Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport

Explain how the classroom teacher established and maintained an atmosphere of trust, openness
and mutual respect in the classroom.

Upon entering the classroom, students would eagerly come up to the teacher to share anything and
everything from their weekend, or something they heard, or something they did yesterday. The
teacher was genuinely interested and engaged in what the students had to say. This built a strong
mutual respect between the teacher and the students. Even during the actual class time, the teacher
would often allow students to share in front of the class. In doing this, the teacher was careful of
allowing students to story tell without having it “sound like a brag”. By being aware of this, the
teacher was considerate of students who may not be able to have the same experiences or material
things that others have. In this way, the teacher is considering all students, no matter their
background or ability level. There were strong verbal and non-verbal examples throughout
instruction. One way that this was formed was by having student sign, ‘I agree’ instead of shouting
it out. By doing this, all students, no matter their verbal ability, are able to respond, and be
respectful of the student or teacher who may be sharing the idea.

Establishing a Culture for Learning to Encourage Student Engagement and Responsibility

Describe how the classroom teacher created a culture for learning in the classroom.
As previously stated above, students were actively engaged by the teacher as soon as they entered
the door to the classroom. Before the formal learning even took place, students were singing as
they sat in their spot. The teacher continued this engagement through their pacing of the lesson.
The teacher effectively incorporated several activities, manipulatives, and learning styles into the
lesson. By continuing to scaffold in new tools and ideas, the students are able to take their prior
learning, and put it to use with the new introduction. Throughout all grade levels, the students were
proud of what they were learning and creating, and were eager to show off their knowledge.
Students were engaged and excited about continuing their learning, especially when new materials
and concepts were introduced. The students, at all grade levels, wanted to know more and
experience more music.

Managing Classroom Procedures

Describe the classroom routines and procedures
Within the classroom, the teacher set the expectations for students to be responsible for their own
learning and actions. This included the passing out and putting away of materials, such as
instruments and visual aids. When playing instruments, the teacher was aware of the students’
actions, and would step in to remove an instrument if it was not being handled properly and
respectfully. In their instruction, the teacher had a great understanding of the pacing and
sequencing that was necessary for each of the grade levels and classes. The teacher efficiently used
the entire class period, even programming in a few minutes for an unrelated game at the end of
class. From their experience, the teacher knew what the classes needed, and how to maintain active
engagement from the students. The teacher often times had students aid in tasks in the classroom,
including handing out materials, allowing students to share a story while they prepared for the next
activity, and in preparing the classroom instruments. The teacher maintained a steady pace during
instruction and maintained student engagement.
Encouraging Appropriate Student Behavior
Describe the classroom management plan.
The teacher had established clear expectations for learning, behavior, and actions early on in the
instruction. Students were aware that if they were to behavior inappropriately, they would have to
come in during recess. In one lesson, a student was told to participate with the rest of the class, or
they would have to make up their participation points during recess. The students knew what
appropriate behaviors were, but at times would challenge the teacher. The teacher constantly
monitored the behavior inside the classroom. The teacher would often use a student behaving
correctly to serve as a model for others in the class. In this way, students felt that they should
behave how the classmate was.

Organizing the Physical Environment

Attach a simple sketch of the arrangement of the physical space of your classroom.

Board

Desk

Small instrument shelf

Book Sitting Area

Shelves
Piano

Reading
area Drums