Domain 2: The Classroom Environment
2a: Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport
2b: Establishing a Culture for Learning
2c: Managing Classroom Procedures
2d: Managing Student Behavior
2e: Organizing Physical Space
Artifact 2b: Establishing a Culture for Learning Creating a risk-free classroom, where students are comfortable with each other as well as respectful, is not an easy goal to accomplish. One of the strategies that I found to be effective towards accomplishing this goal is the T Graph for social skills. This is another strategy from G.L.A.D. that is student generated and the only part the teacher has is facilitating the activity and providing the specific social skill. The T Graphs are posters in the room that I try to revisit daily before we begin any individual or group tasks. Revisiting the graphs provides students with what the task will "look like" or "sound like" relating to the particular social skill. As we have reached the end of the school year, I am mindful to continually revisit the graphs and go as far to write the "looks like" and "sounds like" on the whiteboard to refer to during the task if needed.
Artifact 2c: Managing Classroom Procedures This particular image is a G.L.A.D. strategy called a Cognitive Content Dictionary (CCD) that follows along with a particular unit occurring in the classroom. Not only is this strategy a great tool for vocabulary within a unit, it is also an effective transition tool. When I want students to line up or move to a different part of the room I will use our CCD word as a transition. When I first introduce students to the new CCD word, I provide them with a short simplified definition and each group creates a motion that correlates with the definition. Next we randomly select three groups to share their motion and the class votes on the motion they think is most fitting for the word and definition. We will then use the word and motion for transitioning throughout the couple of days. Before learning this strategy my transitions were ineffective because they were extended periods of time and not smooth at all. Since learning how to use CCD as a transition, students are aware of what they are expected to do and the transition time is quicker and more effective.
Artifact 2d: Managing Student Behavior
While in my 2nd grade placement there was a student who had a difficult time staying on-task and being respectful to teachers as well as peers. I noticed when I would try and solve the issue I was more reactive than proactive with the situation. In order to help the student be successful throughout the day, I started a behavior chart that the student would fill out after every subject. Before using the behavior chart, I first went to the school counselor to ask for guidance and permission. The behavior chart was designed to have the student reflect how he/she acted, staying on task and showing respect to others, throughout the designated time. The student rated their behavior and I was there for guidance and for the student to list how well they did as well as what they could continue to work on. Using this behavior chart helped my lessons go smoothly because the student was participating and being respectful to others around his/her area.
While in my 2nd grade placement there was a student who had a difficult time staying on-task and being respectful to teachers as well as peers. I noticed when I would try and solve the issue I was more reactive than proactive with the situation. In order to help the student be successful throughout the day, I started a behavior chart that the student would fill out after every subject. Before using the behavior chart, I first went to the school counselor to ask for guidance and permission. The behavior chart was designed to have the student reflect how he/she acted, staying on task and showing respect to others, throughout the designated time. The student rated their behavior and I was there for guidance and for the student to list how well they did as well as what they could continue to work on. Using this behavior chart helped my lessons go smoothly because the student was participating and being respectful to others around his/her area.