Classroom Climate
A positive and work-oriented classroom climate is not formed organically. Rather it is formed through intentional planning, clear objectives, and implementation through both tangible and intangible reinforcers, objects, actions, and behaviors. According to Linda Albert one of the most important factors in school success is the fostering of capability in the students. (Charles & Senter, 2005, p.205) It is important that the classroom environment encourages and empowers students to be confident in their abilities and feel free to learn and make mistakes. According to Marzano, positive student teacher relationships are the keystone to all aspects of classroom management and thus my classroom climate will also be focussed on developing and reinforcing those relationships (2003). Therefore my classroom climate will be aligned around four key feelings:
- Community
- Work-oriented
- Learning as a journey
- Capable
- Positivity
Community
Students, like all humans, desire connection and a sense of belonging in their world (. In the classroom we have a chance to achieve those goals by creating a climate where students feel like they belong and are a key part of something bigger than themselves. As a teacher I will promote this through the following tangible and intangible things:
Tangible
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Intangible
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Work-Oriented
In my classroom it is important that students are focussed and geared towards learning. The way that I structure and organize the classroom will go a long way towards keeping students in the right mental set (Marzano, 2003) and establishing a work-oriented culture without a word being spoken.
Tangible |
Intangible |
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Learning as a Journey
Learning is a journey that everyone is on. Each students has their own journey and are at different points along the way. The key is to keep moving onward and If my students can grasp that I believe they will not only succeed but also help each other progress forward. Therefore, learning and instruction should make students feel challenged but capable and the classroom climate should support the students steps on their journey.
Tangible
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Intangible
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Positivity
Going hand hand with encouraging students to view learning as a journey is the maintaining of a positive classroom climate. By having a positive environment and expectations will help students attitudes and guide students towards learning.
Tangible
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Intangible
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Classroom Arrangement
My classroom will be arranged to promote group work and that is why I chose tables rather than individual desks. I believe that it is important that students feel involved and that they belong to the class, and this arrangement helps achieve those goals. As I desire my students to lead their learning I have centered the classroom around their workstations rather than my own desk and whiteboard. Surrounding the students are various resources that they can access to aid their studying and to store their projects in an organized fashion.
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(classroom.4teachers.org)
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