Standard 3: Learning Environments
-The teacher works with learners to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.
I try to make my classroom a place where every student feels comfortable, safe, and is able to learn and focus. I accomplish this through my classroom set up and my rules and procedures. Students are seated in tables. This fosters community and cooperation through activities with their peers. Students have to trust and rely on one another to be able to learn and grow. I move students seats periodically to mix up the groupings, strategically pair students together, or problem solve behavior issues. I also have classroom rules that students have helped to decide on, but they reflect my belief that every student should feel safe, valued, and welcome in my classroom. I reinforce positive behaviors I see through a clip system. Students have the chance to earn prizes every time they clip up to "super student". The prizes get better for each consecutive time they move their clip up. After 3 times of being a "super student", the student is inducted into the super student hall of fame. I try to "catch" students doing things to reinforce the idea that doing the right thing is important, even when you think no one is watching. I also have a whole class reward system where we earn class parties by filling a jar of marbles. The students get to pick their reward by a democratic nomination and voting process.
I also feel it is very important that students are invested in the success and smooth running of our classroom. This means they take an active part in how the classroom functions. Every student has a job that is changed weekly. Jobs range from leadership positions, decision makers, taking care of equipment and belongings, to maintaining a clean classroom.
To support engagement, I often have students do physical movements to demonstrate knowledge. I ask students to explain their thinking to me, the class, a neighbor, or an elbow partner. I restate concepts in different ways, use visuals and student friendly language to help support learning.
I also feel it is very important that students are invested in the success and smooth running of our classroom. This means they take an active part in how the classroom functions. Every student has a job that is changed weekly. Jobs range from leadership positions, decision makers, taking care of equipment and belongings, to maintaining a clean classroom.
To support engagement, I often have students do physical movements to demonstrate knowledge. I ask students to explain their thinking to me, the class, a neighbor, or an elbow partner. I restate concepts in different ways, use visuals and student friendly language to help support learning.