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Classroom Climate

Kindergarten

October 2022

While observing my kindergarten classroom I now understand the importance of

classroom climate. In order for students to learn to the best of their ability they need to feel

comfortable in the environment they're taught in. If students feel safe and welcomed they will

feel comfortable enough to ask questions and engage in the classroom, bettering their

education. Mrs. Schipper, the teacher I'm observing does an excellent job representing a good

classroom climate.

To start each morning off, Mrs. Schipper plays peaceful music and welcomes each

student individually as they enter the classroom. For students, this shows they are cared for and

respected as an individual and will reinforce that same respect as it is shown to them. Allowing

students to listen to music as they start their day is also enforcing a calm and peaceful

classroom environment. The students then feel comfortable and will be able to receive the best

education possible.

I also believe that obtaining a welcoming classroom determines the success of the class.

Mrs. Schipper creates a welcoming environment in multiple ways. She fills the class with colorful

posters that educate the students but also satisfy the aesthetic of the classroom. Having color in

the classroom also portrays equality and respect for many different personalities. Mrs. Schipper

also has specific areas in her classroom for students to calm down or recollect their feelings.

Including “calm down” areas in the class is extremely important and shows it's okay to be

stressed or not have control of your feelings it's the actions you take following that realization.

The students can then go to these specific areas and reflect on their actions or feelings. Once

students are calmed down they can come back to class and gain the best knowledge whereas if

they were stressed they would struggle to pay attention and obtain knowledge.
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Classroom Management

7th Grade Literacy

September 2022

While observing my 7th-grade class I have learned how important classroom

management is. It’s incredibly easy to get off task, especially with middle school students. Mrs.

Ersland, the teacher I observed this semester, created a great class environment maintaining

both fun times while still giving the students the education they need.

Every morning, the students are given a task to warm up their brains. Whether that's a

word search, a short reading assignment, or some fun riddles. Students can rely on this in their

routine, giving them a sense of security and organization. This is a great example of classroom

management because it's getting students warmed up for the learning they will continue to do

after having a chance to get their morning jitters out.

Mrs. Ersalnd also demonstrates student involvement immensely in her classroom. She

never singles out a student which I believe makes students feel more comfortable in their class.

If students feel comfortable in their classrooms they will participate and engage in the class,

which is extremely evident in her classroom. Mrs. Ersland also does specific lessons that she

doesn't even teach. After the students learn something she will have them have a class

discussion, however instead of her leading the discussion her students do it instead. The

students can then receive information from their peers in an informal way. Some students learn

better this way, which I believe encourages different learning strategies.

Another example of Mrs. Ersland's classroom management is the way she takes

attendance. Each morning students walk in and take their assigned chair off the table. This

indicates whether they are present or not. This method doesn't waste any class time and

instead is very beneficial for not only the students but also the teacher. This is a daily routine. I

believe the way your classroom is running is up to you, and every teacher is different.
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Differentiated Learning/ Exceptional Learners

8th Grade Literacy

October 2022

While observing teachers' classrooms, I learned just how important it is to recognize

exceptional learners and differentiate all learners. I've realized that treating all students the

same is really not the concept, instead each student needs to be treated/taught to their specific

needs. This idea applies to all students but especially to exceptional learners. Mrs. Dabney

constantly was portraying this differentiation in her classroom.

One example that specifically stood out to me was Mrs. Dabney having a conversation

with students about fairness. One student needed a desk cycle, a machine that students

connect to their feet and petal similar to a bicycle. This student needed a desk cycle so that they

could focus better in class. Of course, other students complained when it was first introduced.

Classmates felt this was unfair because they didn’t get one, but this specific student did. Mrs.

Dabney immediately shut the complaint down. She stated that everybody has different needs

and different ways for them to be successful, students then understood that every student has

particular needs and it's not about unfairness, rather it's what they need. This demonstrated how

teachers not only have to deal with differentiated learning or meeting students' specific needs

but particularly with other students with different needs.

By observing Mrs. Dabney I also learned the importance of differentiating learning. Each

student has different learning needs or styles. For example, one student was a visual learner.

This means they needed pictures or diagrams to learn. However, not all students are visual

learners. Another student was a kinesthetic learner. This means that they learn best by moving

and doing activities. In order to accommodate both the visual and kinesthetic learner, she used

a youtube video involving dancing and included pictures educating the students on the different

types of sentences. This satisfied both the visual and kinesthetic learners' needs.
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STEM

Kindergarten

September 2022

In today’s learning STEM is an incredibly important aspect, especially technology.

Introducing technology at a young age is crucial. In today's society technology is everywhere,

and will only continue to grow. If students do not get educated with technology they will struggle

in the real world. Mrs. Schipper shows an even balance of learning with technology and also

without.

Each day Mrs. Schipper would include at least one lesson with technology as the

primary basis. By doing so, the students could understand technology better. Introducing the

concept of technology at a young age engages them better and will help them be more

successful in the future. She explained to me that technology changes very quickly and always

will, especially in the teaching world.

Another great example of STEM being incorporated into the classroom is the numerous

projects that take place. There are several hands-on projects that Mrs. Schippers's class did

and continue to do, but a daily one that I noticed was as soon as they entered the classroom.

When students first enter the class they first take lunch count and then have toys set up at

numerous tables. The toys that they played with were things that required hands and

movement. This goes with the engineering part of STEM. Mrs. Schipper believes that hands-on

activities make education more beneficial and students will get the best learning if they are

engaged and have a say in what they learn. When students were able to do things on their own

and construct things I noticed that they were much more intrigued with their learning and wanted

to do things. It is evident that students are more successful in their later years not only in

education but also in their life outside of school with STEM. By using STEM in school, students

can connect their multiple intelligences to the different learning strategies offered by STEM.
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Connections With Students

3rd Grade

October 2022

Through watching different classrooms, I have noticed how important creating

connections with students is. It is very evident which teachers create connections and which do

not. The classrooms including relationships seem to prosper where ones lacking those

connections dwindle and are simply boring. I strongly believe that successful education cannot

happen without connections or bonds with students.

Mr. Fjelland also has strong beliefs in connections with students, and it is extremely

evident. He is always sure to ask questions about their personal lives. Whether that's about a

sports event, family vacations, or plans after school. These small conversations showed

students that Mr. Fjeland was interested in their lives and cared about them. When students feel

this sense of security and safety they can perform better in academics. They will feel

comfortable asking questions and engaging themselves in class discussions or class in general.

Another example of relationships demonstrated in the classroom is an activity that I will

definitely bring into my future classroom. This activity includes the ‘count to ten’ game where

students stand in a circle. The first student who begins the game says ‘one’ or ‘one, two’, the

next student picks up numerically where the student behind them left off. They can only say a

maximum of two numbers. Students continue to go around the circle until one is forced to say

‘ten’, the student must sit down, and the game restarts. The twist on this game is that when a

student says ‘ten’ other students ask them questions. Questions asked could be something

easy like their favorite color or something deeper like who their role model is. These

conversations deepen the connections between the classmates and also the relationship

between the teacher and the student. Creating this positive and enjoyable environment will help

engage the students and make them want to learn rather than be forced.