Domain 2 is all about the classroom environment. It involves creating an environment of respect and rapport, establishing a culture for learning, managing classroom procedures, managing student behavior, and organizing physical space.
Component 2A: Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport
What is it?- This component is all about creating an efficient and effective classroom environment for both students and teacher. Teachers will gain respect and the students will enjoy learning. Research has shown that when students are immersed in positive classroom environments, they flourish.
Why is it important?- Teaching depends upon the relationships between people. Teachers must manage, support, help maintain, and at times initiate relationships with and among students in a positive manner. We must be aware of both our verbal and nonverbal communication in the classroom. All students must feel appreciated and safe. Encouraging risk taking is extremely important in the classroom.
Elements-
teacher interaction with students- need to demonstrate real and genuine respect, showing that you care for the students, having a passion for what you're teaching because students pick up on that passion, developing trust so that students feel comfortable coming to the teacher for anything, even personal matters.
student interaction with other students- students care for each other and watch out for their classmates.
In my teaching career- I will make sure to have students interact in a respectable manner with each other and myself. I might put the desks closer together so that students have friends near by that they can interact with and help.
Component 2B: Establishing a Culture for Learning
What is it?- Establishing a culture for learning is all about the tone of the classroom and setting expectations for the students.
Why is it important?- We need to cultivate an atmosphere that is created by both the teacher and the student. A classroom must showcase work and show pride in your students work.
Elements-
Importance of Content and of Learning- students are actively involved in learning the content, students take initiative in learning and want to learn more about a topic or content area, teacher takes advantage of those teachable moments, teacher has a concluding point to the lesson
Expectations for learning and achievement- having high expectations for students, due to high expectations, students have internalized them, teacher conveys a message to the students through interactions and written that they are all capable of being challenged and to work hard
Student pride in work- students are attentive and display detail and thought throughout their work, students thoughtfully revise their assignments to make them better
In my own teaching career: I will display my students' work that I think is really impressive or write them a note to say that I really liked their work.
Component 2C: Managing Classroom Procedures
What is it?- Teachers set and monitor routines and procedures for the smooth function of the classroom and the efficient use of time
Why is it important?- It is extremely important for the classroom to run smoothly so that students feel organized and comfortable with the class.
Elements-
management of instructional groups- teachers help students understand how to work effectively in groups so that eventually they don't need help from the teacher
management of transitions- students are familiar with how the class goes, it can move from independent to small groups to the whole class
management of materials and supplies- experienced teachers have all the supplies they might need at any given moment in the class
performance of non-instructional duties- very little instructional time is lost in activities such as taking attendance, recording the lunch count, or the return of permission slips for a class trip.
In my own teaching career- I will make sure to be mindful to not lose valuable class instructional time. I will make sure my students understand the procedures of the class so that I can avoid losing instructional time.
Component 2D: Managing Student Behavior
What is it?- In order for students to be able to engage deeply with content, the classroom environment must be orderly; the atmosphere must feel businesslike and productive, without being authoritarian.
Why is it important?- When students are corrected it is important for them to still feel respected and loved.
Elements-
Expectations- expectations must be clear and enforced
Monitoring of student behavior- it is important for teachers to know what is going on in the classroom and make subtle remarks to misbehavior
Response to student misbehavior- being understanding and forgiving is extremely important to keep a loving classroom environment
In my own teaching career- I will make sure to point out student misbehavior in a subtle way and talk to the student privately who is misbehaving. Also, I will make sure my students know that I am forgiving and understanding
Component 2E: Organizing Physical Space
What is it?- The physical atmosphere of the classroom is vital to a comfortable learning environment. Playing around with set-ups of desks or having fun furniture like bean bags or a couch shows how much you care for your students.
Why is it important?- It is important for all students to be safe and comfortable. There can't be any hazards in the classroom with furniture or wires especially.
Elements-
safety and accessibility- Physical safety is a primary consideration of all teachers; no learning can occur if students are unsafe or if they don’t have access to the board or other learning resources.
arrangement of furniture and use of physical resources- when these are skillfully used, students can engage with the content in a productive manner
In my own teaching career- I will make sure that I arrange my classroom with safety on my mind first and then I will think about how to make it cozy and fun for my students.
