Gabrielle Pirozzi

EDUC-540-900
Dr. Fritz
October 18, 2019

The Classroom Environment

The classroom environment has equally been occupying my mind along with instruction

ever since I stepped foot in the classroom in August. My earliest nerves were that I was going to

fail at creating a classroom in which my students felt eager and ready to learn, comfortable with

me as their teacher, and confident in their own success. I have to admit, it has been challenging

designing and implementing an environment of my own, because after all, this isn’t my own. I

do, however, feel confident in myself that I am practicing my own methods and techniques and

observing in great detail how other professionals execute their environment so that someday

soon I will establish a classroom environment of my own.

Respect and Rapport

Creating an environment where you know you have your students respect and are proud

of the rapport you have with them is a better place for all people within it. In my opinion, this

begins with getting to know your students. You obviously must know your student’s names, but I

would also make it a point to know their interests, their likes and dislikes, and find out what

motivates them. “An essential skill of teaching is that of managing relationships with students

and ensuring that relationships among students are positive and supportive,” (Danielson, Domain

2a, 2013). This will help build a rapport with your students and create instant lines of

communication. In order to continue that rapport, I think you must stay consistent. Maintaining

communication with your students will greatly affect your student’s satisfaction and motivation.

I will make it a point that my students know they can always speak to me if needed,
academically or personally. This, in my opinion, could be achieved my check-ins. Whether they

be daily, weekly, monthly, I think it is important to try to reach your students on not only an

academic level, but personal as well.

In order to build and maintain respect in your classroom I think I would need to establish

rules from the beginning (the first day of school) and be affirmative in setting these with your

students. Later I will talk about setting a class mission statement, but I think that having a

discussion with your students in regard to respect can go a long way. In young students you

probably need to introduce the idea of respect for themselves, respect for their peers and teacher,

and respect for their classroom. In a distinguished teacher’s classroom “students exhibit respect

for the teacher and contribute to high levels of civility among all members of the class,”

(Danielson, Domain 2a, 2013).

Creating a Culture for Learning

I not only associate the establishment of a culture for learning with the classroom

environment but also the instructional domain as well. The importance of content and learning

hangs high in this domain as teachers should convey a strong culture and finding the utmost

essential importance in what the students are learning. The classroom environment component of

that is ensuring that your students are aware and knowledgeable of their expectations for learning

and achievement but also encouraging students to take pride in what they do. “When students are

convinced of their capabilities, they are willing to devote energy to the task at hand, and they

take pride in their accomplishments,” (South Eastern Special Education). I think it is important to

set high and appropriate expectations in the classroom. Students tend to rise to the expectations a

teacher sets because they want to impress and meet a challenge. Another aspect of the learning

culture that I believe to be of high importance is making sure the students know they have a
voice in the classroom. I want my future students to know that they should never be afraid to ask

questions or inquire about something. Curiosity should be endless and encouraged, and students

should feel comfortable enough communicating in the classroom.

Managing the Classroom and Student Behavior

An activity I would do during the first week of school in order to manage classroom and

student behavior is to set a class mission statement. The development of this mission statement is

created by the class as a whole with purpose, direction, and unity. By doing this, you are able to

refer to it and hold your students accountable for the statements written on it. This can be edited

and altered depending on what grade you are in. For example, in 1st grade, a high priority may be

to be kind to others in the classroom, while in 4th grade a high priority may be to stay on task and

focus during all subjects of the day. In developing the class mission statement, I think the

children and the teacher are being held responsible for their actions, which not only manages the

flow of the classroom but also the student’s individual behavior.

One of the things I look forward to most once I have my own classroom is have

ownership of my own classroom and the procedures within it. It has been quite a joy to observe

how well the students in my classroom have picked up and perfected their classroom procedures.

“Teachers establish and monitor routines and procedures for the smooth operation of the

classroom and the efficient use of time,” (Danielson, Domain 2c, 2013). These 1st graders

surprise me every day when they are able to follow the morning routine perfectly, know where

and when they’re supposed to go to their stations, and what they are supposed to do depending

on where they are in the room. I think it is vital that in order to expect this routine-following

from your students, you must have charts and schedules posted throughout the room. This way
young students can see them every day and even if they have not memorized their routines yet,

they are able to figure it out on their own, thus building resiliency and problem-solving skills.

From a student behavior standpoint, rules and behavior plans need to be put into place in

order for the students to know what is expected of them in order for them to be responsible for

their own actions and behavior. I know there is much debate on clip charts and behavior charts

and to be honest, that is all I have ever known and seen, however, no matter what system is used

or in place, the students should know what they are permitted to do and what their behavior

should model. As the teacher you should make rules and goals for yourself to correct behavior

when necessary but do so in a way that is respectful to the children. “Even when their behavior

[the students] is being corrected, students feel respects; their dignity is not undermined,”

(Danielson, Domain 2d, 2013).

Student Organization and Physical Space

One of the most valuable lessons I have learned in each of my field experiences, and

especially in my student teaching, is that organization is crucial, specifically when you are

working with younger children. Imagine an environment where procedures are not in place,

materials and resources are not readily available, and the overall physical space is in disarray.

The students will be confused and not be able to reach their success, and the teacher will be

frustrated and not able to provide their students with what they need to reach their potential. In

order to maximize time, classrooms must be efficient, safe, pleasant, and ready to provide the

teacher and students with their needs to work. “Easily accessible materials and supplies can

eliminate delays, disruptions, and confusion as students prepare for activities. In poorly arranged
classrooms, students spend a lot of time waiting – waiting in line, waiting for help, waiting to

begin,” (Shalaway).

How This All Enhances the Teaching and Learning Process

Without these individual aspects and components of the classroom environment, a

classroom essentially wouldn’t be functional. A classroom should generally speaking reflect the

teaching and overall style of the teacher themselves. If you want a positive experience had in the

classroom, a positive classroom is what you must create. The ideal classroom, in my opinion, is

conducive to learning, one where children feel safe and ready to be an active participant and is

manageable on a day to day basis. If each of these elements are met, the teaching and learning

process will run smoothly and each participant (teacher and student) will have the opportunity to

find success.
References:

Danielson, C. (2013). The Framework for Teaching: 2013 Edition.

Shalaway, L. Classroom Organization: The Physical Environment. Scholastic. Retrieved from:

https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/classroom-organization-

physical-environment/

South Eastern Special Education. Establishing a Culture for Learning. Retrieved from:

http://www.sese.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/2b-Establishing-a-Culture-for-

Learning.pdf