Classroom Environment

I will do my best to create a positive classroom environment for all students. To begin, all students are given respect, and in turn are asked to give respect to the rest of the class. I hope to foster an environment laden with empathy for others, which we will gather from some of the texts that we will read.

General education students are given a safe environment in my class. This is a space where we accept others and are free to share. I foster this type of environment by showing off these qualities. When I am accepting of all students, students are more likely to be more accepting. When I am vulnerable with the class, students may also feel that they can be vulnerable as well. How I react in certain situations will set the tone for our class. I know that thought general education students usually appear fine, there can often be more going on than what is seen at the surface.

Low SES students often face many difficulties at home. I set up a positive and safe learning environment for them by always having supplies and breakfast bars for those who cannot afford to have either. As we know, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I have extra pencils, pens, binders, and notebooks for students who cannot afford these items. They are on a lending system. I want my students to be successful and I know that these are often tools to success. I aim not to draw attention to these students. I am also available to open my classroom to students before and after school if they need a quiet place to work and get homework done.

Students with disabilities will get the aid that they need. Students with physical disabilities will be given ample time to walk to and from my class, and given accommodations to complete assignments that are not possible with their disability. Students with learning disabilities and other disabilities will also be given the appropriate accommodations. I model acceptance of these students to the rest of the class so that they know that every student deserves to be treated with respect.

English language learners will also be given the help that they need. I encourage ELL students to use their own language in class, especially to help other students understand. I think that diversity in the classroom is a wonderful thing, and ELL students add to that diversity.

Layout: 

The classroom is set up into tables to encourage both group and independent learning. I set up my desk facing the door so that I can see whatever is going on in the hallway. There is ample room for students with physical disabilities to move about the classroom. Students are encouraged to ask their peers questions and work together when appropriate. These groups are their discussion groups and revising groups for the semester, until we change seats. The flexible seating in the back encourages students to relax and read together. It is also a good space to cool off if they are feeling overwhelmed in any way. 

Diagram:

Made at http://classroom.4teachers.org

WOW activity: The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. 

This WOW activity will be used to introduce The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton, which is (for pretend) the first book that we will read in the school year.

Supplies needed:

• Copies of the worksheet posted below.
• Colored pencils, crayons, markers.
• A synopsis of The Outsiders to read to your students. 

Step 1: Tell students that you will be beginning your first novel today, and it is called The Outsiders. Ask if anyone has read the novel before. Don't show them any cover designs.

Step 2: Pass out the worksheet for mystery cover designs. Tell the students that you will read the synopsis of The Outsiders and then they will have to design a cover for what they think the book should look like based on just the synopsis.

Step 3: Read the synopsis to the students.

Step 4: Give students time to do their cover designs, supplying them with any crayons or colored pencils you have.

Step 5: Have students share their covers in small groups, explaining two reasons why they made their covers the way that they did.

Here is the worksheet:

How I will promote a positive class environment throughout the entire school year:

I will promote a positive class environment throughout the entire school year by remaining a positive person. If I keep the positive energy up, my students will feel it. They will feel the love and care that I have for each of them and instill it in their own love for each other. I will be an active model to my students day after day so that they can be the same for others one day. 

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