Classroom Set Up

In my classroom I want them to have many spaces available for reading.  Reading is so important and thus they will need places besides their desk available to them to engage in reading for both academics and enjoyment.  For example, having rugs, rocking chairs, couches, etc. will give them options of places to sit and enjoy reading.  Beyond this it will be essential for them to have individual reading baskets with both on target, challenging and engaging material for them to read.  This way they have a variety of material to explore during free read time.

Secondly, it is so important for students to have ownership of their work in real life ways.  Having their work posted around the room, on the wall, or in the book shelf for everyone to see is a great way for them to be proud of their work.  It will also inspire them to work harder knowing that it will be on display for their peers and fellow teachers.  Allowing your classroom to flow into the hallways and other parts of the school allows for the entire school population to enjoy their work and opinions.

Thirdly, because I believe that group discussion is so important for learning, both small and large.  There should be space set up for students to converse and work together in both settings.  When in large group it will be important for the students to be able to see each other and feel included in order to invite maximum participation. The small group set up should also be similar. It might also be helpful for it to be in one of the corners of the room so that they can feel comfortable to share and not be distracted with everything else that is going on.


Lastly, I think it is so crucial for the room to be well organized.  It is important for students to have structure and routine that might not be received at home. You can do this by having things in order and a routine that they follow everyday day.  Having their daily and weekly schedule displayed allows the students to know what is ahead both short and long term to help them have smoother transitions throughout the day. For example it would make sense for them to put their gym shoes if they know that they have gym class next. Having student jobs displayed on the board is also helpful for students to have ownership of their classroom and perhaps be more respectful of their surroundings.  Having resources and visuals displayed for current learning is also important for differentiation purposes.  Different learners may need visuals, reminders, etc. 

Teaching Beliefs

As a teacher it is important to have a set of beliefs and goals to guide our actions in the classroom.First I believe that there needs to be a safe and comfortable environment in order for learning to take place. It is crucial that students have their basic needs met before they are able to learn.  I want students to be able to feel like they can confide in me and trust me to listen openly to their ideas even if they aren't answers that I perhaps had in mind while asking questions of the class.

Second, it is also important to have an organized classroom with a dependable routine. Students might not receive the dependence of structure at home and thus school is where they will need it.

Third, our beliefs about whats important should grow with us as educators while we gain experience.  We are so young and inexperienced at this point in our career that we are going to be observing conflicts first hand in the months and years to come.

Lastly, we should try to align our beliefs with our practices.  As educators we will be pressured to teach certain content and it is important to stick to our beliefs and teach the content using  methods that engage the majority of the class.

As I am just beginning my journey as a figure in the classroom, I am so excited to explore the many and differing ways to motivate students in the classroom.  We have learned that student engagement and performance directly correlates with their motivation to learn and complete that specific project.  For example in Language Arts you might motivate them as authors to create a poem to be published in a book for their peers to check out from the library for example.  I am excited to explore methods of motivation for not only Language Arts and reading, but for all subjects and differing topics within the classroom.  Finding ways to motivate students will not only keep them engaged in the activity, but can lead to improvement in classroom management, push them towards critical thinking and inspire them as learners to be continually excited to be in the classroom.