Welcome, Introduction and Philosophy

8^th Grade Science with Mr. Bloye

 

I am looking forward to getting to know each student and to a great year of learning and growth.  I have been teaching in Dearborn Public Schools since 1989.  I grew up about 2 miles from Stout and attended school in Dearborn Heights.  I earned my professional degrees from Eastern Michigan University and Wayne State University.  I have four children of my own, two in college and two in high school.  I have experienced education as a teacher, as a parent and as a student.

Though I have been teaching for more many years, I still learn new things all the time.  I believe learning is a lifelong process, for myself but also for each of the students with whom I work.  It is my goal not only to help the students learn the science content as directed by the State of Michigan and the Dearborn Public Schools, but also to help each of them “learn how to learn”.  Each of us is different in how we see and interpret the world around us and thus we each have different learning styles.  I believe that there is not one best way to learn and therefore there is not one best way to instruct.  With this in mind, I design my lessons to approach each topic with as many different techniques (modes) as possible.  My rule of thumb or goal is to use at least seven different modes for each learning expectation.

 

Techniques include but are not limited to:

 

– lab activities / projects                     – creating posters or pamphlets

– reading the text                                    – making drawings and other graphic organizers

– guided reading questions                 – attending to teacher demonstrations

– taking notes in a notebook               – group work activities

– class discussions                                  – student presentations

– creating graphic organizers             – watching and creating Power Points

– watching an animation                      – creating lists or study tools such as flashcards

– copying or recopying notes

I encourage each student to give their best effort on each technique and to “self-monitor”, to see which works best for them to master the concepts.  Once each individual “learns how they learn”, they can better focus their time and energy.  As the year progresses, students will be given choices from a list of differentiated assignments that they feel fit their learning style best.  Some assignments will have a required format and some will have options.  This process empowers each student to take responsibility for and control of their own learning.  In turn this will put them on the road to becoming lifelong learners and ultimately to live happier and richer lives.

 

Again, I am looking forward to a wonderful year and to getting to know and to working with each of you.

 

Mr. Peter Bloye