Unit 2: What is Included in Classroom Environment?
Before You Start
Classroom environment is so important in the classroom. According to Joan Young, "simply put, students learn better when they view the learning environment as positive and supportive. A positive environment is one in which students feel a sense of belonging, trust others, and feel encouraged to tackle challenges, take risks, and ask questions." In this course, you will learn about the educational theories that will help you understand why classroom environment is important. You will then move onto what classroom environment is and what it consists of, and then finish off with looking at your classroom and the environment you have set up. In order to be successful in this course, you should read/watch the videos and think about things. Do not just read to read. Really think about what it means and think about your own classroom and how they relate.
Also, before you start, make sure you create an account with Proboards and FlipGrid so that you can participate in group discussions.
Module Objective
Participants will understand what makes a classroom positive and welcoming. They will also evaluate their own classroom environment.
Task 1
What Makes A Positive Classroom Environment?
In this first part of the unit, you will read and watch a few articles to figure out what makes a positive classroom environment.
Physical Surroundings: The first part to having a positive classroom environment is having a welcoming classroom physically. This involved what the classroom looks like, the space, the chairs, the desks... everything in the room. Watch this video to see what an example of what a classroom should look like to reinforce the idea of a positive classroom environment.
Kindness: The next part to having a positive classroom environment is creating a room that is full of kindness. You want kids to be able to talk and share ideas without feeling like anyone is judging them or shutting them down. A positive classroom environment is one where kids support one another and care for each other. Read this article to see why kindness is important in the classroom.
Teacher Words and Actions: Another thing that is needed in a positive classroom environment is positive teacher words and actions. The teacher needs to watch what they say, how they say things, and what they do. Everything the teacher does needs to remain positive and supportive towards the child. Read this article to see what the teacher should say and do to help create that positive environment.
Finally, read this article, How to Create a Positive Cloakroom Environment, that summarizes a few more things that go into creating a positive classroom environment.
These are just a few things that go into making a positive classroom environment, but if you have positive kids, a positive teacher, and a positive work space, everything falls into place.
After watching the videos and reading the articles, please log onto our discussion board on proboards and respond to the prompt Module 2: What Makes a Positive Classroom Environment.
Task 2
What is Your Classroom like?
Now that you just learned what it takes to make a positive classroom environment, it is time to think about your own classroom.
Thank about your own classroom:
1. What does your room look like? Does it support group work and experiments?
2. How do your kids respond to one another? Are they nice or rude to one another?
3. How do you respond to the kids?
These are just three questions to think about. After you have thought about that, I want you to complete the checklist provided here. The checklist is split up into different sections where you can rate yourself a 1, 2, or 3. There is a total of 63 points you can earn. If you get 40 points or less, you have some major work to do to creating a positive classroom environment. If you have between a 40-60, you are getting there, but there are still some improvements you need to make. Anything above a 60 means you currently have a positive classroom environment. Please take the time now to complete the checklist on your own classroom. Really think about and evaluate your classroom.
After you complete the checklist, think about what sections you need to improve or want to improve. When you have come up with an idea, log into flipgrid and answer the question about classroom environment: what would you like to include in your classroom to improve your classroom environment?
Task 3
Self Reflection
In this unit, you were able to look into what makes a positive classroom environment and then evaluate your own classroom. On a word document, please respond to the prompts below:
1. What do you believe is important to creating a positive classroom environment? Why?
2. When you were evaluating yourself, what section did you score a 3 in? What do you do in your classroom that gave you a 3?
3. When evaluating yourself, what section did you score a 1 in? What in your classroom gave you a 1?
4. If you had to pick 2 things to change in your classroom to make it more a positive environment, what would it be? Why?
In the next and final unit, you will focus on your own classroom environment. You will create a plan to improve your own classroom environment.
References
Proud to be Primary. (2018, February 07). Teaching Kindness in the Classroom. Retrieved from https://proudtobeprimary.com/teaching-kindness-classroom/
Building a Positive Classroom Culture and Climate. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://tilt.colostate.edu/teachingResources/tips/tip.cfm?tipid=136
How to Create a Positive Classroom Environment. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.teachmag.com/archives/7295