The classroom environment I share with my students is very important. It sets the tone for all the learning that happens throughout the day. Below are some snapshots from my classroom as well as a presentation I prepared for an additional qualification course I took on The Learning Environment (Queen’s University, Ontario). Pictured are some ways our classroom environment sets students up for success.
- Our daily check-in has language-rich emotional terminology to help students grow language and social and emotional skills. It is also helpful for monitoring students’ state of mind as they enter the classroom.
- Students share their academic and social hopes and dreams at the beginning of the year. These these are posted prominently all year long.
- I also invite parents to express their hopes and dreams for their children. Students can keep their parents’ letters close for an encouraging word when they need one.
- Restorative practice questions are part of my progressive discipline plan.
- Students are greeted at the door with a positive interaction including a high-five, fist bump, hug, or handshake—or simply a “hello,” depending on their preference, and they’re reminded as they enter that we can always grow every day.
- We focus on a growth mindset all year long with explicit teaching of growth mindset principles as well as affirmations every day during morning meeting.
- Parents need to understand growth mindset too. This is a poster I created for the above-mentioned course, designed to help parents reinforce growth mindset principles at home.
- We learn about and develop our character strengths.
