How I Teach
Remote Learning - Beginning in February 2020 and continuing until June 2021, I have been teaching remotely. This means I have had to rely on technology so much more than I would have when teaching in a classroom setting. Aside from using our school's LMS system (TeacherEase), I have created interactive materials in using Office365 and other programs--and created custom websites that contain an entire curriculum (see my Human Rights class for instance.)
Problem-based Learning (PBL) is a student-centered pedagogy in which students learn about a subject in the context of complex, multifaceted, and realistic problems. Working in groups, students identify what they already know, what they need to know, and how and where to access new information that may lead to resolution of the problem. The role of the instructor is that of facilitator of learning who provides appropriate scaffolding of that process by (for example), asking probing questions, providing appropriate resources, and leading class discussions, as well as designing student assessments.
See…
See…
Problem-based Learning (PBL) is a student-centered pedagogy in which students learn about a subject in the context of complex, multifaceted, and realistic problems. Working in groups, students identify what they already know, what they need to know, and how and where to access new information that may lead to resolution of the problem. The role of the instructor is that of facilitator of learning who provides appropriate scaffolding of that process by (for example), asking probing questions, providing appropriate resources, and leading class discussions, as well as designing student assessments.
See…
- PBL: Living Faith – An examination of conscience converted to a PBL whose Driving Question is: “How is it that the lives of so many professed Christians are utterly inconsistent with the faith they profess?”
- PBL: History’s Lessons – This is an extensive PBL where are challenged to ponder the Driving Question: “Do the lessons passed down to us by history, lessons whose origins may be hundreds, even thousands of years in the past, still have value today?”
See…
- Active Catechesis (ISBN 978-1-4659-6663-6) - When it comes to teaching religion, it is more than a subject—it is a way of life! This book is written for teachers who are seeking to delve deeper into catechesis than most religion textbooks guiding young disciples by creating an active learning environment.
- Evaluating a School Library Media Program (OCLC number 35578174) - Master’s project includes a set of lesson plans for the teacher and a set of exercises for students.
- Literary Connections – A series of literature circles for four novels relating English/Language Arts and Social Studies classes. This website includes and overview and the complete set of modules for Lois Lowry’s Number the Stars.
- UPS Webquests - This is a set of modules using primary sources. These UPS exercises are designed to help students become critical thinkers by thinking as a historian and learning to write competently by using primary sources. They will examine real evidence about important questions in history. They will evaluate this evidence against what they already know in order to reach a conclusion. The process of evaluation, analysis, and synthesis reflects what historians do. Some of the primary sources included are graphics, maps, charts, political cartoons, poems, songs as well as documents. Learning to look at something critically and interpret its meaning and impact are vital skills for the life-long learner.
- See…
- PBL: Living Faith – An examination of conscience converted to a PBL whose Driving Question is: “How is it that the lives of so many professed Christians are utterly inconsistent with the faith they profess?”
- PBL: History’s Lessons – This is an extensive PBL where are challenged to ponder the Driving Question: “Do the lessons passed down to us by history, lessons whose origins may be hundreds, even thousands of years in the past, still have value today?”
- Evaluating a School Library Media Program (OCLC number 35578174) - Master’s project includes a set of lesson plans for the teacher and a set of exercises for students.
- Research How-To’s - This is my MA in Education Thesis converted into a PBL to help my fellow college and/or graduate students conquer their research fears. (See also two related pdf files on download page)
- See…
- UPS Webquests - This is a set of modules using primary sources. These UPS exercises are designed to help students become critical thinkers by thinking as a historian and learning to write competently by using primary sources. They will examine real evidence about important questions in history. They will evaluate this evidence against what they already know in order to reach a conclusion. The process of evaluation, analysis, and synthesis reflects what historians do. Some of the primary sources included are graphics, maps, charts, political cartoons, poems, songs as well as documents. Learning to look at something critically and interpret its meaning and impact are vital skills for the life-long learner.
- See…
- Expression of Our Catholic Faith: Using Literature to Enrich Catechesis (ISBN 978-1-4657-2319-2) - This is a teacher-to-teacher resource for religious education that discusses how to use literature to enrich Catholic catechesis. Four books are analyzed in detail. This resource includes a select bibliography and a list of alternative assessments.
