Classroom Environment Plan

Classroom Environment Plan Heidi Doherty Grand Valley State University

Classroom Environment Plan The first day of school can set the tone for the entire year, so it is imperative that I have a well thought out game plan including some alternative plans in my back pocket to use if needed. As students enter the classroom, the teacher should be welcoming them at the door with a smile and a simple pleasantry. (Wong & Wong, 2009)This is the very first step to building relationships and starting to know the students. Throughout the year, this will be an indicator as to how a student is doing at the start of every day. If a student is having a bad morning, I can be proactive by taking a little time to find out what is going on and offer some support. This simple action can turn the whole day around for the student. Studies have shown that the relationship piece between students and teachers is one of the most important aspects of teaching. When there are strong relationships built, students feel more comfortable and are more motivated to learn what the teacher has to offer. It is not enough just to teach, teachers also have to authentically invest in their students, in order to have an optimal classroom environment. (Milner & Tenore, 2010) During the first week of school, while getting to know the students, it is the teachers job to explain how the classroom works, where things are, and how things are to be run. Taking the time to go through the routines and establish the expectations will save time and headaches in the long run. There will be numbers between 1-4 on each students desk. Displayed at the front of the room will also be numbers 1-4 and a description of what each number is responsible for. Example, 1-Supply Runner, 2-Recorder, 3-Timer, 4-Task Manager. Each student is then responsible for their numbered job for that week. The jobs will be rotated around so that everyone gets a turn at each job. This eliminates confusion, congestion, and arguments. It is also important that during the first week of school we talk about what kinds of behavior is expected, and what happens if a student decides to be disrespectful to peers and

Classroom Environment Plan teachers. I like to do this by coming up with a classroom social contract. The students are asked to think about how they want to be treated by other peers and the teacher. The class as a whole votes on the items to be included and then signs the contract. This hangs in a prevalent spot for all to see and to refer back to throughout the year. When someone breaks the contract, it needs to be brought to their attention immediately and if they choose to continue their behavior, they must be removed from the situation and write a PLAN. This includes what they were doing at the time and what they will do in the future as well as a face to face talk with all parties involved before being allowed to continue participating with the class. This is to help students start taking responsibility for their own actions. The goal is for the teacher to be a facilitator not a disciplinarian and for the students to have self-awareness of their own behavior. If at all possible, I prefer to have students seated at tables in groups. I advocate group work, collaboration and discussion. In order for this to be successful it requires instruction, practice and high expectations. When groups are working diligently and on task the noise level is elevated but not out of control. Group work is a great way to foster problem solving, social skills, and critical thinking. While monitoring the groups, positive reinforcement is given verbally to each group pointing out the things that they are doing well and asking them some guiding questions to help get them on the right track if needed. The room itself is warm, inviting, inspirational, and colorful. Plants, animals, posters, books, reading corners, and special centers are all incorporated. As new strategies are learned, they are also posted in the room as visual cues and reminders. As units change so do the books and learning centers. The classroom should feel comfortable, not too stark and not too messy, but just right.

Classroom Environment Plan Technology can enhance the classroom if available, but it is not necessary. Anything I can use to engage my students or spark further investigation on a subject is always welcome. I enjoy using technology to bring things to life that are sometimes difficult to model or investigate. Computers, Smartboards, I-pads, digital cameras and projectors can all be used to integrate and enrich lessons. Our students are digital natives, so using technology to teach can easily get them engaged and make strong connections for them. I use a course site to manage grades, keep in contact with parents, post announcements and newsletters as well as share study guides and webresources that will provide more exercise with subjects and practice quizzes. School is a magical place. Every day there are new opportunities waiting and a teacher there to guide discovery. Students need to feel that they are in a positive place. We can provide a nurturing environment where they can look forward to and be excited to come to every day. In order to help create this atmosphere, I must verbally tell the students the good things that they do and recognize good behavior as well as improvements that are made. Each week, I will select a star student, making sure that throughout the year each student has been selected. They will be able to bring in and share with the class their favorite things by posting them on a bulletin board. There will also be 2 students selected each week to receive phone calls home to tell their parents what a wonderful job they have been doing and one thing that really stood out to me that week. To keep the good vibes flowing, there will be multiple opportunities throughout the week for students to share good things that are going on in their lives. I will also have Doherty Dollars which will be handed out when I see students working well together, doing something nice for someone else, reaching a goal, or working diligently on a task. These Doherty Dollars can be traded in for small treats such as working on the floor, switching seats for a day, a homework

Classroom Environment Plan pass, picking a free school supply, or lunch/pizza with me. This is not to neglect the unfortunate things or unpleasant things in life, but to really accentuate and promote the good. I strive to produce an environment in which students will feel safe to take risks, compelled to ask questions, and have the freedom to express themselves. I feel that through good organization, clear expectations, building team work skills and fostering relationships, that this setting is attainable. Research has also shown that students are more engaged and motivated when they believe that they are encouraged to work collaboratively with peers, when they perceive their classroom as a place where their ideas are valued and when they view their teachers as caring and supportive. (Hadjioannou, 2007)

Classroom Environment Plan

References Hadjioannou, X. (2007, June). Bringing the Background to the Foreground: What Do Classroom Environments That Support Authentic Discussions Look Like? [Electronic version American Educational Research Journal, 44(2), 370-399. Milner, R., & Tenore, B. (2010, September). Classroom Management in Diverse Classrooms. Urban Education, 45(5), 560-603. Wong, H., & Wong, R. (2009). The first days of school: how to be an effective teacher. (4th ed.). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications.