Progressivism is an educational theory the emphasis that ideas should …show more content…
I believe children should actively engage in their schoolwork through problem solving experiences. Their classroom environments should not only meet the needs of the students, but also engage them in their own learning. This I evident within my own classroom by the way the students are presented with hands- on materials such as fine motor toys (manipulatives), toys, puzzles and science experiments. The philosophy of progressivism aligns with Maria’s beliefs by presenting the children with a problem and then solving the problem with reason through experience. I implement hands-on learning with a majority of lessons that I present to the students. I expect the students to not be passive learners, but those who are responsible for learning. For example, when investigating why leaves turn colors, I brought my class outside to examine leaves and come to some conclusions on their own. I guided the students through their investigation by asking questions. Constructivism is an educational philosophy that emphasis hands- on activity-based teaching and learning during which students develop their own frames of thought (Johnson et al. p. 115). Our main learning space is a large, oval rug. Here the children sit …show more content…
p. 91). Maxine Greene was a humanist who believed in individuals finding their own identities through art, clothing, environment, and music. Maxine often brought her students to the streets of New York to find inspiration. My students play in a risk-free environment where they are able to be themselves. The classroom design welcomes children to explore in centers such as science, sensory play, and writing. There are a variety of materials and tools the children can choose from to create or explore in the center of their choice. An important theorist in the early education field is Friedrich Frobel who believed in the importance of play. Friedrich Frobel was a theorist who believed in the importance of play. Froebel stated, “Play is the highest expression of human development in childhood, for it alone is the free expression of what is in a child’s soul” (pgpedia.com). There are many different family structures that make up my classroom, so I also invite the families into our room. This promotes a diverse community where the children learn from each other. Therefore, the children not only feel validated within their own classroom environment, their families do, too. My discipline approach and teaching style derive from humanism as well. When a situation arises in the class between students, I act as