Domain II-Classroom Environment
Component 2a- Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport
Setting up expectations and building strong relationships with students are crucial to an effective classroom. The first week of school I built in many activities that helped my students and I get to know one another and helped my students understand what was expected. Together we created a mission statement for our classroom. We brainstormed ideas of what it means to be a good student and talked about what they wanted to get out of school. Each child traced, cut out, and signed their handprint and we hung them by our short and simple statement, "Learn, Listen and Be a Good Friend."
We also did and activity called the “Perfect” Class for snack. I had 5 ingredients that represented different aspects of school. Chocolate chips represented kind, sweet words, raisins represented hard work and respect, popcorn represented fun and laughter, marshmallows represented trying our best, and pretzels represented team players. At the end, after all the ooh’s and ahh’s died down, I brought out a rotten banana and tried to add it to the mixture. Of course, nobody wanted it in there. We then had a discussion on how the banana represented the mean words and actions that we do not want in our room.
Setting up expectations and building strong relationships with students are crucial to an effective classroom. The first week of school I built in many activities that helped my students and I get to know one another and helped my students understand what was expected. Together we created a mission statement for our classroom. We brainstormed ideas of what it means to be a good student and talked about what they wanted to get out of school. Each child traced, cut out, and signed their handprint and we hung them by our short and simple statement, "Learn, Listen and Be a Good Friend."
We also did and activity called the “Perfect” Class for snack. I had 5 ingredients that represented different aspects of school. Chocolate chips represented kind, sweet words, raisins represented hard work and respect, popcorn represented fun and laughter, marshmallows represented trying our best, and pretzels represented team players. At the end, after all the ooh’s and ahh’s died down, I brought out a rotten banana and tried to add it to the mixture. Of course, nobody wanted it in there. We then had a discussion on how the banana represented the mean words and actions that we do not want in our room.
Classroom Mission Statement, Created September 2014 and Posted Above SMART Board
"Perfect" Class Activity, September 2014
I put my hands together to represent our class as a team .
6TH GRADE
I believe in order to have an environment of respect and rapport, students have to acknowledge and learn about each other's similarities and differences. We also have to know how to resolve conflict. In my health curriculum, I have included conflict resolution lessons that tie in with the mental health unit. To be at peace with ourselves will then lead to us being able to be at peace with others. Learning to communicate, and not necesarrily in the way WE want, is crucial to respecting others. Below is an example of an activity we did for conflict resolution.
I believe in order to have an environment of respect and rapport, students have to acknowledge and learn about each other's similarities and differences. We also have to know how to resolve conflict. In my health curriculum, I have included conflict resolution lessons that tie in with the mental health unit. To be at peace with ourselves will then lead to us being able to be at peace with others. Learning to communicate, and not necesarrily in the way WE want, is crucial to respecting others. Below is an example of an activity we did for conflict resolution.
This activity can be found on Teachers Pay Teachers (https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Guidance-Lesson-for-Conflict-Resolution-Grades-4th-6th-2808882)
Component 2b- Establishing a Culture for Learning
I absolutely love to learn and I want my students to feel the same way. I want them to be able to connect their learning with real life experiences. While standing in line, I count them by 2’s and 5’s so they get practice hearing it and seeing that it is a skill you will need forever. I want them to be able to connect their learning to things in the classroom as well.
I believe that any work we do together should be meaningful. I did research prior to the school year, when I was figuring out what theme to make my classroom, on how to set up my classroom and found that it is more beneficial to have anchor charts and work my students have helped create on the walls than pictures and/or decorations that I like. Whenever we do a project in class, I display the work around the room for a week or so and then allow them to take it home afterwards. At the beginning of the year, we created About Me posters and hung them on a wire by the windows. They created them, presented them, and then hung them in our room for al to see.
I absolutely love to learn and I want my students to feel the same way. I want them to be able to connect their learning with real life experiences. While standing in line, I count them by 2’s and 5’s so they get practice hearing it and seeing that it is a skill you will need forever. I want them to be able to connect their learning to things in the classroom as well.