- UPS Webquests - This is a set of modules using primary sources. These UPS exercises are designed to help students become critical thinkers by thinking as a historian and learning to write competently by using primary sources. They will examine real evidence about important questions in history. They will evaluate this evidence against what they already know in order to reach a conclusion. The process of evaluation, analysis, and synthesis reflects what historians do. Some of the primary sources included are graphics, maps, charts, political cartoons, poems, songs as well as documents. Learning to look at something critically and interpret its meaning and impact are vital skills for the life-long learner.
- See…
- Prayer Services for the Catholic Classroom (ISBN 978-1-4581-9833-4) - This booklet is a sampling of some prayer services I used as a classroom teacher in Catholic schools.
- Praying the 12 Steps & Traditions of CoDA (ISBN 978-1-4581-2224-7) - This prayer book is presented as a guide to those seeking healing through prayer and meditation. Its format is based on the Roman Catholic tradition of the Liturgy of the Hours. This small guide is humbly submitted for those seeking a loving Higher Power and spiritual support in the 12-step journey to healthy and loving relationships.
- Praying the 12 Steps & Traditions of SIA (ISBN 978-1-4580-1591-4) - This prayer book is presented as a guide to those seeking healing through prayer and meditation. Its format is based on the Roman Catholic tradition of the Liturgy of the Hours. This small guide is humbly submitted for those seeking a loving Higher Power and spiritual support in the 12-step journey to healthy and courageous living.
- Praying With Poetry (ISBN 978-1-4657-5091-4) - Poetry is a form of literature that eludes definition. It is an art form that emerges from the pure human need to express oneself. By reading and reflecting on literature, such as poetry, the reader identifies and empathizes with the writer. The shared experience is similar to that of a group therapy situation. After all, there is nothing new under the sun.
- Scripture Study – “Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ.” —St. Jerome.
- See…
- Active Catechesis (ISBN 978-1-4659-6663-6) - When it comes to teaching religion, it is more than a subject—it is a way of life! This book is written for teachers who are seeking to delve deeper into catechesis than most religion textbooks guiding young disciples by creating an active learning environment.
- Haggadah: A Christian Interpretation of a Jewish Tradition (ISBN 978-1-4581-8850-2) - For thousands and thousands of years our Jewish brothers and sisters have celebrated Passover. This holiday commemorates their Exodus from slavery. It's no coincidence Jesus chose the Passover meal for what the Church now celebrates as the Holy Mass and Eucharist. This book is a resource for teachers who wish to teach the deeper meanings of the Eucharist in history and scripture.
- Meditation Exercises for Classroom Prayer (ISBN 978-1-4580-3806-7) - This booklet contains a series of meditation exercises. The goal is to introduce middle school and junior high students to the method of prayer known as LECTIO DIVINA. In our everyday lives, we can forget to develop our friendship with God. In these prayer times we will focus on these ordinary times in order to see God in the day-to-day lives we lead.
What I Teach
Teaching Children versus Teaching a Subject - It is important to remember that as an instructor I am well informed in my subject but I am teaching people. Each individual is the first consideration when I am creating my lesson plans or planning my instructional session. I consider the child as (s)he comes to me—full of capabilities., untapped resources, prior knowledge and unbounded curiosity. My leadership and their receptivity will launch the student on a lifelong journey of Christian discipleship. This way of life is the only true measure of my success as a teacher—(i.e. the blossoming of the students’ spiritual nature and character growth toward Christ is my ultimate goal.)
I hold a 09 Standard Teaching Certificate from the State of Illinois that qualifies me to teach in grades 6 – 12 in the following areas of endorsement: Business/Marketing/Computer Applications, English/Reading/Language Arts, Media/Learning Resource Center (Librarian), and Social Science/History. I hold an active catechist certificate in the Archdiocese of Chicago and the Diocese of Joliet that enables me to teach Religion/Religious Education. To see my recently published eBooks – click My Publications Contact Info [email protected] |
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