Reflect upon your experiences this semester with meeting the competencies under Domain #2 (The Classroom Environment). Consider what artifacts and documents you have which fulfill this domain. You can reflect upon experiences from your field placement and in our methods course.
This blog represents the first draft of the reflective essay you will use for Domain #2 in your professional portfolio.
One artifact we could use for classroom environment is the mock classroom we set up earlier in the year. We were able to envision what our own room would look like and ways we could control it. I feel throughout the semester we have received a lot of handouts as well that can aid us in creating a learning environment beneficial to the student as well as ourselves.
ReplyDeleteAs far as placement, it has really helped me visualize some of the things I would like to do as far as tech in the class room. Mr. Lusk has also set up a very comfortable room for the students where they respect him, but aren't afraid to challenge him as well. This kind of relationship really helps the students think outside the box and make the most out of every class.
Domain #2 deals with the culture of learning and classroom management. This domain is very critical to the fundamental principles of teaching a simple lesson in social studies or any other subject. For me, the experience I have had in growth in the area has been exemplified in my field experience.
ReplyDeleteFirst is the area of creating a culture of learning. In the methods course we learned ways to make the classroom open to the world and every point of view. I have learned ways to teach students to be good citizens. In addition, I have learned ways to include ELL learners into the everyday classroom academically. The resources I have acquired in the methods course have been scholarly research on different activities. In addition, I have been given resources that I can look at in order to create case studies of countries. I have learned about the idea of cooperative learning which is not only putting students in groups but the method of pushing critical thinking. The teacher is the facilitator.
In the field, I have acquired many different artifacts that I may use some day as a teacher. Mr. Lister has been supplying me with so much material that I could use. For example, he has given me something called APE or alternative program for education. When students misbehave, he has them go through this program in order to create a classroom environment free of misbehavior and full of learning. Also, he has given some great ideas on ways to set-up my classroom, such as a U-shape desk that facilitates learning and discussion among all the students. Mr. Lister also gave me a great resource created by the Lower Dauphin School District that gives ideas for alternative classroom culture through reading.
The classroom management technique has also been something I have acquired more resources in. The methods course has taught the different approaches to teaching. I have come to realize that I am a teacher that follows the Dreikers Method. I have learned to put myself into the position that allows me to me the center of the classroom while I allow the students to take on some of the responsibility for learning. I believe that this is the best artifact I have from the methods course because everything else supplements this method. I have also had the opportunity to use Microsoft Viso to create the ideal classroom.
In the field, I have had the opportunity to learn firsthand how to manage a classroom. First, time management is essential; too much time is bad because one cannot finish a lesson and not enough time is bad because the students see that a teacher is not serious about teaching. Second, I have learned ways to get everyone to participate. It is sometimes hard but I believe that creating a classroom where the students can see that I am in the leading role and I care about them allows them to be more willing to cooperate.
The entirety of this semesters class has been focused specifically on fostering a good classroom environment through time management, classroom layouts, discovering the type of instructor I wish to be and how to run a multicultural and safe classroom. All of these are important when considering what artifacts I might put under Domain #2.
ReplyDeleteIn terms of actual documents to place into this section, I would definitely consider the Visio classroom assignment. It's the best artifact I have currently to show how I wish to establish my classroom physically and what type of learning culture I wish to foster.
While in the field, I came across multiple styles for effective classroom management, in particular guided reading activities and in certain cases the very decorations of the classroom to create a more calming environment, while maintaining students focus on the need to learn and interact positively with other students and still respect the educator. The amount, and sometimes lack, of technology being utalized in the classrooms at Lower Dauphin was interesting as well, especially observing how it could hinder a class or slow down the pace, which caused the students to grow restless and disengaged. All of these are important when considering how I would like to set up my own classroom, and forced me to ponder over the negatives of techniques I may have been thinking of using.
Domain 2, in my opinion, one of the most important domains to making your classroom successful. Having a safe and secure classroom where every body feels comfortable is critical to my students learning. I have learned a lot about this domain from class and my field placement. From my field placement I have learned that creating an environment of fun is important to the students learning. My first experience teaching in the class was very straight forward and dry. I was not comfortable with the students, and you could tell they were not comfortable with me. The class did not go as well as I thought, because of this uncomfortable feeling. The second time i taught the students and I were much more relaxed. The class went really well and we were both more comfortable, and therefore it was more fun! If I can make my classroom fun and comfortable it be a good career.
ReplyDeleteFrom class I have learned several classroom management techniques, including Teacher Effectiness (the method that I would like to implement my class). This gives the students a hand in their behavior. It is very student centered management technique which I think will make my students more attentive and enjoy my class more.
I will definitely use my classroom set up plan that we created in class. Also my Personal education theory will be included. It shows how I feel my classroom should be run. I love Domain 2 and will continue to look for artifacts.
Domain 2 is essential to every educator in that it's the first clue into your 'unique teacher personality' and it literally helps everyone to feel safe and comfortable to learn. Domain two is one of my favorites. It really lets you get creative and physically show others your teaching style.
ReplyDeleteThroughout my time at Lower Dauphin Middle School I was able to see various classrooms and known right away a teacher's particular style.
For example: my co-op has a very consevative classroom.. Overall it is pretty dry: three or four posters, two quotes, and a word wall with a review sheet next to it. He sits at the front corner of the class. He has a television but rarely uses any form of technology. He prefers a discussion based activity or an interactive one over lecture or media.
I did get to see other classrooms, such as Bill's co-op, who's room is based around a projector which he uses for powerpoint and other media such as videos. The classroom is filled with posters and other asthetic touches that liven up the classroom and really give it an Americana feel, such as a bull skull, cacti, and a record player.
It really made me curious about my classroom environment style when I got a chance to create it on Visio. I really like both aspects: the straight-forward one and the decorated one. When I created my classroom I tried to balance both. It really helped me come into my own style. Since I prefer to have the students take a majority of classroom responsibility I set my classroom up in a sort of untraditional way: a semi circle of rows. This allowed for easy seating patterns and defined rows so I could keep students on task and organized. However the semi circle allowed for discussions and a better sense of equality. I also incorporated a projector and screen, but of to the side, since I want to incorporate media, but not all the time.
Classroom management goes beyond simply making sure the children follow the rules. It requires you to create an environment that encourages and engages students in learning.
ReplyDeleteAs part of development in this domain competency, I have constructed an ideal seating arrangement for what I would like my class to be like. While I have authoritarian, teacher-centered, column seating, I would really like to have an atmosphere of comfort and safety.
I would like to be in a situation where it is simple to form discussion groups by simply modifying the desk arrangment. By doing so I can completely alter the classroom environment toward one of discussion and shared learning.
I will expect my students to Respect above all else, myself, the school, and each other. For a middle school class I would elaborate on specifics, but I would leave it to the highschool students to understand what I mean. I feel that respect is the only rule necessary for kids to understand where their place is in the classroom and gives them the positivity in their doing something as opposed to the lack or prohibition of something. I have observed quite often the results of not maintaining a strong maangement style.
I hope I will have the resources to decorate my room somewhat elaborately. I want the students to know they're walking into a Social Studies class when they walk in my room and I want them to feel it. I want my students to understand that learning is a gift and it's not something we should take for granted.