University of Puerto Rico in Aguadilla
Department of Education and Physical Education
EDPE CLASSES
EDPE 4511: Educational Clinical Experiences at the Elementary Level
The teacher candidate teaches four (4) hours daily, five (5) days a week for a semester (300 hours minimum) in the public schools of Puerto Rico, under the supervision and guidance of a cooperating teacher and a teaching practice supervisor. This teaching experience is further enriched through seminars, conferences, demonstrations, direct observations, and participation in activities inherent to inservice teachers.
First Project: Teacher Work Sample
The TWS provides substantial evidence you are ready to begin your professional career as an educator. The development of a TWS will provide you with an authentic experience designed to develop in you “a teacher’s way of thinking.” In other words, in your future career the systematic development of a TWS may not happen again in a formal written manner. However, very importantly, it will create a professional habit of mind where, as an educator, you will naturally think about the seven processes of the TWS as a matter of best practice. Compiling a TWS provides you with professional growth experiences and documentation that reflect your ability to impact the learning of students.
Teacher Work Sample and Reflection
Second Project: Community Service Porject
A School Community Service Project is a thoughtfully organized activity planned and conducted by the candidate with the purpose of addressing the needs of the school community. The practicum should be a time for growth and learning, where teacher candidates are provided with opportunities to come to understand the broader implications of being a teacher. Schulz (2005) states that practicum experience should provide teacher candidates with opportunities for inquiry, for trying and testing new ideas within collaborative relationships, and for talking about teaching and learning in new ways. This project aims to impact the school community (students, parents, and teachers) inviting them to share, interact, and provide mutual support leading to personal and professional growth while fostering a participative and collaborative school culture (Claudio Tirado, 2003). Furthermore, this experience seeks to foster knowledge, skills, and attitudes consistent with the Teacher Preparation Program’s promotion of democracy and diversity.
Community Service Project and Reflection
EDPE-4005: Seminar and Curriculum at the Secondary Level
Theoretical and practical course regarding the teaching and learning processes. Studies aspects related to the teaching of English in the secondary school: planning, education, and curriculum; basic content in this area of specialization; preparation, adaptation, and utilization of resources; methodologies, teaching techniques, and strategies; and fundamentals of evaluation and measurement. This course will be offered face-to-face.
First Project: Educational Innovations Symposium
The Educational Innovations Symposium: Enhancing Second Language Acquisition through Games, Phonetics, and Communication is a presentation project in which participants demonstrate creative, research-based methods to improve ESL learning. Each 6–8 minute presentation must introduce the objective and targeted linguistic skill (such as pronunciation, fluency, or intonation), explain the selected game or technique with clear steps and classroom context, and include a short demonstration or example—either live, participatory, or visual. Presenters must also justify their approach with theoretical support from linguistics, phonetics, or second language acquisition research, highlighting how the strategy benefits ESL learners, particularly within Puerto Rican classrooms.
Describe your image
Describe your image
Photos of the project
Presentation
Proposal
Reflection
Second Project: Lesson Plan
In this project, I will design and present a complete lesson plan that demonstrates my ability to plan effective, engaging instruction for a secondary level, specifically 8th grade. My goal is to show how I can organize learning experiences that promote understanding, participation, and skill development.
Lesson Plan
Reflection
EDPE 3045: Seminar and Curriculum of Learning at the Elementary Level
The course analyzes and discusses the implementation of the Elementary School curriculum. Special attention is given to the areas of drafting operational objectives, taxonomy of questions, individualized instruction, grouping of students, and planning of learning activities. The course requires clinical experiences in an elementary-level educational setting.
Project: Procedures for Students
This assignment required summarizing Chapter 4, “Procedures: For Students,” from The Classroom Management Book and creating discussion questions to engage classmates. The chapter focused on classroom procedures such as tardiness, absent folders, homework organization, and paper formatting. Through this project, I strengthened my understanding of classroom management and reflected on how I would apply these procedures in my future classroom.
Presentation
Reflection
EDPE 3018: Teaching English as a Second Language
This course delves into the essence and roles of language, encompassing the morphology, phonology, syntax, and vocabulary of English as a second language. It outlines the principles of English language instruction in Puerto Rico, including current methodologies and teaching materials. Additionally, the course involves the development of lesson plans and the creation of classroom experiences.
Project: The Natural Approach
The Methods and Approaches Project required summarizing a chapter from Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching by Richards and Rodgers and presenting it through a PowerPoint, handout, and a mini lesson. Working with my partner Giomar Aponte, we focused on Chapter 14, The Natural Approach, where I summarized the chapter and supported the planning of the mini lesson. This project helped me better understand the Natural Approach and how to apply it in the classroom, especially by using visual supports and meaningful interaction.
Presentation
Reflection
EDPE-3065: Innovaciones Pedagógicas
Análisis y discusión de los últimos enfoques o técnicas pedagógicas y de las nuevas tendencias vigentes en las diferentes materias o disciplinas que se imparten en el nivel elemental. Se dará especial atención a la introducción o establecimiento de programas innovadores, tales como la escuela sin grado, la enseñanza por equipo, la enseñanza individualizada, el uso de módulos instruccionales o instrucción programada, el horario escalonado y el empleo de recursos de la tecnología educativa para enriquecer el aprendizaje. Realizarán visitas a las escuelas para observar en función de los últimos adelantos.
Projecto: "Design Thinking"
Creacion de un producto de gafas para un compañero de clase utilizando el pensamiento de "Desing Thinking". La misma, es una metodología de diseño de resolución de problemas que te permite abordar problemas complejos mediante un marco centrado en el ser humano. Es un enfoque centrado en el usuario para resolver problemas de manera creativa y eficaz.
Foto del proyecto
Reflexión