JOURNAL #7

This week we've been on Spring break, and I've had some time to reflect a little bit on this journey so far.  Some of the most influential concepts that I've learned during this process is the VTS (Visual Thinking Strategies) style of asking questions, the concept of big ideas, the practical application of teaching a group of 4th graders and the many different teaching styles and methods.   All these different ideas and methods have started to help me form what it might look like when I teach.  What concepts work well with me naturally and play to my strengths.  Really our students influence so much of how we respond to how we teach, and learning about how to be flexible and adaptive;  the ability to "think on my feet" has been a really critical for me to learn and practice.

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To symbolise this journey, I've chosen to make a handmade chain.  I like the idea of the chain as a strong interconnected and methodical practice.  Each link symbolising the different methods and pieces of knowledge I learn on this path of becoming a teacher.  I made the links different because no one method or lesson looks exactly the same, and they are all linked by me and by my experiences.  I've connected this idea and chain back with my original snake pendant.   If the snake represents my past experiences and convictions, the chain is in some way representative of what I am learning and will continue to learn.

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There is also a space where the links diverge and converge again...  This is a design choice, but also to leave myself space and act as a reminder that it's okay to try different paths and change.  This is all a part of the learning.  I also want to leave room on this piece to add the possibility of charms, color or additions, maybe to symbolise my past and future students.