8. Creating a Safe Environment |
A classroom should be a safe haven for students to feel comfortable. They should be safe from their peers, safe from feeling inferior, and safe to learn from their mistakes. When your students walk into your classroom they should know exactly what is expected of them and their peers. If students do not feel safe then there is no learning in the classroom.
Make sure your students know your rules and procedures, you can even have your students come up with the rules as a class so they feel more invested in them! Keep your rules simple and easily visible in he classroom.
Here are my rules for my class that my students and I agreed upon.
Classroom Rules
1. Be prepared for class.
2. Treat all members in the class and the environment with respect.
3. Follow directions.
4. Listen actively.
5. Have fun while learning math!
Make sure your students know your rules and procedures, you can even have your students come up with the rules as a class so they feel more invested in them! Keep your rules simple and easily visible in he classroom.
Here are my rules for my class that my students and I agreed upon.
Classroom Rules
1. Be prepared for class.
2. Treat all members in the class and the environment with respect.
3. Follow directions.
4. Listen actively.
5. Have fun while learning math!
Not only are rules vital in a classroom but your classroom procedures are just as important, you need to know exactly how you want your classroom to run from the time they enter the classroom to the time they leave. Make sure you have a procedure for everything in your classroom! "Research shows that most behavior problems result from lack of classroom routines and procedures. Moreover, the number of interruptions to academic instruction are reduced and the class flows more smoothly" (K.J. Wagner). When planning your routines leave no room, practice those routines with your students until they show they know them, and lastly be consistent with them.
Here is an example of my classroom routines and procedures.
References:
Wagner, J.K. Routines and Procedures for Managing Your Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.educationoasis.com/instruction/cm/routines.htm
Wagner, J.K. Routines and Procedures for Managing Your Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.educationoasis.com/instruction/cm/routines.htm