Explain how we ensure we are respecting the rights of the children we are teaching?

Child Development
Educators must understand the social and developmental needs
of children, and the implications for teaching and learning. The following are
starting points for your exploration of developmental theories:
Learning Theories, by Gayla Keesee
12 Principles of Child Development and Learning that Inform
Practice
Child Development Principles and Theories
Jean Piaget
Lev Vygotsky
Having reviewed these theories, list three questions you
have about child development.
Post your questions to the Discussion.
Read your colleagues’ posts and respond to any of the
questions to which you have answers.

Theories of Child Development
Decide on a child development theory that seems most
relevant to your experience with Primary students. In about 250 words, explain
the practical implications of your chosen theory for teachers of Primary
students.
Post your theory and explanation to the Discussion.
Read your colleagues’ posts and respond to at least one.

Child Development Connections
Look through the Ontario Curriculum Documents for the
Primary grades.
Choose one subject area and identify at least three
connections between the curriculum expectation in that subject area and a child
development theory. Explain how you can use these connections to better
understand and support your Primary learners.
Post your response to the Discussion.
Read your colleagues’ posts and respond with comments to at
least one.

Learning Theories
Explore the learning theories found in the following links:
Learning Theories
Ontario Curriculum Documents
Choose two learning theories that resonate with you. Reflect
and make connections to your own learning experiences and those of your
students. Briefly respond to the following questions:
How do these learning theories frame the way you think, the
way you prepare lessons, and help you effectively deliver the curriculum?
How can you use this information to plan instruction that
respects students’ individual learning styles, strengths, and experiences?
Post your answers to the Discussion.
Read your colleagues’ posts and respond to one.

Applying Theories of Education
Educators need to understand the importance of establishing
collaborative communities of empowered and engaged learners that embraces
creativity, problem solving, and inquiry-based learning. We need to create and
sustain positive, ethical, equitable, inclusive, engaging, and safe learning
environments for our students.
Read the following:
Constructivism and Social Constructivism in the Classroom
Learning theories in practice/Constructivist classrooms
What does constructivism have to do with my classroom?
Multiple Intelligences In The Classroom
Now, consider and respond to the following questions:
How practical it is for Primary teachers to apply theories
of education in their classrooms?
What are some of the challenges?
Why is constructivism important for the Primary classroom?
Post your responses to the Discussion.

Differentiated Instruction (DI)
Examine the following resources:
Learning for All
What Works for Differentiating Instruction in Elementary
Schools
Beyond ‘One Size Fits All’ in Physical Education
Differentiating Mathematics Instruction
From the above resources, choose a subject of interest and
search the Internet for ways to incorporate differentiated instruction in that
subject. Identify the website and describe how the information might be used in
the Primary classroom to differentiate instruction.
Post the link and description to the discussion.
Respond to the posts of at least two colleagues.

Special Education and ELLs
Review the following websites for information about special
education and ELLs
Differentiated Instruction
Supporting English Language Learners
Suggestions for Making Your Classroom ELL Friendly
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Now prepare responses to the following:
How does your school board support differentiated
instruction in Primary education, e.g., special education, English as a Second
Language, French, Music?
What are some strategies to support learners’ resiliency,
well-being, and mental health?
How can culturally inclusive pedagogies be incorporated in
program design, planning, and development?
What does equity mean to you?
Explain how we ensure we are respecting the rights of the
children we are teaching?
Post your ideas and strategies to the Discussion.
Critical Thinking
How do we promote critical thinking in our classrooms? How
can educators guide learners to become good problem solvers? How can we equip
learners with the tools to successfully navigate the 21st century? How do we
nurture global citizenship? Consider these questions and read the following:
Strategies to Promote Critical Thinking in the Elementary
Classroom
Critical Thinking Links for K–3 Teachers
How to Develop A Critical Thinking Mindset in Elementary
Students
The Importance of Teaching Critical Thinking
Educating for Global Citizenship
Write a short summary of one of the sites. Create a list of
strategies to use with Primary learners to encourage them to be good global
citizens. Include a link that you found helpful in promoting critical thinking,
problem solving, and global citizenship in the Primary classroom.
Post your summary, list of strategies, and link to the
Discussion.
Read your colleagues’ posts and respond with comments to at
least one.

Curriculum Connections
Choose a subject of interest from the K–3 Ontario Curriculum
Documents, e.g., science, social studies, language. Design a unit or lesson
plan for that subject. Describe how you would incorporate critical thinking and
problem-solving elements into your unit or lesson plan to promote global
citizen in Primary learners.
Post your lesson plan and description to the Discussion.
Read your colleagues’ posts and respond.

DI and Student Engagement
Watch the video Differentiation and the Brain, by Tomlinson
(2013).
Review the Differentiated Instruction Educator’s Package and
DI Resource Roundup.
In written (300-400 words), audio, or video format, explain
how and why you would use differentiated instruction to improve student
engagement and outcomes. Share some of your experiences with DI as well.

Meeting Students’ Needs
Think about where you are in your current professional
practice. List five steps that you need to take to increase your effectiveness
in meeting students’ needs. If you are not currently teaching, list five steps
you’ll need to take to effectively meet students’ needs.

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