Component 2A: Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport
What is it?- This component is all about creating an efficient and effective classroom environment for both students and teacher. Teachers will gain respect and the students will enjoy learning. Research has shown that when students are immersed in positive classroom environments, they flourish.
Why is it important?- Teaching depends upon the relationships between people. Teachers must manage, support, help maintain, and at times initiate relationships with and among students in a positive manner. We must be aware of both our verbal and nonverbal communication in the classroom. All students must feel appreciated and safe. Encouraging risk taking is extremely important in the classroom.
Elements-
teacher interaction with students- need to demonstrate real and genuine respect, showing that you care for the students, having a passion for what you're teaching because students pick up on that passion, developing trust so that students feel comfortable coming to the teacher for anything, even personal matters.
student interaction with other students- students care for each other and watch out for their classmates.
In my teaching career- I will make sure to have students interact in a respectable manner with each other and myself. I might put the desks closer together so that students have friends near by that they can interact with and help.
Component 2B: Establishing a Culture for Learning
What is it?- Establishing a culture for learning is all about the tone of the classroom and setting expectations for the students.
Why is it important?- We need to cultivate an atmosphere that is created by both the teacher and the student. A classroom must showcase work and show pride in your students work.
Elements-
Importance of Content and of Learning- students are actively involved in learning the content, students take initiative in learning and want to learn more about a topic or content area, teacher takes advantage of those teachable moments, teacher has a concluding point to the lesson
Expectations for learning and achievement- having high expectations for students, due to high expectations, students have internalized them, teacher conveys a message to the students through interactions and written that they are all capable of being challenged and to work hard
Student pride in work- students are attentive and display detail and thought throughout their work, students thoughtfully revise their assignments to make them better
In my own teaching career: I will display my students' work that I think is really impressive or write them a note to say that I really liked their work.
Component 2C: Managing Classroom Procedures
What is it?- Teachers set and monitor routines and procedures for the smooth function of the classroom and the efficient use of time
Why is it important?- It is extremely important for the classroom to run smoothly so that students feel organized and comfortable with the class.
Elements-
management of instructional groups- teachers help students understand how to work effectively in groups so that eventually they don't need help from the teacher
management of transitions- students are familiar with how the class goes, it can move from independent to small groups to the whole class
management of materials and supplies- experienced teachers have all the supplies they might need at any given moment in the class
performance of non-instructional duties- very little instructional time is lost in activities such as taking attendance, recording the lunch count, or the return of permission slips for a class trip.
In my own teaching career- I will make sure to be mindful to not lose valuable class instructional time. I will make sure my students understand the procedures of the class so that I can avoid losing instructional time.
Component 2D: Managing Student Behavior
What is it?- In order for students to be able to engage deeply with content, the classroom environment must be orderly; the atmosphere must feel businesslike and productive, without being authoritarian.
Why is it important?- When students are corrected it is important for them to still feel respected and loved.
Elements-
Expectations- expectations must be clear and enforced
Monitoring of student behavior- it is important for teachers to know what is going on in the classroom and make subtle remarks to misbehavior
Response to student misbehavior- being understanding and forgiving is extremely important to keep a loving classroom environment
In my own teaching career- I will make sure to point out student misbehavior in a subtle way and talk to the student privately who is misbehaving. Also, I will make sure my students know that I am forgiving and understanding
Component 2E: Organizing Physical Space
What is it?- The physical atmosphere of the classroom is vital to a comfortable learning environment. Playing around with set-ups of desks or having fun furniture like bean bags or a couch shows how much you care for your students.
Why is it important?- It is important for all students to be safe and comfortable. There can't be any hazards in the classroom with furniture or wires especially.
Elements-
safety and accessibility- Physical safety is a primary consideration of all teachers; no learning can occur if students are unsafe or if they don’t have access to the board or other learning resources.
arrangement of furniture and use of physical resources- when these are skillfully used, students can engage with the content in a productive manner
In my own teaching career- I will make sure that I arrange my classroom with safety on my mind first and then I will think about how to make it cozy and fun for my students.