in education funding continues to shrink, these new technologies will assist us in getting on with the task of equipping our students with the necessary skill sets needed to compete in a global market. It is imperative that all students and teachers begin to use and acquire an understanding of the new tools of information retrieval and manipulation. [...] Our students need help in finding new ways to reach out and learn from each other. Teachers must no longer see themselves as content providers when global networks are quickly taking over that task. Teachers must embrace their new role as context providers.”
(Janet Baird-Jackson, p. 15-16.)
“We are preparing to take advantage of the opportunities created by a world in a constant state of flux. We have begun to redefine our classrooms of the future, in fundamental ways, because we believe our schools can no longer operate in isolation from the rest of the world. Our classrooms must embrace a global perspective and employ technology, in education funding continues to shrink, these new technologies will assist us in getting on with the task of equipping our students with the necessary skill sets needed to compete in a global market. It is imperative that all students and teachers begin to use and acquire an understanding of the new tools of information retrieval and manipulation. [...] Our students need help in finding new ways to reach out and learn from each other. Teachers must no longer see themselves as content providers when global networks are quickly taking over that task. Teachers must embrace their new role as context providers.”
(Janet Baird-Jackson, p. 15-16.)
References
Jones, M. (2004). Whisper Writing: Teenage Girls Talk about Ableism and Sexism in School. New York, 2004. Adolescent Cultures, School and Society. Vol. 36. General Editors: Joseph L. DeVitis and Linda Irwin-DeVitis
McGee, J. (2000). Feeling at home is where the heart must be. Retrieved from www.Gentle Teaching.com.
Porter, G. & Smith, D. (2011). Exploring Inclusive Educational Practices Through Professional Inquiry. Sense Publishers: Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Toulouse, P. R. Supporting Aboriginal Student Success: Self-Esteem and Identity, A Living Teachings Approach. Laurentian University.
Lupart, J. (2000). Students with Exceptional Learn Needs: At-Risk, Utmost.Pan-Canadian Education Research Agenda Symposium: Children and Youth at Risk, Ottawa, April 6-7, 2000.