Sunday, July 2, 2017

Reflective Journal # 7 Chapter 11

Reflective Journal # 7
This week text focused on Effective learning environments. The discussion is on how to effectively create environments that are conducive to student learning and goals. This week also focuses on how teachers should plan out their days with rules and procedures that will drive the learning environment in a positive way.
Reflection:
In my classroom one of the most important task I complete at the beginning of the school year is a classroom management tool. This tool assists me in knowing what and how I want my classroom to look and feel like on a daily basis. This sometimes include having a guide or key for daily usage. There are times things do not go as planned but for the most part if everything is laid for me I can manage the classroom. One of the best things I love complete is what I call the do now. When my students walk into the classroom they should be completing the do now. The do now is sometimes on the board or it can be as simple as a handout they need to read to go further. Without a do now my students will walk in not knowing what to do or where to go.
Slavin discusses time that is allocated for the instructional day. With my daily planning I do allocate time for certain things. When the students are completing the do now, I provide them with about 7-10 minutes. This also gives me time switch gears from the last lesson or maybe the last session of students I have completed. In the classroom there is no time for lost time. Once the do now is complete in the allotted time we can then move onto the lesson. In order to be fulfilling the lesson must be an engaging lesson. The students need to be engaged at all times. This sometimes mean the students may need to move into different groups or have some type of hands on activity to complete. This chapter in Slavin’s educational psychology also discusses preparing students with classroom rules and procedures. This is also a task I complete at the start of the school year. I sometimes leave some areas blank so that my students can chime in. I believe that if a student is aware and in agreeance with expectations then it is easier for them to fulfill the task. Having everything in place and praising the students for their positive behavior is key when achieving the maximum results.

References:
Slavin, R. E. (2015). Educational psychology: Theory and practice (11th ed.). Boston, MA:

      Pearson Education.

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