Portfolio Assignment 1: Imagined Classroom

The following text is a description of my imagined future classroom: 

As my students enter for the day, they enter into a room that has become a safe haven of learning. The sign on the door, made by the students reminds them that they are a part of a learning family: I always try to help them to see their understand their importance in the classroom, even from their first step into the classroom. 

(source: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/83/8c/07/838c0712bf01739bda13c4d614bdea24.jpg)

Their creativity is sparked as they are inspired by the colorful banners that promote positivism and potential. The paper clouds and birds remind them that they can 'fly'. The flower pom poms we made as an art project show them that we are proud of our work. A large rainbow rug displaying the letters of the alphabet is spread across the floor, where my students sit each morning as I read a poem to spark our learning for the day. We recite the alphabet to show our progress and use our display board to talk about what we will be doing for the day.

(source: http://jcrebollido.blogspot.com/2013_04_01_archive.html)

When they finish all of their work and still have time to spare, the students are rewarded with the opportunity to choose a book and sit in the reading nook. I have bookshelves full of children's literature to inspire and uplift them. I chose to make a small fireplace out of paper because my favorite reading place growing up was in front of the large fireplace in our family room. This comfortable environment is where my students read and I can see a light grow in their eyes as they find new favorite stories. (source: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e1/41/8a/e1418ad0b6ff57b9ce3c6a12652cdb21.jpg) 

We are able to have such a safe environment of learning because the students understand their expectations. A display on the wall, carefully explained and reviewed often shows what we stand for together. 

(source: https://i2.wp.com/ideas.tpet.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Screen-Shot-2013-07-17-at-17.07.36.png?fit=493%2C750) 

 The students' desks are supplied with all the books, stationary and support they will need for the day. They know they are important and are here to learn because we always proudly display our organised desks. They even have a place to store their homework: in a folder with their name displayed. 

(source: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Jf7ALnXXBpcYXnCsnNkoyZEdHnrTdmyn52-hMkvItAJ_iEB32nY8IGc7L1L3jz9hQIEl1jSAo579idNB9IfEZGb776GrnuRo8vQkvV53vwaMnKgrJpI8awgYeDrPlbNgVhALr9eeaAw/s1600/IMG_9954.JPG) 

My first grade classroom is colorful and bright, filled with resources such as picture books to read, textbooks to study from, counters and other small things to use in math and science lessons as well as many displays for inspiration. We proudly display our best work and always know that trying our best is better than not trying at all. I make sure that my students get the best education they can and try to use my resources as much as possible to make lessons interactive and easily memorable so that the children can excel in their education. 

For example, we are having a math lesson all about subtraction and will be using a box full of small plastic bears to practice. 

Describe the students in your classroom. What are their backgrounds? What are their interests? What are they doing during the lesson?

My students are mostly from middle-class families that originate from all over the world. The children tell me stories of their family traditions, some of which include religious holidays such as Ramadan. For show and tell I invite my students to share their experiences and be proud of their heritage. They are all beautiful and unique children. My showing equality and respect at all times, an atmosphere of learning both from my lessons and from each other is created. The students are interested in learning about the world in which they live. They love when we go outside and discover what is in the playground. During the lessons they listen attentively, sometimes they can be a little fidgety but they try their best. We talk about showing respect by listening to others and saying kind words. 

(source: http://aplacetothrive.blogspot.com/2012/09/one-class-many-cultures-freebie.html) 

My class rules include: 

- we always show respect in actions and word 

(we never say things that would hurt others and we always listen, raising our hand if we would like to speak. We encourage others to do the same)

- we are a friend to all

- we always get all of our work done before having free-time

- we are honest in all we say and do, choosing to be an example to others

My discipline plan is: 

When we have problems that cause a disruption or other have been hurt, we always apologize and find a way to make it better. According to what they have done, consequences are given which include not being able to play outside during recess, missing out on story-time and other activities and potentially, having to speak with parents and the principal. 

My homework policy is: 

We have homework each week to assess our learning and remember what we learned in class. We can ask our parents or another adult to help us but we should always try our best. Homework that is turned in late or not at all results in having to spend some breaks in the class with the teacher instead of having fun with other students. 

(source: http://mathequalslove.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/growth-mindset-mistakes-poster.html?m=1) 

Describe a typical lesson you will teach in your classroom. What will you teach? What is the topic? Why did you choose this topic? How will you teach it? What is the main thing you want students to learn during this lesson? 

A typical lesson has been carefully planned out using a variety of resources so that multiple senses can be involved in the learning process. I will teach a science lesson based on the book 'we are going on a bear hunt' by Michael Rosen. We are going to explore the different parts of earth that the family encounter during their trip (including mud, grass, fields, water etc.). I chose this topic because I love helping my students discover the world around them through familiar things such as a book we read as a class. I will teach it by reading the book, page by page and using visual items such as a bowl of mud, grass etc to show the students the differences (as a sensory activity). We will then talk about why they are different and they will draw a picture and describe the differences on a worksheet. I want the children to observe the differences and be able to apply them to changes in environment. If the weather is good and we have completed our work, we will even go outside and reenact the story with our new understandings. 

During the lesson as a teacher, I am explaining, describing and showing my love for teaching as I teach. I make sure to ask questions, check for understanding and give an opportunity to my students to share their knowledge with the class. As I divide my class into small groups to complete the worksheet, I observe, interact with the students and positively support their learning. I make sure to praise them for their work and occasionally stop the class to show a student's work to the rest of his/her peers. 

My students excitedly listen as we discuss as a class, interact with me when I invite them to and never stop to think and find more things to learn. We begin the lesson by sitting on the rug as talking together about the different environments. To end the lesson, we work in small groups at our desks to color and describe our new learning. The students work together, asking questions and are not afraid to make mistakes. 

At the end of the lesson, as the students work together independently from my help to fill in their worksheet and remember their learning, I will see their understanding and check for their progress  by observing what they write and draw. Further, as we go over the story once again, I will invite students to lead the class and show their understanding.