Standard #3: Learning Environments
The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.
Artifacts:
Reflective Statement:
The environment of one's classroom is vital for both the students and the teacher. The environment helps contribute to the students' learning and the overall comfort and feel of the classroom. This standard emphasizes how important the classroom environment is in creating both individual and cooperative learning, a positive environment, and a place children will want to learn.
The images I included above as my artifacts display the many ways that I have helped to create a classroom environment that encourages both individual and collaborative learning. All of these pictures are from my fall 2014 student teaching placement in a second grade classroom at Dyersville Elementary School. At Dyersville Elementary, the principal advocates the use of anchor charts, because of this, I have helped to create many anchor charts in my cooperating teacher's classroom. Anchor charts are visual reminders that make learning accessible to students. These anchor charts help to create a more positive environment in the classroom. Several of the charts lay out the expectations of the classroom. The students are able to easily see what is expected of them during different times of the day. For example, we have anchor charts for the listening center, partner reading, and one for whole group instruction. By having these displayed in the classroom, I am able to easily point to them in case students need a reminder of what they should be doing, or how they should be behaving. These charts help to create a more organized, consistent classroom. In addition, by having anchor charts in the classroom, they encourage both individual and collaborative learning. Charts such as: how to pick the right library book, math facts, and literacy centers all encourage independent learning. With these charts, students are able to complete tasks without the teacher having to explain each step explicitly. Furthermore, some of the charts display and encourage collaborative learning. For example, our literacy centers chart has students in groups. Students can work together, ask each other questions, and hold each other accountable for what task they should be doing. Again, students have the opportunity to work together, while also being independent with the use of our many anchor charts. Finally, I have learned the importance of a strategic seating arrangement for an optimal learning environment. A good seating chart encourages independent and collaborative learning. Students should be placed so that they can easily see the board, and be able to work with partners when necessary. However, I have also learned not to make a seating chart "too" collaborative, because it may encourage excessive talking. In addition, I have learned the importance of getting to know one's students when making a good seating arrangement. Now that I know my students well, I know which students to put together to encourage collaboration, and which students to separate to avoid misbehavior.
These artifacts help show my development as a teacher thus far. During my time at Dyersville, I have learned how vital the classroom environment is. I have learned the importance of displays and anchor charts in the classroom, as well as seating arrangements. I now know that I can encourage independence by having expectations, schedules, and helpful reminders posted around the classroom. In addition, a seating chart can make all the difference in encouraging different students to work with one another, and avoid misbehavior with others. I have learned that these displays, charts, and seating arrangements help create a better environment for both the students and the teacher.
The images I included above as my artifacts display the many ways that I have helped to create a classroom environment that encourages both individual and collaborative learning. All of these pictures are from my fall 2014 student teaching placement in a second grade classroom at Dyersville Elementary School. At Dyersville Elementary, the principal advocates the use of anchor charts, because of this, I have helped to create many anchor charts in my cooperating teacher's classroom. Anchor charts are visual reminders that make learning accessible to students. These anchor charts help to create a more positive environment in the classroom. Several of the charts lay out the expectations of the classroom. The students are able to easily see what is expected of them during different times of the day. For example, we have anchor charts for the listening center, partner reading, and one for whole group instruction. By having these displayed in the classroom, I am able to easily point to them in case students need a reminder of what they should be doing, or how they should be behaving. These charts help to create a more organized, consistent classroom. In addition, by having anchor charts in the classroom, they encourage both individual and collaborative learning. Charts such as: how to pick the right library book, math facts, and literacy centers all encourage independent learning. With these charts, students are able to complete tasks without the teacher having to explain each step explicitly. Furthermore, some of the charts display and encourage collaborative learning. For example, our literacy centers chart has students in groups. Students can work together, ask each other questions, and hold each other accountable for what task they should be doing. Again, students have the opportunity to work together, while also being independent with the use of our many anchor charts. Finally, I have learned the importance of a strategic seating arrangement for an optimal learning environment. A good seating chart encourages independent and collaborative learning. Students should be placed so that they can easily see the board, and be able to work with partners when necessary. However, I have also learned not to make a seating chart "too" collaborative, because it may encourage excessive talking. In addition, I have learned the importance of getting to know one's students when making a good seating arrangement. Now that I know my students well, I know which students to put together to encourage collaboration, and which students to separate to avoid misbehavior.
These artifacts help show my development as a teacher thus far. During my time at Dyersville, I have learned how vital the classroom environment is. I have learned the importance of displays and anchor charts in the classroom, as well as seating arrangements. I now know that I can encourage independence by having expectations, schedules, and helpful reminders posted around the classroom. In addition, a seating chart can make all the difference in encouraging different students to work with one another, and avoid misbehavior with others. I have learned that these displays, charts, and seating arrangements help create a better environment for both the students and the teacher.