ON THE WAY TO A SAFE, CHALLENGING AND SUPPORTIVE CLASS
These "big ideas" were derived from my research especially that of David Sousa & Carol Ann Tomlinson's Differentiation and the Brain: How Neuroscience Supports the Learner-Friendly Classroom (2011)
We will be guided by the beliefs that…
Ø We work together to create and maintain a positive environment
This means: Our classroom has a place for everyone. Everyone is worthy of respect. We work collaboratively, celebrate one another's successes, support one another's needs and create positive memories as the year progresses.
Ø Our class is safe and secure.
This means: We do not make fun of one another, belittle one another, or bully one another.
Ø Our class is orderly and flexible.
This means: Routines and procedures ("guidelines") exist to facilitate learning in ways that work best for each of us in our class, not to "control" us. Each of us must have responsibilities for the successful operation of our class. Students will respect the classroom (desks, boards, laptops etc.
Ø We value the worth of each learner.
This means: Our class is "learner-centered". Each of us learns in a variety of ways and at different rates. Everyone in our class is "smart" and most of us can learn most things if we exert the effort necessary to do so.
Ø We support each other in taking risks to actively participate in learning.
This means: It's okay to make mistakes! We look for the best, expect the best, and look to find something in each of us that we can truly appreciate!
Ø Ongoing assessment is used to inform instruction.
This means: We understand learning is most effective when we reflect on the process of learning and set goals for improvement.
Ø Learning is both an individual and a group process.
This means: We will regularly use flexible grouping – groups based on readiness, interests, learning preferences, teacher-selected groupings, self-selected partners/groups, random groups, varying sizes, etc.
Ø In part, success is defined, as student growth.
This means: We only compete against ourselves. We will learn to work with increasing independence and self-awareness.
Ø Mrs. Samaddar will "teach up" – establish high expectations for herself and all members of our class.
This means: We will endeavor to use quality curriculum - a wide range of resources, instructional strategies, assessments and approaches which are authentic, rich and brain-friendly , to ensure a productive classroom environment.*
These "big ideas" were derived from my research especially that of David Sousa & Carol Ann Tomlinson's Differentiation and the Brain: How Neuroscience Supports the Learner-Friendly Classroom (2011)
We will be guided by the beliefs that…
Ø We work together to create and maintain a positive environment
This means: Our classroom has a place for everyone. Everyone is worthy of respect. We work collaboratively, celebrate one another's successes, support one another's needs and create positive memories as the year progresses.
Ø Our class is safe and secure.
This means: We do not make fun of one another, belittle one another, or bully one another.
Ø Our class is orderly and flexible.
This means: Routines and procedures ("guidelines") exist to facilitate learning in ways that work best for each of us in our class, not to "control" us. Each of us must have responsibilities for the successful operation of our class. Students will respect the classroom (desks, boards, laptops etc.
Ø We value the worth of each learner.
This means: Our class is "learner-centered". Each of us learns in a variety of ways and at different rates. Everyone in our class is "smart" and most of us can learn most things if we exert the effort necessary to do so.
Ø We support each other in taking risks to actively participate in learning.
This means: It's okay to make mistakes! We look for the best, expect the best, and look to find something in each of us that we can truly appreciate!
Ø Ongoing assessment is used to inform instruction.
This means: We understand learning is most effective when we reflect on the process of learning and set goals for improvement.
Ø Learning is both an individual and a group process.
This means: We will regularly use flexible grouping – groups based on readiness, interests, learning preferences, teacher-selected groupings, self-selected partners/groups, random groups, varying sizes, etc.
Ø In part, success is defined, as student growth.
This means: We only compete against ourselves. We will learn to work with increasing independence and self-awareness.
Ø Mrs. Samaddar will "teach up" – establish high expectations for herself and all members of our class.
This means: We will endeavor to use quality curriculum - a wide range of resources, instructional strategies, assessments and approaches which are authentic, rich and brain-friendly , to ensure a productive classroom environment.*