Kristin Higgins

Domain 2
2/1/2020

Creating an environment of respect and rapport starts on day one when welcoming the

children into the classroom. I always invite the students in the classroom with a high five, fist

bump or hug (let them choose) and a good morning greeting. After day one of learning their

name and getting to know them I was made sure to use their name in their morning greeting.

Morning meeting is also a great place to get to know each and every student. During morning

meeting, I will have a question of the day that all will share an answer to, including myself. This

shows that I care about each student, want to get to know them, and want them to know me. I

will utilize this time to also introduce the rules of the classroom. These rules will be posted on

the wall, be sung with hand motions and easy to follow. Not only will these routines establish

respect and rapport, but will also establish procedures that will be used in managing the

classroom. I will use each morning to give each student a chance to greet each other, including

myself, go over the rules, give time for students to share kudos, concerns, and questions about

our day. During this time, we will also go over the schedule, especially if there is a change in

any way.

I bring passion to my teaching every single day I enter the school to set up a culture that

learning is important. I set high expectations for all students just as I want them to assume the

responsibility of their own learning. Creating a passionate environment engages the students and

increases excitement in their learning process. In order to create this positive environment of

learning I will spend a lot of time modeling what is expected, asking questions, reframing

conversations and communicate with each student building a positive environment. If there are
negative comments they will immediately be stopped and reframed to show how a student can

ask or respond in a more respectful way. I will continue to build a strong classroom environment

by modeling, reframing, and giving examples of responses, questions, and comments that uses

the academic language that is necessary to create a vocabulary rich environment. Guiding the

students in conversation through turn and talks, think-pair-share, and active participation gives

the students the opportunity to learn with and from each other.

To continue establishing classroom management I will model what to do when there is a

procedure put in place. When on the carpet I will give instructions and expectations of what is

the next activity is, what is expected during that activity, and who goes to what location. These

procedures will dictate what students are to do and how they will work. Different procedures are

put into place throughout the first few weeks of school with a lot of modeling and practicing.

Continue to remind the students of the procedures and thank them when the job is done right

until this becomes routine.

Entering Room in the morning: When students enter the classroom in the morning they will

come in unpack their backpacks on the carpet, put their folders in the folder bin, put their coats

inside their backpack, hang their bag and have a seat at their assigned table reading a book until

they are called to get a breakfast.

Lining up: Students will stand up quietly, push in chair and line up in line order when they hear

“Magic”

Leaving the room: Students will ask permission to leave the classroom, get the correct pass, and

write their number on the board.

Putting away and taking care of supplies: Students will put caps on markers and glue sticks,

clean up crayons, scissors, and all other supplies in assigned areas.

Needing help with assignments: Students will ask the center helper for assistance if teacher is

working with a small group. Student will be required to “ask 3 before me.”

Handing in work: Students will turn in assigned work in the Mrs. Higgins Bin (which will be

labeled). Each group will have a folder that will move with them from center to center where

unfinished work will go until their assigned time to meet with me.

Classroom helper jobs: Jobs will be assigned daily with expectations given the first few weeks.

It is the student’s responsibility to remember to do their job.

Signal for attention: When I require the attention of the students I will ring a bell when the bell is

heard I will require the students to freeze, put their hands on their head, stop talking and wait for

the next set of instructions.

With classroom routines and a positive classroom environment put into place students

will appreciate the consistency which will ward off behavior problems. To create a successful

learning environment, I will create a comprehensive behavior management plan. This plan will

define behavioral expectations, procedures, and consequences. By utilizing a comprehensive

behavior management plan implemented with all students I will be able to; prevent many

behaviors from occurring in the first place, minimize other disruptive behaviors, help students

feel safe both physically and emotionally. Character driven student behavior using PRIDE;

prepared, respect, integrity, determination, and engagement I diligently promote students to

display the PRIDE behaviors. I begin each day reviewing these expectations just as I do the

rules of the classroom. I will also incorporate restorative circles to model and discuss PRIDE
 behaviors. I purposefully set the standards for behavioral expectations during various activities

of the day. When behavior concerns arise, first I establish the reference to the expected

behavior, then prompt student with corrective behaviors that will redirect negative behaviors.

Students with repetitive redirections will be met with individually to address those behaviors and

specific interventions will be identified. Interventions can and do include; buddy room, breaks,

parent contact, behavior checklist, and using positive reinforcement for when student is making

smart choices.

The 5 rules of the classroom are as follows:

1. Follow directions quickly

2. Raise your hand for permission to speak

3. Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat

4. Make smart choices

5. Keep your dear teacher and your class happy.

When a rule is broken I will remind them of the rule by restating the rule when asking them to

follow it. If a student is speaking out of turn I will tell them rule number 2 raise your hand for

permission to speak. Along with these rules posted I will praise students for jobs well done,

which will improve behavior and academic performance. With positive praise given the students

will be inspired, improve their self esteem and reinforce the rules and values that I want to see.

 How will you organize the students for learning?

Students spend more time in the classroom that any other part of the school, which makes

this an integral part of their learning process. It is important to make the classroom a space that

looks, feels, and functions comfortable. Student-centered spaces with furniture that fit their

bodies, learning styles, and interests, displaying their work and ideas are the building block of
children’s learning. Since there is no magic formula for a well-organized classroom I may end

up changing the lay out of the classroom based on what works well for the students based on

their needs. There is a checklist that I consider important to classroom organization to ensure

that the classroom has space for:

 Partner work

 Small-group work

 Whole-group circles which everyone can be seen

 Messy work

 Quiet/independent work

 Relaxing work

Materials:

 Relevant to children’s work

 In good working order, with all parts

 Easily accessible to children to use them independently

 Sorted or stored in bins, boxes, or on shelves

 Clearly labeled with words and/or graphics

With this well-organized classroom I will send a message to the students that the room was

created for them to support their learning and that all need to respect it.

Implementing each one of these strategies in the classroom will empower me to establish

an orderly yet friendly and engaging classroom environment. There will be better teacher-to-

student and student-to-student interactions as a result of these implementations.