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About the Creator and Founder
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My name
is Laurie Laurendeau, and I am the creator of Giggle Facts and the founder of Giggle Learn, LLC. I am an elementary
educator and have been teaching students aged 4 to 18 in the United States, Canada, and France since 1995.
I
received a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) degree in French from Trent University in 1994, and a Bachelor of Education degree
from Queen's University in 1995.
I am
fluent in two languages, and I have taught in both English and French classrooms. I have taught Kindergarten, First
Grade, Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade, Fifth Grade, and Sixth Grade. I have evaluated resources for a
publishing company, and developed curriculum for school districts. Currently, I offer one-on-one tutoring to pre-school
and elementary aged school children. I am very passionate about teaching children and enjoy developing individualized
programs for each of my students. I am a life-long teacher and learner.
Laurie's Teaching Philosophies
I
have a few key principles in my philosophy of educating children. These principles serve as a framework for
everything I create, teach, and believe in.
I
strongly believe that most concepts can be taught through games. I am constantly inventing new games to teach concepts
to children that have typically been taught in more traditional ways. This makes learning (and teaching!) a lot more
fun, and therefore more meaningful and engaging to children. It is wonderful to see how all of the children
who come to me for after school tutoring enjoy their time and have so much fun learning with me.
Education
should be child-centered; that is, developed with the individual child as the focus. Children learn at different
rates and in many different ways. The way a child learns should be nurtured to ensure that we are unlocking each and
every child's potential. Different approaches should be used in educating children, as each child has varying learning
styles and strengths. It is the job of teachers and educators to identify the child's needs and learning methods,
and in turn teach them in a way that best suits them.
Self-confidence
serves as an important foundation to a child's learning. Teachers should constantly be building this self-confidence
in the children they teach, as it is imperative to their success and to their sense of self-worth. Teachers should create
many opportunities for children to be successful. Creative approaches and positive reinforcement are essential to a
child's learning and engender their love of learning. A teacher's positive attitude and support create a safe
and nurturing learning environment for children. I make sure to celebrate kids' accomplishments, big and small!
Teachers
need to make real connections with their students. This comes first and foremost by having sincere respect for each
of them, and by earning their trust. Humor is a valuable tool that I often use to connect with my students. Children
have a great sense of humor, and they love laughter, and so I incorporate this into their learning, making it less serious
and more fun. When teaching difficult concepts, it is important not to take anything for granted, such as prior knowledge.
Breaking down concepts into bite-sized pieces and teaching core vocabulary helps students connect learning to their own lives.
Mental Math and Problem-Solving Skills
When
teaching Math, I guide all students with two main ideas in mind: developing strong Mental Math skills, and nurturing
Problem-Solving skills. Children are quite capable of being critical thinkers if we give them the necessary tools and
guidance. Encouraging the use of many strategies allows children to solve problems in a variety of ways, and allows
them to decide which strategy best suits their way of thinking and learning.
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