A learning environment refers to the characteristics of the classroom that facilitate in student learning. These characteristics include desk arrangement, classroom procedures, and the grading scheme.
Desk arrangement and classroom set-upI think desk arrangement is extremely important in creating a positive learning environment. The environment that students learn in, directly relates to the learning that takes place. I would like to organize the students desks or tables similar to the picture above. The desks would all be facing one direction in order to create sufficient eye contact between the students and the teacher. I like the layout above because it would be easy to move desks and get into small groups quickly. People make the argument of having desks in prearranged groups in order to minimize the transition time between instruction and group work. I think its important to mix up the small groups and have students work in a variety of different groups. The classroom set-up would have the desks in two diagonal rows (stadium seating) that are facing the white/chalk board in the front. This set-up would facilitate student learning by being easily movable into small groups, student attention toward the front, and give leaves an open space in the middle of the room for the teacher to walk around and for the students to move their chairs into groups. The classroom walls will be covered with maps that will reflect the content we will be learning. Maps of North America, Europe, and Asia will be important to have to point out corresponding information we learn, to the actual location of those place. I also think it is beneficial to have a poster of all the presidents that have served for the United States. This will become a image that students can refer back to when thinking about timelines and events and specifically who was in charge during that time. Other intriguing classroom items to have would be famous artwork throughout history. This could include artwork from the Renaissance period, Civil War, Great Depression, Native American artwork, photos from Vietnam or even ancient Egyptian or Chinese artwork would all create parallels between students' thoughts and the content being learned. http://thecornerstoneforteachers.com/classroom-seating-arrangements |
Classroom ProceduresIt is important to establish a baseline of procedures which your students can refer back to. An important classroom management procedure to use would be an entering the room procedure. The procedure for entering my classroom would also relate to the classroom etiquette I would instill. I will encourage students to leave their negative factors in life at the door and to sit down at their seats by the time the passing bell rings. While the students are coming into the classroom, I will have a fun history question of the day in which the different class periods I have throughout the day will answer and earn points for their class. The class with the highest amount of points at the end of the semester will receive candy.
The next procedure is handing in assignments. If an assignment is due, I will take time during class before the assignment is handed in for any questions the students might have on the assignment. Too often students have anxiety over the correctness of the assignment. This procedure would allow students to ask any clarifying questions about the assignments in order to reduce anxiety. The assignments will then be collected after questions are answered. My absent student procedure will take place during the time students are taking their seats and trying to answer the history question of the day. I will briefly meet with absent students and fill them in on what they missed along with the assignment they need to complete for the following class period. This will allow absent students to receive one on one instruction and allow them to get caught up without taking any instructional class time away from the other students. An overall procedure that I would like to incorporate immediately upon meeting my students would be classroom etiquette. This would entail the respect that each student will be given at all times, the respect for the teacher and the encouragement to ask controversial questions. If the students understand the etiquette that will be instilled in the classroom, it will lead to an exciting class where students can share their opinions openly and learn from one another. |
Grading SchemeI think grading scheme will depend on the school and the district policies but if given a choice I would implement a unique grading scale. The grades would be be a mixture of formative and summative assessments that will cater to the multiple intelligences students learn through. Out of 100% of the grading, formative and summative assessments would each cumulatively account for 40% of the class. With 80% of the class already taken up, 20% of the class would go under the category of participation. This strategy of grading would propel students into participation and help alleviate the anxiety over assessments. Learning happens best when it takes place in a relaxing environment filled with enthusiasm. The participation would be measured by the students being active and engaged in small group discussion, peer teaching, think-pair-share, informal group presentations, and also the classroom etiquette toward other students while they are presenting or sharing information.
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