This year your child will experience the excitement of being a member of our eMINTS classroom community. eMINTS (enhancing Missouri’s Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies) is a learning model that focuses on technology, cooperative learning, and inquiry. I have received several years of training in this research-based methodology and I am excited to share my teaching style with these students.
Technology. In our classroom, students sit at tables with a computer between partners; we are a 2 to 1 computer class. With these devices, we will be using the internet to research, typing papers on Microsoft Word, completing interactive lessons, editing pictures and movies, and so much more! My role in this aspect of the eMINTS model is to acquire and maintain resources as well as teach my students how to properly use each tool. Your child will need to complete a technology agreement with the district to have access to this device.
Cooperative Learning. eMINTS teaches that students must feel safe in the classroom in order to learn; this applies to physical and emotional safety. We will spend a lot of time this year on team-building activities to improve social skills and help students feel comfortable with one another. There will also be many projects where students work in pairs or groups. My role in this aspect of the eMINTS model is to create individual accountability, where each student is responsible for his or her own work in a group.
Inquiry. Students will be engaging in hands-on learning experiences throughout this school year. I encourage my students to ask questions to help guide learning. My role in this aspect of the eMINTS model is to find out what questions students already have about a topic and design my lessons around their own natural interests. I also want to help students find answers instead of telling them the answers, because research has shown that learning becomes more meaningful when students discover information on their own.
Technology. In our classroom, students sit at tables with a computer between partners; we are a 2 to 1 computer class. With these devices, we will be using the internet to research, typing papers on Microsoft Word, completing interactive lessons, editing pictures and movies, and so much more! My role in this aspect of the eMINTS model is to acquire and maintain resources as well as teach my students how to properly use each tool. Your child will need to complete a technology agreement with the district to have access to this device.
Cooperative Learning. eMINTS teaches that students must feel safe in the classroom in order to learn; this applies to physical and emotional safety. We will spend a lot of time this year on team-building activities to improve social skills and help students feel comfortable with one another. There will also be many projects where students work in pairs or groups. My role in this aspect of the eMINTS model is to create individual accountability, where each student is responsible for his or her own work in a group.
Inquiry. Students will be engaging in hands-on learning experiences throughout this school year. I encourage my students to ask questions to help guide learning. My role in this aspect of the eMINTS model is to find out what questions students already have about a topic and design my lessons around their own natural interests. I also want to help students find answers instead of telling them the answers, because research has shown that learning becomes more meaningful when students discover information on their own.
Updated 6/12/19