Blog #6- Dakota Amaral

 Reading: What to Look for in a Classroom

Video: Introduction to Culturally Relevant Pedagogy 

Video: Classroom Tour 

Reflection: 

After watching the Classroom Tour video and reading What to Look for in a Classroom I have learned the appropriate way to decorate my classroom. In the reading there is a chart that highlights good signs and possible reasons to worry. This chart is a way to help educators line up their classroom in a way that will effectively enhance their students both emotionally and academically. It's important for students in a classroom to stay engaged but also feel as their work is being valued and they're not doing this for nothing. I want to highlight a certain part in this chart, what you observe on the wall. It's so important to have kids projects and assignments up on the wall to show off their good work and for the students to feel proud of themselves for the hard work they did. I also think another big thing to have on the wall is a list of all of your students and certain aspects about them, for example, if they have allergies. Just incase someone comes in to help or a substitute is aware and is able to easily find that list. I also think another big thing that should be on the wall is something that represents holidays or religion. For example, pride month or black history month should be resembled somewhere in the classroom at the appropriate time. 

Kohn also talks about in his chart certain things that could potentially raise red flags that you should avoid doing. Specifically during class discussion he points out that the teachers shouldn't be doing all the talking and that students should be engaged and eager to raise their hand to participate. I have been in a class where the teacher did all of the talking and answered all of her own questions without giving us a chance to participate. This can force students to shut down and stay quiet during class, but you should want your students eager to participate and excited to. 

This is an idea of a classroom set up that Is welcoming for the students, it gives them lots of room on the carpet, decorations are up, and there are colors everywhere. I know setting up a classroom like this can be challenging financially, but there are ways to make everything happen on a budget :) 

This is exactly something Kohn points out in his chart of chairs and desk in rows. This is not a good way for students to socialize and interact with each other. The walls are boring and lacking students work. Overall this classroom can be deceiving for students well being In school. 

Comments: As we have all been placed into a classroom, personally my teacher has done an exceptional job with her classroom. She has her desk set up and chairs alined around it for her students to interact with each other. Their work is ALL over the classroom along with black history posters, saint Patricks day stuff, valentines stuff, etc. She has a huge carpet big enough for everyone to sit and have room in between them. She has a wall of her students up with their names on it, and anything important that alines with that student, like allergies. Across her classroom, she has books in both English and Spanish so all of her students can participate. In the play area she has different colored baby dolls so the students feel more connected. I truly think having a classroom that it set up in the way Kohn describes is good is so so important for every student no matter the age group. It makes them feel at home, comfy, safe, all while staying engaged. Students during the school year spend more time at school than at home, so it's important that they feel welcomed by the space they spend majority of their time. I can tell my teacher does her absolute best because her students faces are always behind happy and ready to participate for the day.