Transcript KID STUFF - Petersburg City Public Schools

Effective Classroom
Interactions: Supporting
Young Children’s
Development
Dava Allen-Miller
Shonda Harris-Muhammad
Dr. Shauna Mayo
Emotionally Safe
Classroom
Creating an emotionally safe classroom
Introduction
• A safe and supportive classroom is one where all
members feel valued and affirmed.
• Where all are encouraged to think about and express
their feelings, opinions, goals, and dreams.
• A safe and supportive environment is vital to
encouraging social, emotional, and academic learning
The Foundations of an Emotionally Safe
Classroom
• Dependent upon the establishment of shared values and
beliefs among the children & adults.
• Children should feel that it is acceptable to have feelings and
beliefs that can be expressed without fear, judgment, and/or
retaliation.
• There should also be an expectation that every child can learn
if and when appropriate considerations are given to the
various learning styles and multiple intelligences.
Characteristics of an Emotionally Safe
Classroom
• Every child is valued as an individual and their worth is not
determined by their academic ability or performance.
• Interactions between children are respectful and they are able
to express themselves without fear.
• An emotionally safe classroom enables children to connect
with adults and/or groups who will value, support, and
celebrate them.
Creating an Emotionally Safe
Environment
• Students must be assured that teachers will manage the
classroom environment and relationships among students.
• Strife or fear in the learning environment can cause a negative
filter that interferes with students ability to process learning
and perform
• The positive relationships that develop between students and
teachers, in turn, influence academic performance are key to c
creating an emotionally safe class environment
(Baker, Terry, Bridger, & Winsor, 1997; Charney, 2000; Noddings, 1992)
Benefits of an Emotionally Safe Classroom
• For optimal learning to occur, students must be able to
explore, debate, problem-solve, and practice their skills.
• A positive, happy, and emotionally safe learning environment
enhances this and allows higher-order thinking to occur.
• Fear, stress and negative emotions inhibit higher-order
thinking, prevent children from being able to complete work
and may lead to behavioral difficulties.
Eight Steps for Creating Supportive Rules
with Students
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Invite students to reflect
Invite students to collaboratively brainstorm
Frame the rules in the positive
Condense the list to a few global rules
Celebrate, share, and display the rules
Refer to the rules to hold students accountable
Encourage students to hold the community accountable to the
rules
• Revisit the rules periodically
Avoiding Negative Emotions
• Threat, Stress, & Anxiety
• Low Self-esteem & Learned Helplessness
• Poor motivation
• Rewards
Strategies for Dealing with Negative
Emotions
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Positive Feedback
Clear Expectations
Reducing Focus on Grades
Giving Choices
Enhancing the Perception of the Value of Learning
Setting Goals
Managing Emotional States
Implementing Silence & Wait Time
Increasing Parental Involvement
• Make it easy for parents to participate
• Locate some meetings and activities off-site
• Offer classes and workshops for parents based on their
interest
• Offer opportunities for the community to “cross-pollinate”
• Be creative with event scheduling
A good teacher can inspire hope,
ignite the imagination, and
instill a love of learning.
Brad Henry
Providing students with a safe environment opens the
door to children learning in a place where they are
valued, and able to express their feelings
Classroom Culture
Creating a Positive Classroom Environment
Teacher-Student Bonds
• One of the greatest problems that small
children face when they begin school is
separation anxiety.
• Teachers can help students deal with issues
such as separation anxiety by establishing
strong student-teacher bonds and a positive
classroom community.
Classroom Community
Teacher-Student Bonds
• The bond between a teacher and his/her
students is one of the most important
aspects of establishing a positive classroom
culture.
• A positive culture helps the teacher manage
behavioral issues particularly those issues of
students with disabilities.
Establishing Strong Bonds
• Get to know your students on the first day of
school.
– Play games
– Fun icebreakers
• Care for your students.
– Talk to you students
– Offer extra help when you can.
• Start each day by chatting with your students
– Shows them that you are interested in their
activities outside of school
Physical Environments
• The physical environment of a classroom
explain a lot about your expectations as
a teacher (Konza, Grainger, &
Bradshaw, 2001).
Physical Environments
• The physical classroom
environment includes:
– Desk arrangements
– Classroom decorations
– Music in the classroom
Desk Arrangements
• Desks can be arranged in multiple ways to help
facilitate a positive physical environment
– Desks in u-shapes are recommended so that all
students can see each other easily.
– Groups help stimulate student discussion
– Rows are good for independent work
– Works stations are great for students who have
good self management skills
Classroom Decorations
• A bright classroom helps create a welcoming
environment.
• Students like to see their own work on
display.
• Class-made posted helps students develop a
sense of belonging to the classroom.
• Plants and animals can have positive effects
on the classroom (Nicholls, 2006).
Music in the Classroom
• Music can be a great addition to any
classroom.
– Can be used as a reward
– Can create a positive mood
– Can help broaden musical experiences
– Comfort/calm and help focus students
Conclusion
• Creating a positive physical and emotional
classroom environment for students leads
to the students striving daily to achieve
academic success.
• “It is easier to build strong children than
to
Frederick Douglass
• “It is easier to build strong children
than to repair a broken men”
A key component to creating a supportive
learning environment is maximizing the
time spent with each student.
Banking Time:
What is it?
Investing in relationships
Banking Time
• A session with a teacher and the student
that takes place 2-3 times a week that is
focused on the child
• Consistent
• Child/Youth Focused
• Time spent not teaching but time spent
developing
The Teacher’s Role
• Observing: taking a mental note
• Narrating: Reflection (sportscaster
Technique)
• Labeling: When you communicate
out loud what you notice
• Developing a relationship: Think
about important messages
All about Regard for
Youth Perspectives
Investing in Relationships
Part II
Do we REALLY
Understand?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVOzxKmwz8g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPTnhJAIb0A
Controversial Facebook Page
Overcoming Bad Habits
All about the relationships:
What is the Goal?
• To strengthen your relationship with
your student who has become difficult
to work with or teach
• Students who have a difficult time
managing their feelings and their
behavior in the classroom and school
surroundings
Investing Relationships