thisteacherisonamission2-blog

[thisteacherisonamission2-blog]

Establishing A Positive Classroom Climate

(Creating High Performance Learning Environments)

by Fritzie Mateo

*Roller Coaster Physics

Academic

The whole process of achieving the end result of the project is very visible to the students. From the individual level to the group level. The learning objective is crystal clear, each student’s role in the group was properly set-up. I can imagine the step-by-step process that the teacher implemented in delivering this lesson. From making the students understand the key concepts in their physics lesson to strengthening it by applying those concepts to their actual roller coaster project. The teacher’s high expectations for the students were well supported by resources and materials. The whole process was flawless and systematic. The planning phase, to simulation, and finally doing it in actual activity. The delivery of the lesson is very engaging and students know what are expected of them and they were able to respond well to the whole activity.  As much as I was inspired to make sure I deliver my lessons in a fun, engaging, and flawless way, it made me also feel how fun it would be to be a student in this class. There were a lot of strong elements that went on this particular lesson. Deep learning happened in this class. Really well done!

Behavior

The students were motivated to perform well individually. First the task was clear, the target was clear. Second, everyone knows that the success of their group relies on teamwork. There was a solid atmosphere that each one must contribute and work hard for the project to move forward to its successful completion. The collaboration of the students was really strong and the support and guidance of the teacher was very well-balanced.

Norms and Procedures

The most noticeable for me was the transition from one task to another. Students know and understand what they needed to do in each phase of the project from brainstorming to simulation process to actual testing. The instructions were clear that everyone was on task and time was used wisely in making the project work.

*Third Grade Chinese Math

Academic

This video shows a traditional teaching style. I have not done a lot and deep research about Chinese education system but it is pretty common knowledge that Chinese people place high value in their education. It is somewhat difficult to discuss or question whether the teaching style promotes high expectations for students when it is already a given that in China, students, parents, teachers, and the government already have that high expectation mindset when it comes to education and in some cases, to the outsider’s opinion, is quite extreme. Now, whether that is a healthy practice is another story. However do they get results? Yes.

Behavior

The example video is Chinese education. Culture wise, to some extent, you would expect that the students would cooperate well in class. It’s difficult to form an opinion whether the teacher’s teaching style is effective or not when Chinese students continue to dominate in international rankings for maths.

Norms and Procedures

The whole class is on task. The teacher has maned to create an atmosphere where students are cooperating at the task at hand. It seems like the teacher has already established a classroom culture that the students and teacher can focus on lesson.

*Whole Brain Teaching

Academic

This is a 21st century, revolutionary, steering clear of the traditional way of teaching. It looks fun and the teacher has put a lot of effort to come up with different teaching practices to engage the students in the lessons. Obviously, the teacher wants nothing but the best learning experience for her students in practicing this style of teaching. But I still wonder if this truly promote deep learning experience and understanding. Could the fun element of this strategy overshadow the understanding of the ideas and concepts?

Behavior

In the video the students are cooperating well to the idea of the teacher. The students are well immersed in the activity with the fun and play involved in the lesson.

Norms and Procedures

The class is doing a word-gesture connection and repetition style with a twist that probably helps in understanding concepts and information retention. Incorporating body movement helps create a story or association to the words and concepts.

*Learning Environment for my Students

I have delivered a lesson unit for my year 6 students similar to the physics video in terms of group dynamics. The lesson was about handling data for a business in a spreadsheet. The class was formed into groups and each student had a role just like in a real business or company setting. There was a manager position, secretary and treasurer.  The students handled an actual business activity selling shirts. This activity gave the students a real-life point of view and experience in connection to what they are learning in class. The class business was also tied to a fund raising activity that gave more purpose and meaning to their efforts.

The Chinese math class learning environment is probably something that every teacher has done in their class.  Some may not agree to this kind of teaching style but I believe, there is not one effective way or style to teach a lesson.  Every lesson is unique in itself and has its own needs in terms of imparting it to the lesson and the mood and atmosphere in every class varies on a daily basis depending also on the needs and level of competency of the student in one class.

The whole brain teaching style is something that I have already been incorporating in my lesson games that I do in the beginning of the class for introducing keywords. It is so much fun for me and the students and it helps them remember the keywords because of the repetition element in the game plus the association of the movement to the words. However, haven’t tried yet using gestures and body movements fully in the more in depth part of the lesson. I believe this strategy is helpful but I still want to find out if this promotes critical thinking for the students because I feel what it does is it makes it easier for the students to remember or understand information but along the process, is critical thinking involved?

Overall, it’s good to learn those three types of teaching strategies because there will always be a strategy that would be appropriate for different types of lessons, for different year levels, and for different student personalities and level of competencies.