Hello! My Name is Ruizhou Li (Rachel).
Welcome to My Teaching Portfolio!
Inspired by place-based and experiential learning, my teaching creates interactive, hands-on experiences that connect students to their communities, spark inquiry, and demonstrate the relevance of knowledge in everyday life.
I am a Professional Designer & Passionate Educator.
Transforming curriculum into meaningful, memorable, and authentic learning experiences that inspire curiosity, deepen understanding, and empower every learner.
Sample Lesson/Unit Plans
Original Lesson Design
From Idea to Experience
Every lesson is designed to be interactive, hands-on, and connected to students’ lived experiences, encouraging curiosity and meaningful learning.
3D Shape ID Card Project
Grade 6/7 Math
Strand E: Spatial Sense
Students constructed a 3D geometric shape from a self-designed net and created an ID card highlighting its mathematical properties. By drawing inspiration from government identification cards and Pokémon trading cards, the project connected geometry to familiar, real-world experiences while fostering creativity and mathematical communication. In this Grade 6/7 split classroom, differentiated instruction was incorporated by assigning grade-specific learning outcomes while engaging all students in the same collaborative inquiry task.
Students explored typography as both language and visual expression by experimenting with advanced digital design tools, investigating the origins of the Latin alphabet, and creating original typographic compositions. They then designed and developed their own original typeface, applying both technical and creative principles of font design.
Exploring 2D & 3D Shapes
Students worked collaboratively to observe, compare, and classify a variety of 2D and 3D shapes by identifying their defining attributes. Rather than beginning with lectures or definitions, the lesson encouraged inquiry, discussion, and collective knowledge building as students shared and refined their observations. In this Grade 6/7 split classroom, differentiated instruction was incorporated by assigning grade-specific learning outcomes while engaging all students in the same collaborative inquiry task.
Grade 6/7 Math
Strand E: Spatial Sense
Student Typography Art Club
Grade 6/7/8 Visual Arts
Creating and Presenting
Student Typography Art Club
Students explored the centuries-old art of water marbling through a STEAM-based inquiry, investigating how surface tension, paint density, and chemical interactions influence pattern formation. By connecting scientific concepts with historical art practices and hands-on experimentation, students discovered how science shapes artistic expression in both historical and contemporary contexts. Prior to teaching this lesson, I independently researched and refined the water marbling process through extensive experimentation, ensuring both technical proficiency and a thorough understanding of the scientific principles before leading students.