I believe that any work we do together should be meaningful. I did research prior to the school year, when I was figuring out what theme to make my classroom, on how to set up my classroom and found that it is more beneficial to have anchor charts and work my students have helped create on the walls than pictures and/or decorations that I like. Whenever we do a project in class, I display the work around the room for a week or so and then allow them to take it home afterwards. At the beginning of the year, we created About Me posters and hung them on a wire by the windows. They created them, presented them, and then hung them in our room for al to see.
Classroom Project, Displayed September 2014
In 6th grade, I encourage my students to be asking questions constantly. I want them to be curious and engaged and answering the questions they have has lead to some of the greatest discussions. 6th graders truly are naturally curious. They are coming to a time in life when they are exploring who they are becoming as people. Some of our students had some questions about others' religious backgrounds. As part of their World Religions section of Social Studies, we invited different parents in to discuss their relgious beliefs. I have never seen students ask such wonderful, deep questions. They were truly engaged and it was excited to see! Done in December 2018.
Anchor charts are a great way to create a classroom of learning. In Minnesota, all teachers I knew had them hanging and it showed in the students' ability to retain information. II start the year with pretty bare walls and tell my students that I want them to build this room to be something they can use- not just cute decorations. Below are some examples of charts that hang in my room.
Anchor charts are a great way to create a classroom of learning. In Minnesota, all teachers I knew had them hanging and it showed in the students' ability to retain information. II start the year with pretty bare walls and tell my students that I want them to build this room to be something they can use- not just cute decorations. Below are some examples of charts that hang in my room.
Component 2c- Managing Classroom Procedures
Classroom procedures are one of the most important aspects of a classroom. A classroom cannot run smoothly without them. For the first two weeks of school, I had my kids practice beginning and end of the day routines, quiet signals, putting things away in their lockers, using the restroom, coming to the carpet, getting supplies out, etc. Rotations were something I did very slowly. It took at least the first seven weeks with my group for them to do rotations independently, but they finally got it. We have created anchor charts together that we hang in the room as reminders and I have a SMART board file that shows group assignments and how students are expected to rotate.
Classroom procedures are one of the most important aspects of a classroom. A classroom cannot run smoothly without them. For the first two weeks of school, I had my kids practice beginning and end of the day routines, quiet signals, putting things away in their lockers, using the restroom, coming to the carpet, getting supplies out, etc. Rotations were something I did very slowly. It took at least the first seven weeks with my group for them to do rotations independently, but they finally got it. We have created anchor charts together that we hang in the room as reminders and I have a SMART board file that shows group assignments and how students are expected to rotate.
Morning and End-of-Day Routines, Created September 2014
6th graders, believe it or not, still need to have procedures. I post some, but really, practicing with them a lot at the beginning of the year is crucial. Some teachers just dive in assuming that they already know it, but they need to be reminded as well. We spend at least a couple weeks of time at the beginning to just learn and practice routines and procedures. Now, they know exactly what they need to do and it saves a ton of time to not have to constantly reteachr or even GO BACK and reteach. Being proactive is key. (March 2019)
Component 2d- Managing Student Behavior
I do not believe that students’ names should be individually and publically displayed in the room to help with behavior. However, I have a behavior chart I found and also one that my whole school uses that we have talked about and posted in the room. When I feel student behavior needs to be modified, I refer to those posters and have students check their behavior with thumbs up or thumbs down. For students who need extra support, I have come up with secret signals I can give them when they are getting out of hand so that I do not have to call on them publically when I can help it. When their behavior is exceptionally good, I will hand out Jaguar Pride cards that are used school wide. These positive behavioral strategies have definitely helped with the behavior in my room.
I do not believe that students’ names should be individually and publically displayed in the room to help with behavior. However, I have a behavior chart I found and also one that my whole school uses that we have talked about and posted in the room. When I feel student behavior needs to be modified, I refer to those posters and have students check their behavior with thumbs up or thumbs down. For students who need extra support, I have come up with secret signals I can give them when they are getting out of hand so that I do not have to call on them publically when I can help it. When their behavior is exceptionally good, I will hand out Jaguar Pride cards that are used school wide. These positive behavioral strategies have definitely helped with the behavior in my room.
Behavior Charts, Posted September 2014
I still use the above owls in my classroom for 6th grade and they work just as well!
