2013-2014
Domain Two Reflection: The Classroom Environment
Each year I strive to create a comfortable learning environment for my students. It is my goal to create an atmosphere that students will enjoy coming back to on a daily basis. In order to achieve this goal, one of the first things that I do on the first day of school is establish is the list of class expectation. I have found that establishing rules helps to create a level of respect from the very start of the year. Being that I was out on maternity leave during the first half of the school year, I communicated with my leave replacement about the rules that I felt were important to establish at the beginning of the year. While I was out, she put these rules in place, making my return seamless. My students understand what is expected of them and I have found that when rules are established and agreed upon, students adhere to them very well and it eliminates negative student behavior. By also showing understanding and being a flexible but fair teacher, I have developed a positive rapport with each student that I have had in my classroom.
Upon entering my classroom it becomes apparent that the students are the heart of the room. I have purposely situated my desk toward the back of the room so the students are located right up front. I tend to keep the desks arranged in tables in order to promote collaboration among students and cut down on the time that it takes to break into groups when lessons call for it. Depending on the lesson, I have students arrange their desks in a way that promotes positive dialogue and invites constructive conversations. I aim to make the room visually stimulating as well. I have motivational posters and student work on the walls, and I have organized my room in a way that caters to students as well. This year I have once again included a “While You Were Out” board with folders that contain the work that we do on a weekly basis. I have found that this technique helps to build student responsibility, as they are accountable to obtain copies of the work in the event that they were absent. This year, with the changes in the NYS Common Core Standards, I have instituted a “Word of the Day” board that displays new vocabulary terms on a daily basis. The words chosen are higher-level vocabulary words taken from the assigned text for each unit. The students are responsible to come in and write down the Word of the Day as a daily routine before they begin the Do Now. Next to the “Word of the Day” board is my homework/reminders board. In the past I have put reminders on my e-board and written only the daily homework on the board, but I have found that it is helpful to display important reminders on my homework board as well. In the back of my room is my classroom library. I have built up a significant amount of grade-level appropriate texts for my students’ reading pleasure. I have many students that look to take books out from my personal library and it has proven to be very effective.
Upon entering my classroom it becomes apparent that the students are the heart of the room. I have purposely situated my desk toward the back of the room so the students are located right up front. I tend to keep the desks arranged in tables in order to promote collaboration among students and cut down on the time that it takes to break into groups when lessons call for it. Depending on the lesson, I have students arrange their desks in a way that promotes positive dialogue and invites constructive conversations. I aim to make the room visually stimulating as well. I have motivational posters and student work on the walls, and I have organized my room in a way that caters to students as well. This year I have once again included a “While You Were Out” board with folders that contain the work that we do on a weekly basis. I have found that this technique helps to build student responsibility, as they are accountable to obtain copies of the work in the event that they were absent. This year, with the changes in the NYS Common Core Standards, I have instituted a “Word of the Day” board that displays new vocabulary terms on a daily basis. The words chosen are higher-level vocabulary words taken from the assigned text for each unit. The students are responsible to come in and write down the Word of the Day as a daily routine before they begin the Do Now. Next to the “Word of the Day” board is my homework/reminders board. In the past I have put reminders on my e-board and written only the daily homework on the board, but I have found that it is helpful to display important reminders on my homework board as well. In the back of my room is my classroom library. I have built up a significant amount of grade-level appropriate texts for my students’ reading pleasure. I have many students that look to take books out from my personal library and it has proven to be very effective.
Domain Two Artifacts
Below are photos of my students conducting a Fishbowl Discussion. During a fishbowl discussion, students are asked to form a table in the middle of the classroom and create a circle around the center table with the remaining desks. The students at the center table lead an open conversation amongst themselves about the assigned topic (i.e., chapter review), while those seated on the outside take notes. As students discuss, I facilitate and guide conversation with verbal and written question prompts. Each student gets a chance to sit in the center and be a part of group discussion.
Below are pictures of how I utilize some of the board space within my room. I have designated boards for the Do Now & aim, as well as homework and reminders, which I update weekly. I also have a board for the "Word of the Day", which is something I implemented this year. The students are required to write each new word in their notes, and at the end of each day, I write the "Word of the Day" on an index card and post it on the designated "word wall" (not pictured).