Learning Environment Plan: Reflecting on Building a Positive Classroom Climate

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I have learned that a positive classroom climate is one where students are happy, feel respected and cared for, bond with their peers, and develop self-efficacy, believing they are capable of success. It sounds daunting that a single teacher is responsible for all of this! But having a plan and in particular the learning environment plan can help me get there.

I would start with building relationships with the students, welcoming them individually and showing them that I want to be there everyday with them. Accepting them as they are and showing interest in their personal lives. Teachers are in the privileged position to do just that, especially with students who need it the most - those that press our buttons, disrupt the lesson, break rules - by understanding that everyone has a story, a struggle, and needs help along the way. As James Comer said, “No significant learning can come without a significant relationship”.

I would establish norms and procedures (including during transitions) on the first day of class and stick to them. I think this is a way to begin to build mutual respect and trust. We would practice them, display them and remind each other of them. While the norms would be strictly required, the atmosphere is relaxed and fun. I stand by the five norms I chose for the module 2 assignment: we maintain our work ethic and always try our best; we respect the teacher, our peers, and their property; we are punctual and prepared; we talk at appropriate times and use appropriate voices; and we make smart choices. At least, I would start with these and be flexible to modifying them, depending on the needs of the students.

Setting high expectations is something that I would ensure my students know, especially the struggling ones. Rita Pierson correctly states that we have all been affected by a teacher. For me, I was the young student who shied away from teachers/learning. It wasn’t until my grade 9 English teacher made me feel like I mattered, that I could succeed, did my self-esteem and confidence increase and my potential for learning turn around. A caring teacher who has high expectations of her students can be key for many students. I’ll just keep reminding my students of their worth until it becomes a part of them. In the end, the teacher's goal is to empower students to believe in themselves, to take risks, to push themselves beyond what they think they are capable of. To summarize Pierson, that they can do things, they can impress people, they can go places. It’s hard work, but it’s possible. I hope that in building a positive classroom climate, students see a teacher who encourages them, believes in their ability, and empowers them to believe in themselves.

Students today are part of the digital age; they love all things tech and tend to be more engaged when technology is used. Incorporating technology into the classroom provides teachers with greater opportunities to appeal to their students and therefore assist with engagement and achievement. I would use technology to keep track of grades and quickly be able to tell the areas in which students are most in need of support. I would use technology, like Blackboard, to communicate with students, distribute learning resources to students and assess student understanding. The latter would appeal to different student learning styles. This type of learning management system would also help me communicate with parents. I would use technology, like Class Dojo, to track behaviour but also another way to keep parents informed via reports and pictures. Thanks to the use of technology in our modules, I am more comfortable with it too.

The video observations are a brilliant tool to learn how to teach; it cannot be learned solely in class or through readings. Videos are a great method of being exposed to new and different approaches that we had not thought of beforehand. Even though I have observed many teachers in my role as a student assistant, I am not consciously assessing them at that moment. Whereas the videos, with prompts of what I should observe and assess, give me the space and time to reflect on their behaviours and practices. I can thoughtfully take note of their strengths and areas for improvement in various aspects of the class such as routines, participation, teaching strategies, management strategies, student engagement and much more. I hope this way of learning continues when I become a teacher, having opportunities to sit in my peers' classroom and be open to being influenced by them and trying out new ways of teaching.

Click here for my Learning Environment Plan. It is by no means an exhaustive list but, if I can say so myself, it's a really good start.