Component 2e- Organizing Physical Space
The physical space of the classroom makes or breaks activities. The desks in our room are set up so that all my students can see the board and are able to turn and talk easily. I initially thought I would try table groups, but then realized that first graders would not be able to see the board very well. I then settled with a half square (like a half circle) with some desks in the middle facing the board. It has worked wonderfully well. I put the small, kidney teacher table in the corner farthest from the door so students would not get distracted with others walking by in the hall. Materials are out and clearly labeled so that students have complete access to them.
The physical space of the classroom makes or breaks activities. The desks in our room are set up so that all my students can see the board and are able to turn and talk easily. I initially thought I would try table groups, but then realized that first graders would not be able to see the board very well. I then settled with a half square (like a half circle) with some desks in the middle facing the board. It has worked wonderfully well. I put the small, kidney teacher table in the corner farthest from the door so students would not get distracted with others walking by in the hall. Materials are out and clearly labeled so that students have complete access to them.
Materials Set Out in Room, September 2014
"My space is their space." That is what I tell my 6th graders. Besides my desk, students can get into cupboards when they need materials. It works very well and saves on them constantly asking me for help or for some item. It also creates an environment where they know we share space and I don't control everything. Now, I do work in a charter school with a smaller class size, more respectful population of students, etc. so I wouldn't suggest that at every school, but it works where I am and makes it more comfortable for them.
Two Goals for Continued Learning
1) I would like to set a goal to be more organized in my classroom. My materials are visible and accessible, but my drawers, files, and other spaces could be more organized than they are. I feel like at the beginning of the year I did not quite know what to expect. I want to make it a goal to work on this over Christmas break.
2) Another goal I want to set for myself revolves around managing classroom procedures. Even though this year is going fairly well, I feel like my transitions could be quicker. Perhaps more anchor charts to aid in helping students know where to go next would help. Hallway and bathroom routines are exceptional, but in the classroom, my students often relax and I feel like there is more I could do as the teacher to help support that.
Two Practical Alternatives
1) An alternative activity for component 2a I have thought about trying next year involves teaching the students about the damage mean words can have on a person. After cutting out a paper heart, you have the class brainstorm unkind words or scenarios. Each time someone says something unkind you crinkle the heart up just a bit. This continues until the heart is crunched up in a ball. Then you try to straighten out the heart, but what the class will realize is that it can never be completely flat again. The moral of the activity is that mean words and actions stick with people and we should be careful with what we say and do.
2) I often have had students come to me about what to do next, how to solve something, or how to say a word. I believe a good alternative activity for component 2d would be, "Ask Three, Then Me." I could teach a mini lesson on how to ask three peers before asking the teacher and then hang a poster in the room as a reminder. I think this would not only alleviate my headaches that sometimes occur, but also the behavior issues that arise during those most independent times of the day.
1) I would like to set a goal to be more organized in my classroom. My materials are visible and accessible, but my drawers, files, and other spaces could be more organized than they are. I feel like at the beginning of the year I did not quite know what to expect. I want to make it a goal to work on this over Christmas break.
2) Another goal I want to set for myself revolves around managing classroom procedures. Even though this year is going fairly well, I feel like my transitions could be quicker. Perhaps more anchor charts to aid in helping students know where to go next would help. Hallway and bathroom routines are exceptional, but in the classroom, my students often relax and I feel like there is more I could do as the teacher to help support that.
Two Practical Alternatives
1) An alternative activity for component 2a I have thought about trying next year involves teaching the students about the damage mean words can have on a person. After cutting out a paper heart, you have the class brainstorm unkind words or scenarios. Each time someone says something unkind you crinkle the heart up just a bit. This continues until the heart is crunched up in a ball. Then you try to straighten out the heart, but what the class will realize is that it can never be completely flat again. The moral of the activity is that mean words and actions stick with people and we should be careful with what we say and do.
2) I often have had students come to me about what to do next, how to solve something, or how to say a word. I believe a good alternative activity for component 2d would be, "Ask Three, Then Me." I could teach a mini lesson on how to ask three peers before asking the teacher and then hang a poster in the room as a reminder. I think this would not only alleviate my headaches that sometimes occur, but also the behavior issues that arise during those most independent times of the day.