Classroom Climate - Tangible
This is a sample of what my classroom layout will look like.
When you walk into a classroom, there should be no question or doubt in your mind what type of classroom you have entered. A classroom should have distinct, tangible characteristics that you can see, feel, and sometimes even smell. My biology classroom will have distinguishable characteristics that set it apart from other subjects and cultivate a special place for learning to take place. In the following paragraphs I will describe my ideal classroom layout. I realize that I will have to adapt my design based on the actual classroom I have the privilege of teaching in, but my overall structure will be the same.
Student Seating
Teacher’s Desk
White Board & Projector
Student Work
Classroom Materials
Classroom Décor
Student Seating
- In my classroom, there will be tables instead of desks. I strongly believe that tables are more comfortable for a student to sit at, as well as, more appropriate for the science classroom. The tables will be aligned in straight rows and columns with space between each table. At each table there will be two students. This seating arrangement allows for students to readily work in partners. It also allows me as the teacher to easily maneuver the entire classroom.
Teacher’s Desk
- My desk will be located in the front corner of the room, positioned so that I can see the entire classroom from my desk, and so I can see into the hallway. Having my desk at the front of the room represents that I am an authority figure. Positioning it towards the corner gives me free roam in the front of the class while teaching.
- On my desk will be very limited supplies. My goal is to organize it in a way so that the only things on my desk are my computer, my calendar, the textbook, writing utensils, and my water bottle or cup of coffee. Modeling a clean work space is very important for the students to see and helpful in keeping myself organized.
White Board & Projector
- The white board and projector will be located in the front of the room so that all students will be able to easily see it from their tables. Every day, on the white board will be the date, daily agenda, upcoming tests or quizzes, and the homework being assigned that day.
Student Work
- Near my desk will by an INBOX and OUTBOX for student work divided up by each class period. I have a procedure in place for students to turn in and collect their work. Having an established place for student work to be turned in and collected assists in running an effective classroom. Also, having it near the front of my desk in clear view lets students know that their work is important, instead of having them put it in a box in the back corner of the room.
Classroom Materials
- In the back of the room there are storage cabinets. In them will be all of the glassware, dissection tools, extra textbooks, and miscellaneous supplies for my classroom. It is important to keep these things locked and stored away until it is time to use them because they can be distracting and dangerous to have them scattered about the classroom.
Classroom Décor
- Throughout my classroom will be various posters of scientists, diagrams of biological systems, and several aquariums. Last but not least, I will have a full size skeleton somewhere near my desk, because what biology classroom would be complete without a skeleton overlooking the class? I believe how the classroom is decorated is one of the most important ways to create a positive, tangible classroom climate. A well ornamented classroom makes it inviting to students and also makes a fun learning atmosphere to be a part of. This category is very important to me and I will invest special efforts to make my classroom décor unique and memorable.
- I distinctively remember my high school biology classroom. There were was a student painting of an ecosystem on the back wall. Also, on the side wall there was a large diagram of a flower along with other scientific posters. On the opposite side wall there were taxidermy animals from Michigan along the ledge. And all around the classroom were aquariums and terrariums. I remember at least ten different tanks with everything from fish to hamsters. These things made the classroom environment very inviting towards me as a student and I hope to create a similar climate for my students.
Classroom Climate - Intangible
The intangible aspects of building a classroom climate is just as, if not more, crucial than creating the tangible classroom environment. Both aspects are extremely important.
Beginning of the Year Activities
During the first week of every new semester, along with establishing my classroom norms and procedures, I will intentionally develop the positive relationships with and among students. There are several ways I am going to go about doing this.
