Inquiry Based Learning: Part 2

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog post about inquiry-based learning in which I explained the purpose of a Wonder Day project and then shared a short example about the history of forks. While this type of project is a lot of fun, and I sincerely hope I get the chance to try it …

Self-Care and Blending Language Arts with Social Studies

Last Tuesday my Language Arts Pedagogy class took a “self-care day” and went into Portland, Oregon to see the musical In The Heights at Portland Center Stage. The goal behind the outing was to remind us that as teachers we will need to engage in regular self-care. Extroverted teachers will need time to recharge with …

Inquiry-Based Learning: Wonder Day Projects

I have written previously on my blog about my undergraduate experiences in the William Penn Honors Program at George Fox University. This program was one of the highlights of my four years of college, as it involves a Socratic Seminar-style read-through of some of the greatest philosophy, literature, theology, and social science in the history …

Courageous Conversations and the Power of Narrative in Social Studies

As part of the coursework for my Master’s program, I am enrolled in a Social Studies Pedagogy class that meets once a week in the evenings to talk about what good social studies instruction looks like. This week, our class happened to fall on September 11th, and we opened up our discussion together by talking …

Bulletin Board Shenanigans

Last week was my official first week of student teaching, full of highs and lows. I was excited to meet my CT (Cooperating Teacher), the teaching team at the middle school where I have been placed, and to get into the classroom for the first time. I was terrified to do all those same things. …

Becoming My Mom

I distinctly remember the day, one sunny spring afternoon in seventh grade, when my two best friends and I decided what we were going to be when we grew up. We had finally grown tired of the inflatable backyard pool and were laying on the grass talking as only middle school girls can. Lauren was …

Socratic Education in My Future Classroom

What I learned from four years of intensive socratic seminars, and how I plan on using that as a teacher. Before my undergraduate career, I had done exactly one formal socratic seminar in my life. It had been in my AP Literature class, and only happened because my teacher was being formally observed for his …

What Does It Mean to Earn My Jewels?

You’re gonna be you, and it’s gonna take a lifetime of practice. And practice is awkward. Practice is a struggle. Practice is a fight. — Jon Foreman Today I completed the whirlwind of my second day of grad school. My name is Dakota; I am working towards my Master’s degree in Education and I will …