Standard 5

Learning Environment. Candidates use an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior to create a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation.

Supporting Explanation

Drawing on their knowledge of human motivation and behavior, candidates create a learning environment that is inclusive and supports positive social interaction, active engagement in learning and self-motivation. They organize and manage resources such as time, space, facilities, technology, activities, instructional assistants and volunteers to engage students in productive tasks and maximize the amount of class time spent in learning. They develop shared expectations for all students and create and maintain a positive classroom climate of mutual respect, support and inquiry. Candidates understand and use a wide variety of classroom management strategies that foster self control and self discipline. They can defuse potential conflict and use conflict resolution strategies to maintain a smoothly functioning learning community.

What? (Evidence) 

• Management portfolio

So What? (Reflection)

     If the students are not a part of a learning environment that is inclusive and supports positive social interaction and active engagement in learning and self-motivation, they cannot feel like they belong in school. Students who do not feel like they are respected and are in a safe classroom are less likely to be engaged in the classroom and will not have a motivation to learn. It is up to teachers to create a warm environment that fosters mutual respect and helps to motivate students. My management portfolio which was completed in a classroom management course, describes my management philosophy which states that children need a positive classroom environment. It also shows an explanation of my rules, expectations, and routines in my classroom.

Now What? (Direction)

    My classroom management will have some characteristics of Whole Brain Teaching; however, I do plan to implement additional management strategies to create a positive classroom environment that maximizes the amount of time that students spend learning. I plan to experiment with different management strategies until I find which works best for the needs of the classroom. I also plan to stress the importance of acceptance and mutual respect so that all students, regardless of how diverse, feel motivated and are engaged.