Norms & Values

At the start of the year students created a set of rules to follow as a classroom community.

During the first week of school Room 312, teachers and students alike worked together to create a list of behaviors which are the expectations of the classroom each day. I felt that it was important to have expected behaviors rather than rules (in a negative context) because it shows that Room 312 was designed to be an open, safe, and positive learning space. 

At the start of the year classroom management looked like Class DoJo points, then we traded this style for raffle tickets which could be given and taken away and at the end of the day was put into a raffle for a small reward (homework pass, ipad time, etc.) or at the end of the

Flashlight Friday

month students would be entered for a larger prize (cupcake, toy, etc.). From this point we noticed that are students benefited from this system, but it was not a needed in order for student growth or learning. From here we moved to incentives such as ” Flashlight Friday” or class prizes such as ice cream sandwiches. This was a testament to my students ability to follow expectations and work as a class. 

Equity & Access

               Lessons designed for our classroom were designed with our ELL students and 504 students in mind. The thought behind this is that if we are reaching the students who face the most challenges or barriers during full group teaching, then that ensures that each student is

Modeled hands on activities.

being reached. Following these group discussions we then move into independent work. The activity during these times were often individualized meaning that students were using a program which challenged them as they went along, the design provided choice, and this design gives space and time to ask my for assistance. If the post group discussion activity was not individualized, it was completed in groups or partners, also designed to  support students learning. Many activities were also highly supported, by examples and step by step instructions/ modeling

Objectives designed to communicate the focus of this lesson and support each student.

 In addition to these equity and access strategies we used objectives to make it clear to each student what they are to focus on during the following lesson. In addition to this, objectives such as these help lessons to be planned in order to open up the door to each student. During this planning we not only worked hard to create lessons which all students can access, but lessons were also designed to allow space to challenge themselves and take the lesson as deeply as they are ready for.