Some team building activities are:
Beginning, Middle, and End of the Year Personal Review
At the beginning of the year students will complete a personal inventory rating of themselves on a number of different scales. The topics that the inventory will include are:
The inventory will access the students' prior knowledge of biology before coming into my class, their progress half way through, and their level of retention for the year. This will be used as a tool to gauge how much time to spend on certain concepts throughout the year. It will also provide me with how well students retain the information on an informal evaluation. Another use for this inventory is that it introduces students to many topics we are going to learn in class, an gives them a sense of accomplishment at the middle and end of the year when they have learned some of the critical biological topic we address in my class. Beyond those aspects, this personal review will also inform me with my students' motivations, self-concept, sense of belonging, and expectations for my class. I will use this information to make changes to improve the classroom climate and continue doing things that create a positive classroom climate.
Be a Year Round Leader in the Classroom
As a teacher, I am the leader of the classroom that students look up to, whether they realize it or not (Glasser, 1998). My every action is being observed through a microscope in the classroom, in the school building, and in the community; on the occasion I run into a student of mine at the grocery store or movies for example. This strategy is one that I will not outwardly describe or profess to my students, in fact, that level of hubris would be counterproductive to my purpose. My main purpose for this strategy is to model positive values while being an adult role model. Some of the positive values I aim to instill are a sense of caring, integrity, honesty, responsibility, restraint, equality, and social justice. By leading my students morally and academically, a strong sense of classroom community will develop. It is easy to say that I am going to model these things, but it would probably be beneficial to the reader as to how I intend to do so. One way to model caring is to welcome my students into my classroom at the door with a sincere greeting and a smile. Another way to do so is to ask them questions about their interests, diligently listen to their responses, and bring up those interests appropriately when teaching my content. The other characteristics are a bit harder to give examples of. What it really comes down to is living a moral life worth being modeled. I am going to do this through regular self-reflection and self-improvement. This strategy is both beneficial to my students and myself, and will be very successful in building a positive classroom climate.
Beginning of the Year Activities
During the first week of every new semester, along with establishing my classroom norms and procedures, I will intentionally develop the positive relationships with and among students. There are several ways I am going to go about doing this.
Some team building activities are:
- The name game
- Two truths and a lie
- Have you ever?
Beginning, Middle, and End of the Year Personal Review
At the beginning of the year students will complete a personal inventory rating of themselves on a number of different scales. The topics that the inventory will include are:
- Biology Concepts
- Motivation
- Self-Concept
- Belonging
- Expectations
The inventory will access the students' prior knowledge of biology before coming into my class, their progress half way through, and their level of retention for the year. This will be used as a tool to gauge how much time to spend on certain concepts throughout the year. It will also provide me with how well students retain the information on an informal evaluation. Another use for this inventory is that it introduces students to many topics we are going to learn in class, an gives them a sense of accomplishment at the middle and end of the year when they have learned some of the critical biological topic we address in my class. Beyond those aspects, this personal review will also inform me with my students' motivations, self-concept, sense of belonging, and expectations for my class. I will use this information to make changes to improve the classroom climate and continue doing things that create a positive classroom climate.
Be a Year Round Leader in the Classroom
As a teacher, I am the leader of the classroom that students look up to, whether they realize it or not (Glasser, 1998). My every action is being observed through a microscope in the classroom, in the school building, and in the community; on the occasion I run into a student of mine at the grocery store or movies for example. This strategy is one that I will not outwardly describe or profess to my students, in fact, that level of hubris would be counterproductive to my purpose. My main purpose for this strategy is to model positive values while being an adult role model. Some of the positive values I aim to instill are a sense of caring, integrity, honesty, responsibility, restraint, equality, and social justice. By leading my students morally and academically, a strong sense of classroom community will develop. It is easy to say that I am going to model these things, but it would probably be beneficial to the reader as to how I intend to do so. One way to model caring is to welcome my students into my classroom at the door with a sincere greeting and a smile. Another way to do so is to ask them questions about their interests, diligently listen to their responses, and bring up those interests appropriately when teaching my content. The other characteristics are a bit harder to give examples of. What it really comes down to is living a moral life worth being modeled. I am going to do this through regular self-reflection and self-improvement. This strategy is both beneficial to my students and myself, and will be very successful in building a positive classroom climate.
