Philosophy

The Morris Hills Regional District English Department's philosophy embraces a student-centered approach with a focus on critical thinking and cooperative learning. We are sensitive to varied learning styles and adhere to the New Jersey Common Core Standards.

A philosophy of student-centered learning is one that encourages students to take responsibility for their education. This ownership is accomplished by adjusting the focuses of learning from the teacher as a knowledge dispenser to the teacher as a helpful coach. Intrinsic in the student-centered approach are cooperative learning activities that allow students to learn from each other and to benefit from study that is directed toward discoveries and insights that students make for themselves.

Recognizing that students learn in different ways, we have organized our instruction and assessment philosophy to be appreciative of different learning styles. We encourage students to be active learners rather than passive receptacles for facts. We know that students learn best in their dominant learning style; however, it is necessary for students to be able to learn through a variety of modalities and for teachers to be able to instruct with a variety of educational strategies.

Another element of student-centered learning is training in the process of critical thinking. We encourage students to be reflective and to understand the process through which they come to insights and understanding of concepts. For some students, this training includes elements of learning to learn. For others, it includes components of action research. Along this continuum are many other meta-cognitive approaches, which the department believes are also beneficial to learners. Reading, writing, listening, speaking and viewing skills are at the center of the English Department's philosophy, along with an appreciation for diversity in all of its manifestations.

Increasing student vocabulary is primarily accomplished from the literature that students study both independently and in the classroom. Vocabulary enrichment is also accomplished through a variety of approaches, which include traditional vocabulary word list study and enrichment of vocabulary across the curriculum.

We acknowledge the need for organized approaches to standardized testing and therefore prepare students for tests suck as the PSAT, the SAT, HSPA and AP tests. Communicating test wiseness is an essential component of our curriculum.

Good research skills and a familiarity with contemporary technology are also active components of our philosophy. We utilize a recursive approach to develop these skills throughout the four years of our English Department offerings. Students build on pre-existing knowledge until they are capable researchers and writers of research documents. We encourage students to utilize the advantages of technology in the study of language.

Created by: Ashley Parrish, 2010-11