2a. Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport
A teacher must be sensitive to her students and their diverse needs. It is essential for educators to show respect, fairness, and warmth toward his or her students.
Here is a photograph of me circulating around the room during an independent work period. During these times, I am able to check in with students one-on-one in order to provide individualized feedback.
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Teachers need to have a strong belief in the content they are teaching. By setting high expectations for each and every student, students will be more likely to remain engaged and invested in their learning.
Here is a photograph of the classroom self-assessment poster. At the close of each lesson, children are asked to report their level of understanding to the teacher. The teacher can use this as a tool to gauge the level of understanding of his or her students.
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2c. Managing Classroom Procedures
Coherent routines are crucial for young students. Clear expectations of procedures and constant communication allow for smoother transitions.
Here a copy of the classroom daily schedule. The sequence of procedures is updated at the start of each morning in order to keep students informed of the events of the day.
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Positive student behavior is an essential aspect of a smoothly run classroom. Teachers must provide motivation and inspiration for their students at every opportunity possible.
Here is a picture of a behavior reward system used in my classroom. The students are asked to notice the positive behavior of their peers throughout the school day. When one student is observed by another to have exceedingly good behavior, they earn "warm fuzzies" (miniature craft store pom-poms). The fuzzies are collected into their own personal bucket.
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When a classroom is structured and organized, students are easily able to navigate around the space and select appropriate tools and materials to use.
Here are photos of the classroom library. The books are grouped (by topic, author, series, etc.) for the students in order for it to be easier to choose a something that is both interesting and appropriate during independent reading time.
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