My students come from a range of backgrounds and cultures, and it is important to embrace and showcase other cultures in the classroom. They are inquisitive and love learning about other cultures and histories.
My classrooms feature students who are at different levels of English proficiency, including some who are new the country.
I am lucky to have students of such diverse backgrounds in class. My students are hardworking and passionate about improving their community.
My goal as a teacher is to create an enriched learning environment where students are free to be leaders and help each other grow. As students are exposed to more cultures and see themselves reflected back in learning, students are able to better connect with historical themes and ideas.
My Project
This professional learning opportunity will give me an opportunity to learn of other cultures from around the world to give my students insight into another culture. I will explore significant locations of Icelandic history including lava rock caves that inspired Nordic myth and a glacier hike to learn about the impact of industrialization on the environment.
Students will benefit from lesson plans about the relationship between people and the environment.
The museums in Reykjavik, including the National Museum, Saga Museum, and the Settlement Exhibition will provide insight into the early settlement of Iceland and gives a rounded view of the relationship between humans and the environment. This PD will give me the opportunity to see this relationship over time, from Viking explorers to contemporary impacts of climate change.
By gaining insight into these things, I will be able to create lessons for on-level and AP classes focusing on the relationship between humans and the environment. From information and pictures gathered during PD, students will be able to analyze and evaluate the positive and negative consequences of technological advancements, from improved ship-building techniques of the Vikings to the changes of coal-powered machines. Students will also have a new lesson focused on examples of global migrations including the Vikings, Polynesians, Bantu-speaking peoples, and the Berbers. This PD will allow me to provide students with a more in-depth look at factual Viking history to enrich their understanding of similarities and differences between these migrations.
This PD will also provide me with an opportunity to share my knowledge with other professionals at my campus and in my district. This will give other social studies teachers an opportunity at PD and new resources for their classes.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Ms. Kenner and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.