Blog #13

This week, Dr. Strange suggested that we post a blog about what we think should have been assigned to us in the beginning. In this ever wandering mind of mine, I could think of so many things I could blog about, from fun art projects, to the various ways we as teachers could serve as leaders, to exciting field trips I could take my kids on! Being an elementary education major though, there is one assignment that stands out in my mind that I think should have brought up to us long ago.

 

Here is the assignment:

 

 

                       Explain and/or list some ways that you could create a positive environment in your future classroom, using examples and depictions of things you might use to make the children better understand. Site any videos, pictures, or websites you used so that whoever reads your blog post can research on their own at their own pace.

 

Here is my reply:

 

 

                       Every day as millions of children go to school, their parents and caretakers hope these young people will be treated with care, values, respected, inspired, and educated, something that every school should maintain. Students in turn hope that they are treated well so that they can get through school knowing they are valued and respected. Unfortunately for some students in the world, going to school and dodging bullies and other negative situations is a difficult obstacle that seems nearly impossible to overcome. Oftentimes, sadly, teachers are so focused on making sure that their students work diligently and pass achievement tests that they can become blind to what the kids might actually need, emotionally and socially. So here are some ways to ensure a positive learning and social environment for our precious children in our future classrooms.

 

Making Learning Relevant:  

Students tend to be more engaged in what they are learning about and retain the knowledge better when they understand and see that the material being learned at hand is going to benefit them positively in the real world. Teachers can pay attention to what the kids' talents are, how they learn, and what their interests are so that they can adjust their teaching methods and strategies. By giving the students a say-so in how the material should be taught can increase the students' sense of ownership in their educational journey.

 

Create a Classroom Code of Conduct:

In order for a classroom to run smoothly, a set of ground rules on how to act and what is acceptable and unacceptable should be addressed. I could do this by asking the class one by one how they liked to be treated. This discussion can elicit lists of behaviors that are respectful, kind, and fair. That way, teacher and students can conclude that treating others how they liked to be treated is the best code of conduct there is, and they can agree that the behaviors are appropriate for their classroom.

 

Teach Positive Actions:

We as teachers need to address positive behaviors in a completely thorough, consistent manner. We cannot just assume that kids know them. From the Postive Action Curriculum, here are some concepts taught:

-The importance of doing positive actions to feel good about yourself.

-Positive actions for a healthy body (nutrition, exercise, and sleep)

-Positive actions for the intellect (thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills)

-Positive actions for self-management (managing time, energy, emotions, and other personal resources)

-Positive actions for getting along with others (treating others fairly, kindly, and respectfully)

-Positive actions for being honest with yourself and others (taking responsibility, admitting mistakes, and not blaming others)

-Positive actions for improving yourself continually (setting and achieving goals)