Reflections on Classroom Climate

  The first week of school is going to be the most crucial part of my teaching career. I will have to lay down the rules, seek my student’s needs and clarify the expectations I want from them, but also what expectations they are looking in me as their "teacher & mentor".  Promote how important communication is. Once the class is clear on what the rules are, have them posted up in the classroom as a daily reminder.  Discuss positive reinforcement and behavioral rewards. "Students will often misbehave if they don't know exactly what they should do and when. Teachers can avoid this dilemma by installing class routines and procedures, which allow the student to begin and complete work expeditiously [RW,19]."

  Creating that warm and nurturing environment. Decorating my classroom to the fullest with posters, pillows, and animals.  I will think about when I was in Elementary school and what do I remember the most.  What things did I love about school back then? My mentor-teaching portion will also guide me in the right direction as to what works and what does not work. Making the classroom learning environment fun. Schools exist for the students, and not for the teachers. It is important for the teacher to expend every effort necessary to make the curriculum relevant, the lessons interesting, and the activities enjoyable. The result will be an engaged and active participant in the learning process.

  How I will treat my students---Greeting them one by one as they enter my "home", the classroom.  I must keep in mind that the days can go by quickly. I must make every minute count. "As part of an effective routine, it is best for students to begin work immediately after the bell rings [215]. " I will have my morning meetings lead directly into the day's lesson. I must set the also remember to set a positive tone for our morning meetings.  I am really excited to buy this book and start to develop my list of "morning meetings" I will use.  My favorite one is using a beanbag to toss around to each student. This gives everyone a chance to speak out and reflect on his or her previous day. 

  

  I believe if I have success with my "tattling vs. bullying" lesson the first week then I will be setting a good tone for the year. However, some students can still misbehave. Misbehavior is a disruption to my effectiveness as an educator. The time spent dealing with misbehaving would be better spent teaching the others. Therefore, misbehavior will be dealt with quickly and consistently with class defined consequences.  This all goes back to me establishing the rules and guidelines the first day. 

  As a teacher it is really important to create that safe learning environment for your students. You want them to come to school excited to learn.  I really was touched by what Ken Robinson said in this video.  He says teachers should "mentor, stimulate, provoke & engage".  Teachers should allow freedom of creativity.  If I continue to work daily with my students and actively develop my skills, this is going to help me manage my classroom to its full potential. 

Resources: 

"Building Classroom Discipline", 5th Edition, by C.M. Charles

"Instructional objectives,determine selection of tools"

  Technology is on the rise today, so it's important for teachers to incorporate these technologies in the classroom. When using digital tools in a classroom it is important to first think about what you want to achieve and how you will achieve that goal/lesson.
Students today are actually more inclined to find information online than they are in a physically library.
You need to ask yourself as a Teacher some preliminary questions:

• What age are the students I am teaching?
• Which ones require that extra special attention? Learning Disabilities?
• How will I engage the students?
• How will I teach the plan so that the lesson is effective?

  From my own personal research with interviewing other teachers, its important you take these questions into consideration.  Then set up the classroom accordingly.  Keeping the ones with visual impairments closely.  Showing the tools to the children first on a large screen is important and keeping them engaged by using a smartboard.  Asking questions to the students and allowing them to ask questions about the digital tool.  Having them practice at home.  With guided technology application and instruction, we are actually allowing the students interact with the tool and provide feedback.   

  I would also make a list of apps/programs that would work for each subject I am teaching.  Break it done by simplicity.  Practice using the tool myself and familiarizing myself with the tool.  So that I can fully demonstrate it to my classroom. If you don't demonstrate and sort out who needs more help then others, you aren't going to have a productive lesson plan. 

  Thinking about my students that I want to teach, 2nd graders: Educational gaming is a great tool.  Research has proven that educational gaming not only improves their technology skills but also improves skills in communication and collaboration, problem-solving and various number-related skills. 

  I want to prepare my students for the future and the next grade level.  By demonstration and use of the apps they should be have the ability to: 

• Process information more quickly
• Determine what is and is not of relevance to them
• The child will think they are "playing" but actually they are "learning"
• Use these computer skills in their future.

A critical piece to any classroom project "is accessing, sorting, and processing information, exploring possibilities to identify problem solutions, and collaborating with others (both live and asynchronously) in order to achieve a goal." (Kloper,2012).  Digital tools are proven to be way more engaging then a typical lecture, so through thorough demonstration you can be successful.