Principles of Teaching
Unit 3, Day 7 & 8
Topic: Philosophy of Education
Text Reference: Ch 8, page 315
Learning Targets:
1. I can explain what a philosophy of education is and why it should be important to
me.
2. I can list and describe in detail 5 of the major philosophies of education in the
United States today.
3. I can successfully put my philosophy of education into writing using the teacherprovided guidelines.
Opening Assignment:
 Write today’s learning targets.
 Read the Chapter Preview on page 314. Define the word philosophy.
Procedures/Lesson Outline:
 Read together pages 315-317
 Activity: Inventory of Philosophies of Education, pages 317-319…discuss
student results.
 Foldable—5 flap (make together…do on own)
 Essentialism
 Perennialism
 Progressivism
 Social Reconstructionism
 Existentialism
For each provide a brief description, including names of educators
and schools associated with that philosophy. Identify which are
teacher-centered and which are student-centered.
On the back, answer this question: How do philosophical beliefs
affect teaching style?
 Video Segments: 22-Essentialism/23-Progressivism/24-Social Reconstructionism
 Assignment: Write a philosophy statement (assignment sheet below)
Marzano:
Vocabulary
Compare/Contrast
Summarizing/Note Taking
Reinforcing Effort/Giving Praise
Homework & Practice
Nonlinguistic Representation
Cooperative Learning
Setting Objectives/Providing Feedback
Generating & Testing Hypotheses
Cues/Questions/Advanced Organizers
Assessment: OA/Foldable
Materials: OA/ Ledger-sized paper/scissors/markers/DVD
Learning Targets:
1. I can explain what a philosophy of
education is and why it should be important
to me.
2. I can list and describe in detail 5 of the
major philosophies of education in the
United States today.
3. I can successfully put my philosophy of
education into writing using the teacherprovided guidelines.
Opening Assignment:
 Write today’s learning targets.
 Read the Chapter Preview on page 314.
Define the word philosophy.
Foldable Rubric
Title: Philosophy of Education
Label the Flaps:
 Essentialism
 Perennialism
 Progressivism
 Social Reconstructionism
 Existentialism
Under the Flaps:
For each philosophy provide a brief description, including
names of educators and schools associated with that
philosophy. Identify which are teacher-centered and which
are student-centered.
On the back, answer this question: How do philosophical
beliefs affect teaching style?
Philosophy Statement
Purpose:
This is the time to begin writing your philosophy of education statement. It
will help promote your own philosophical clarity, give you a foundation for career
development, and contribute to positive job interviews. Your statement should be stored
in your portfolio, revised throughout your pre-service program, and eventually submitted
as part of a teaching application or presentation portfolio.
Assignment:
Your teacher education program may have specific criteria for the
format, style, and content of your philosophy of education. In general, your draft
statement would be one page long, written in the first person, accurate in representing
who you are, and correct regarding spelling and grammar. We offer the following
phrases as possible opening lines:
 I am convinced that teachers make a contribution to student achievement in
specific ways. I intend to…
 Teachers are responsible for creating a learning environment that includes “the
basics” of instruction. My version of “the basics” means…
 My core beliefs about education will be evident with students as I…
 Different students learn differently. I plan to meet the individual needs of my
learners by…
 I have been inspired by meaningful educators. Their strengths will travel with me
to the classroom when…
 I believe the goals of education are…
Write your own philosophy of education based on one of the philosophies of education
explored in class. You may want to identify which philosophy you are basing your
thoughts on. Your statement should include, but is not limited to, the following sections:




Introduction
Methods of Instruction
Classroom Management
Conclusion
Your reader should visualize what your classroom will be like. Check your grammar,
mechanics, punctuation, capitalization and voice. Minimum 300 words. Maximum 500
words. Consider adding a quote illustrating your views and a clipart.