Establishing a Positive Classroom Environment

     I am often told that I am a child at heart.  As a future teacher I believe that this is a characteristic that helps me greatly.  I vividly remember my childhood experiences, I remember how I felt.  The is why it is extremely important to me that I provide the best environment for my future students.

     Let's face it as children we spend a lot of our lives in a classroom.  The classroom becomes your second home, teachers and school staff members become extended family. For many students it may be their only source of positive encouragement.

     I plan on teaching Kindergarten, for many children this is their first time away from their parents, or in a classroom for longer hours. It's important that not only is the decor of my classroom warm and inviting but my demeanor is as well.  I will be the first person to great them as they enter the classroom.  Bending down to their level (eye contact) a warm smile and friendly tone as I greet them and make sure that I pronounce their name correctly. I want to make sure that I get to know my students, If possible I would reach out to the parents before class starts and ask them to fill out an all about their child survey.  Getting to know them survey, questions about their siblings, nickname, their interest etc.  I was a one to one para for a child who was obsessed with dinosaurs, to get him to learn how to count and recognize numbers past 5 I created a set a flash cards with yep, you guessed it dinosaurs on them.  Needless to say my student learned how to count way past 5 with the use of the flash cards.

     My classroom needs to be one that connects to children.This will be our second home.  It will  contain colors and decor that represent the diversity of  each and every one of them.  Every aspect of my classroom will represent the different cultures, backgrounds, genders, races.  Even if a particular background isn't represented by a student it will still be reflected in my classroom.  I will also incorporate the cartoons and toys of today that children watch.  Its important to me that I study my "client", do my research.  My children grew up with Dora and Diego, but that isn't the case of today.  Paw Patrol, Team Umizoomi, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Doc McStuffins are just some of the cartoons of today. This also gives you an opportunity to expose them to cartoons of yesterday that may help with lessons.  Thank goodness for YouTube!   My goal is to relate to my students.  I have sat in many of classroom and heard students mention a cartoon and the teacher had no idea what they were talking about.  It doesn't take much to turn to nickelodeon or disney channel to see what's on today.   I will incorporate these and other characters and the  backgrounds of the students themselves into my lesson plans.  I will have worksheets that will use various characters.  These will make my lessons engaging and making my students very comfortable.

      It important to me that I create a warm, safe and nurturing environment that is conducive for learning and teaching.  At this age its important to teach them healthy behavior.  The importance of ownership, sharing, being encouraging, learning to make mistakes are  just a few elements that I will implement in my classroom.  Teaching children at an early age the importance of treating everyone with respect will help to create a positive classroom environment.   I will have classroom rules posted throughout the room to emphasize these behaviors.
   

     Positive reinforcement is also important in a classroom. Rewards are ways to create a positive classroom environment.    I will also provide a lot of group activities that will give the student a chance to work together and learn from one another.  It will also foster friendships.  I plan to also play with my students as well. Many teachers don't play with their student.  I feel they are missing out when they don't do this.  In my classroom I will incorporate movement time.  This is when you put on a quick dance video conducive to their age and dance to it.  Its a great transitioning tool, as well as a bonding tool.  It also provides a great workout.  :)  Here is a link to a pretty popular dance video:https://youtu.be/5hn61z3FlMQ                          

     Listening to my students is also something I feel that will help create a positive classroom environment.  When a student feels that you care about them that builds a bond.  The student will feel comfortable and will perform better. It also gives you a chance to learn more about that student and find out there special talent.  Every child has their unique way of learning things and you want them to feel comfortable with their way.  It is also important to keep the parents involved and informed on what is going on in the classroom.  Weekly newsletters are just one way to keep parents informed of what is going on in their class.  Birthday celebrations, School trip volunteers and holiday potlucks are another way to get parents involved as well.

     To sum it all up a positive environment is the building block in the development of a child.   It's just not about learning material. Creating a classroom where each child feels a sense of belonging is my goal.