Statement of Beliefs About the Learning Process

Researchers continue to demonstrate that students learn most efficiently and effectively when they see the relevance for knowing what they are being taught. I have found this easy to do in my science classroom. Science is all about discovering how the real world works, so connecting academic standards or learning objectives to authentic scenarios is an easy task.

I feel that an inquiry-based curriculum is the best approach to teaching because it places a heavy emphasis on learning through experience. This teaching approach not only develops content area skills and knowledge, it develops critical thinking and problem solving skills as well.

I would like to find a teaching situation in which six to eight interdisciplinary topical units could be used to provide an overarching theme to unify what will be taught to students throughout the school year. These units would necessarily be tailored to meet state standards and requirements, and would be subdivided into smaller thematic modules. This would allow students time to explore topics in depth over the course of the school year and provide a system that promotes the development of appropriate cognitive linkages.

By participating in interdisciplinary approaches to topics, students are presented with the opportunity to see the interconnectedness of the material they are learning in all of their classes. It is easy for them to see why what they are doing has relevance to their lives, and it promotes a greater appreciation for the concepts that are presented.

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