Kaitlyn Turnbull

February 20, 2015

Personal Philosophy of Teaching
I believe that in order to provide effective and successful teaching within English
Language Arts a teacher must include the following elements in each of their units:
1.

Student involvement

2.

Variety in lessons

3.

Teacher participation

Student Involvement:
I believe that involving students in assessment is one of the key ways to promote success
in the classroom. Students can be involved in assessment in a variety of ways: through self and
peer-assessment, through helping create rubrics by brainstorming assessment criteria, and by
having students help generate examination questions. According to Kari Smith (2009),
assessment becomes a learning tool when students are involved in the process (p. 1-2). The
effectiveness of student involvement in assessment results from an increased motivation in
students. Students who are involved in the assessment process are able to learn by repeatedly
reviewing the material, and often feel a sense of pride that pushes them to work harder because
they helped create the assessment material (Smith, p. 2). In my own unit, I plan on involving
students in assessment by allowing them to help me create rubrics for our summative
assessments. I will also involve students in assessment by having them fill out self-assessments
throughout the unit, and engage in peer-evaluation for the final project.
Variety in Lessons:

In order to help keep students engaged and interested in class, I plan on having variety in
my lessons. I have planned my unit in a manner that a class should constitute of several 15-20
minute activities, rather than dedicating entire classes to lecture or silent reading. I believe that
changing the activities throughout class will keep my student fresh and attentive. If I do see my
students fading in class I plan on using brain-breaks that will get my students up and moving,
even for just a few minutes. Not only should variety be provided in lessons, but throughout the
school year. By teaching may different types of units throughout the school year, there is a higher
chance of each student being involved in a unit which they truly enjoy. The reason why I believe
variety is important is because it should help increase student participation and engagement,
while also allowing the opportunity for students to learn something new.
Teacher Participation:
An effective English Language Arts class includes a teacher who is willing to participate
in the class activities. I believe that teachers who participate in class encourage their students to
participate too. For example, if students are reading, I believe I should also be reading. If I
choose to use my students reading time to complete other tasks such as planning I am only
encouraging my students to complete other tasks besides reading. I believe that teachers must
teach by example. If my students are writing a quick write response, I should write one too and
use it as an exemplar: So what if I make a mistake? Mistakes are okay to make, I just want to
see all of you engaging in writing and trying to improve your craft!
I believe that active participation on the teachers behalf will not only model your
expectations, but also show your students that no one is good at everything, and that making a
mistake is both natural and okay to do.

Bibliography
Smith, K. (2009). From test takers to test makers. Educational Leadership: Multiple Measures,
67(3), 26-30.