Creating Positive Classroom Environments
It is said that a principal has the ability to make or break a school. If this holds true, then teachers are responsible for making or breaking their classrooms. One component of a good teacher is effective behaviour management (Sieberer-Nagler, 2016). A teacher should choose a method of organizing a class which creates the best atmosphere for learning. Another component is a passion for teaching. Employing such a teacher would ensure that students are motivated because passion makes one deliver a topic with an enthusiasm which would demonstrate its importance to the learners. A good teacher should have the ability to always stand by clear rules. Inconsistent and ambiguous rules will not make students understand the unacceptable or acceptable behaviour. A good teacher acts as a motivator (Sieberer-Nagler, 2016). A good teacher will not only encourage the students to learn but also be a source of motivation by showing them how to effectively learn. A teacher should also employ humour and make the learning interesting (Choe, n.d).
There are several strategies that a teacher may use to create an environment that accommodates and encourages students.
- Transform assessment.
The traditional use of standardized tests, quizzes and letter grades may be the enemy to many students. Transforming it other forms such as “self-assessment” may make the student more confident and motivated to learn and achieve more (Wolk, 2008).
- Allow students to have choices.
Students are able to achieve numerous things outside school, such as playing the piano because they have the freedom to pursue what they like. At school, students are mostly unmotivated because they are not allowed to pursue interests. Allowing students to make decisions of their own such as letting them choose books to read in the writing workshop will spark their love for learning and find it more interesting (Wolk, 2008).
- Get outside.
Students spend much time confined in a classroom. Taking them outside to read, write of have class meetings can work wonders as it will spark their joy hence improving their learning (Wolk, 2008).
References
Choe, Y. (n.d.). Becoming a positive teacher. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/ascd-
express/vol4/405-newvoices.aspx from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept08/vol66/num01/Joy-in-School.aspx
Sieberer-Nagler, K. (2016). Effective classroom-management & positive teaching. English Language Teaching, 9 (1). Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1087130.pdf
Wolk, S. (2008). Joy in school. The Positive Classroom, 66 (1), 8-15. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept08/vol66/num01/Joy-in-School.aspx