Module 4, Unit 1, Activity 3

                                      Establishing a Positive Classroom Environment/Climate
                                                                   By: JoBea Genama

The classroom climate is being established on the first day my students enter my classroom.

It is very important that the classroom is set up in a way that it is warm and welcoming to all. This can be established by having pictures and charts displayed at eye level, and using fun colors as well.

                                     

                                                               Student/Teacher Interaction         

The interaction between the teachers and their students is very important in establishing how successful the school year will be. I am very hands on, and interactive with my students on a daily basis. I engage in the different self initiated things they are doing, ass well as assignments I have given them to complete. By being available to them I think it allows them to view me as someone who is there to be there for them because I care, versus just another authoritative figure in their life.Trying out different teaching strategies with them, lets me also develop a rapport with them as I am learning how to meet their individual leaning needs/styles.

                                                Classroom Behavior and Expectations

Classroom management plays a huge role in the positive learning environment for your class. For myself a lot of my students coming into my class are first time students who have never been away from home. This could be a huge transition for them, as well as those students who have been in prior less structured learning environments. I like to set my expectations for my class within the first week of school. We set our class rules together, I let them know what I expect from them ( such as always trying their best, and letting them the words " I can't do it " are not allowed because they can do anything they try to achieve), and I also ask them what they expect from me as well so I can get some insight into their expectations of school.

                                                           Student/Teacher Relationship

I tell all my  co teacher friends of higher grades all the time that I have the best grade/age there is.I feel this way because my young kindergartners are still so fresh and mold able. They come in eagerly wanting to absorb ass I have to offer them. They are old enough for me to start teaching them independence, however they are still young enough for me to provide daily nurture and hugs. I show my students through my daily actions that I care about them. This is done by getting on eye level when speaking to them, never speaking "at" them, and allowing them to voice their concerns/feelings

                                                 Peer Interaction and Cultural Diversity

It is not only important for teachers to  have a great relationship with the students, but it is also valuable for the students to establish great interactions relationships with each other as well. I promote this by changing the seating arrangement every 9 weeks, so that students are grouped with different peers at their tables, by putting group of students together for group assignments who usually do not interact with each other, and by playing ice breaker games where students have to work together to win or accomplish the desired end goal. This not only builds interactions amongst their peers, but it also introduces them to different culture ideas and backgrounds as well. Another way I welcome cultural diversity within my classroom is to have an international day. On this day parents are welcome to come in and share along side of their child things are special about their culture ( I used to also have them bring in food, but with food allergies being on high alert I had to eliminate that from their presentation). I also have a variety of pictures displayed around the classroom of different ethnic groups that represents students in my class, as well as around the world.           

Anti Bullying Strategies

By me setting up the rules and expectations early on in the school year, I believe I am setting a precedence of being proactive in reducing the chances for bullying to occur. Not only will the expectations reestablished with my students,but they will be established with my parents as well. There will be no tolerance of being mean,or unkind to any peers. Teaching students of this young age, I don't think they have an understanding of what being a bully really entails. I will teach them that we are to be kind to all,and that we don't have to always play or interact with everyone but we do always have to be nice and treat others with kindness. Once mistreatment of others have been identified, I will immediately be in contact with the parent to come up with a plan of action to eliminate this from happening again.

References:

Barr, J. J. (2016, October). Developing a Positive Classroom Climate. Retrieved April 10, 2018, from IDEA > Home 

Prevention: Teach kids how to identify bullying and how to stand up to it safely. (n.d.). Retrieved April 09, 2018, from http://www.stopbullying.gov/

Diversity in the Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved April 09, 2018, from Diversity in the Classroom | Center for Teaching and Learning