Classroom Climate, Environment and You!

How can I set the mood to help foster learning for students in the classroom?

• Visually:

1. Hang posters and quotes that motivate students on a daily basis. You want students to enter the classroom with a positive attitude. For example, “All students have gifts; they just open them on different days.”

2. Display plants and flowers around the room. Students will learn the proper care of plants and as a result gain a sense of responsibility and appreciation for science. Plants will also provide a colorful and great addition to your classroom.

3. Example: Use the plant as a class project. The class could make observations regarding plant growth and plant use. Note: Be sure to ask administrators about class pets/plants that you can use in your classroom.

4. Pay close attention to the windows in your classroom. Due to lighting and positioning, you may want to hang curtains to help hide outside distractions and/or block sunrays. Chose curtains that are practical in your classroom, and you may even try to set a theme For example, you may want to choose fabrics that portray the different seasons.

How can I design an organized working space where materials are easily accessible for students?

• Physical Layout

1. Designate areas around the room to help students easily navigate. For example, in an elementary setting, provide a colorful area carpet for the reading circle. For a secondary setting, label the area designated for experiments in a science classroom. Labeling surrounds the students with

words to help with word recognition. 2. Don’t be afraid to change the arrangement of the desks in the classroom. Every class is

different and you have to be able to adapt. Even though you might not favor traditional rows it might be the best solution to a behavior problem in one of your classes. Note: Be sure to have clear aisles. Always keep up to date seating charts for the substitute teacher.

Can I use music to enhance student learning in the classroom?

• Auditory

1. Use music as an influence in your classroom. Playing soft non-lyrical music can help calm students and minimize twhen students are working on daily assignments. Inform students that if you can no longer hear the music they are talking too loudly.

alking

Example, use up beat music to motivate student activity or lighten the mood. Play music during clean up, it can speed up an activity.

Use music to enhance thematic units.

Teacher Communication Skills Ways to keep communication open with…

How can I introduce the parents to classroom and school activities?

• Parents

1. Write a sample letter introducing yourself to the classroom. Include background information to parents, short term goals, contact information, (no educational jargon)

2. Ask about your school newsletter. Find out if you can add info in the school newsletter. This will help you introduce yourself to everyone in the school.

3. It is important to contact administrators if your school has a homepage. If so, add your own class website to the homepage. Include lesson plans, a class photo gallery, students’ artwork, etc. If your school does not have a homepage see about getting one started. This is a great resource for students as well as parents.

4. Start a communication log for parents and students. Ask students to keep a notebook and write notes weekly for students to send home to their parents. Write positive notes as well as negative ones.

How can I create open communication between staff members?

• Staff

1. Go to your school before the first meeting and introduce yourself to the administrators. Take your portfolio with you so he or she knows you are highly qualified.

Bring questions to ask, gather staff contact information, research school committees and volunteer, ask about extra duties and the school discipline policy, find out where the mailboxes/lounges are located, ask about professional development/how can you document it, volunteer to update homepage (enhance technology), offer yourself so other teachers come to you which helps build relationships, ask about how your record your own absences

2. Be courteous to other teachers such as share master copies/ideas with teachers at your level. Stick extra copies in their mailbox with a note that says, “I had some extra”

3. Confidentiality- don’t discuss a child by their name 4. Ask the administrators for a mentor, inquire about the mentor program. You need

to know what to expect from your mentor and what needs to be documented 5. Find out about extracurricular activities and be involved. The more you are

involved as a beginning teacher you will form relationships with the community as well as staff

6. Get a copy of the school calendar and the emergency and safety policy

assemblies and write the times on the board. It is important to post the schedule so all the students can see it.

3. Establish a morning routine for students and be consistent. For example, inform the students that when they enter the room –hand their coats, record hot lunch or cold lunch, etc.

4. Always use visual reminders. Invest in a giant agenda to stress organization and responsibility.

5. Create 5 rules or less. Students will more likely remember the rules if there are less than 6. Also always have the rules posted along with the consequences. You need to set expectations for your students.

6. Foster communication within the classroom using student blogs.

How can I establish clear and concise expectations for both teacher and students?

• Students

1. Start your first day of school the way you want to end your last day. Show your personality the first day to the students so they can adjust in the beginning.

2. Review the day’s agenda for the students. Highlight any differences such as pep

PROMOTING A POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE

What is “school climate”? School climate may be defined as:

. . . the sum total of all of the personal relationships within a school. When these relationships arefounded in mutual acceptance and inclusion, and modelled by all, a culture of respect becomes the norm.

What are the characteristics of a positive school climate? When a positive school climate exists,

• students, parents and staff members feel safe, comfortable and accepted

• healthy and respectful relationships are promoted among all members of the school community

• students are encouraged to be leaders and positive role models – for example, by speaking up about issues such as bullying

• parents and community members are actively engaged

• positive behaviour is reinforced and students are given opportunities to develop relationships that are free of racism, discrimination and harassing behaviour

• there is a culture of high expectations in which the improvement of learning outcomes for all students is emphasized

• all cultures are respected and valued.

INCLU

SIV

E

Studentswho are safe and

welcomein their school

StudentVoice

CharacterDevelopment

Equity andInclusive

Education

LeadershipDevelopment

Safe andHealthySchools

ParentEngagement

SA

FE

RE

SPEC

TFUL CARING

Developing healthy and respectful relationships among all members of the school community

Guiding principles• Everyone has a role to play in building a welcoming, positive and inclusive school climate.

Success depends on the active involvement of school leaders, staff members, students, parents/guardians and community members who are committed to a shared, well-developed vision of a safe, caring and supportive school community.

• Building a positive school climate requires a focus on developing healthy and respectful relationships throughout the school community – among students, among adults and between adults and students.

• Building a positive school climate means embedding the principles of equity and inclusive education in all aspects of the learning environment to support the well-being and achievement of all students.

• No single solution can guarantee the creation and maintenance of a positive school climate. Success requires an ongoing, comprehensive and collaborative effort on the part of everyone involved.