Classroom Environment- this is our place
Starting with the first day of class, I will welcome the students warmly by greeting each student at the door and exchanging a few words. I truly believe that getting off to a good start can be extremely effective in the long run. I also feel as though it is important to respect and address diversity within the classroom. By doing this, I must create a safe environment that feels like a community. This community starts with respect. Although each student is unique, there are many things that we can find a common ground. When building off of the things that we have in common, we should learn to appreciate the differences.
Instead of having an emotionally flat environment, my classroom should be an open minded place where the backgrounds of my students are the root of learning. They need to be taught early on that God gave diversity to us as a gift and that it is not just a part of the classroom, but it is a part of life. Children love to tell stories. Letting them share their social or cultural background is something that will make the students aware of what is going on outside of their own lives. Projects should be incorporated where the students get a chance to show off the special nature of their individual lives. We all might learn a little something from that and take it with us throughout the rest of our lives.
I want my students to feel safe, respected, and ready to grow. I hope that in creating a classroom management plan like this, I will find success in making my students feel a sense of belonging. I will build relationships with each of my students, requiring me to get to know their backgrounds. At the beginning of the year, I will ask them to create a biography flipbook. In this flipbook, I will be able to get to know each one of them individually, demonstrating their learning styles and background.
