Positive Classroom Environment

Section One:
Has a statement of positive expectations ready for the first day of school
On the first day of school I would like to start a continuous journal entry assignment for that
school year. The idea came from a book called Wonder by R.J. Palacio. In this book the teacher, Mr.
Brown starts a Journal of Precepts for the students. Each month there is a new quote that the
students write down in his or her notebook and the class, as a whole, discusses them. At the end of that
month they write an essay on what that precept means to them. Accommodations will be made
depending on the grade level but I really admire the idea behind this assignment. Each month they
write the teachers precepts and write about it and at the end of the year the students make their own.
One of my favorite precepts he wrote was: When given the choice between being right or being kind,
choose kind. That quote is from Dr. Wayne W. Dyer. Students learn so much from discussing life lessons
like this. Writing be kind is a very efficient way to positively reinforce that expectation. Another idea I
am very fond of is the students making their own classroom rules. I want them to work together and
come up with five rules that everyone, including me, must abide by. Along with the rules they will come
up with consequences they see fit for the rule broken. This way it is more student-led and they will be
motivated to keep themselves in check as well as their peers. My last first day action will be to assign
each student their own job or leader role. Everyone will have something they are responsible for and
therefore set expectations for them individually as well as together as a team.
Create a classroom climate that communicates positive expectations
Charles Galloway stated, Give an elementary student three days, and the student will mirror
you. Give a high school student ten days, and the student will mirror you. In The First Days of School,
the author talks about how we (teachers) are walking, talking advertisements. In every sense that is

correct. We are role models that these kiddos look up to everyday. They observe our professional
attire, our demeanor, and they know when we are having off days. We have to set the example that we
want them to mirror. The first step to creating positive classroom expectations begins with us.
According to ascd.org there are seven strategies for building positive classrooms, it is called the Positive
Action Program. The first step is to make learning relevant: By connecting learning to the real world
students are able to gain a higher understanding for what they are being taught. This also help students
to gain insight on positive and negative behaviors. Discussions with students identifying ways they like
to be treated is a very effective way to establish a deeper understanding. Second, create a classroom
Code of Conduct. This goes back to the students making their own rules and consequences. Laying the
ground work for the rest of the year is beneficial towards the way you want students to treat others.
This sets up any expectations that lead to the third. Third, teach positive actions. Students need to be
taught positive behaviors and for it to be consistent, they thrive in routine. We cannot assume students
know behaviors that are warranted. Fourth, instill intrinsic motivation. Teaching that people feel good
when they do good is a huge step for younger kiddos. When people exhibit positive behaviors they feel
good about themselves and it is contagious within society. Fifth, reinforce positive behaviors. This
would be a great way to introduce positive reinforcements and how they may be earned. Recognizing
students behaving appropriately and making a point of rewarding them with a kind word is something
they really enjoy. Saying something like, I really like how [student] is cleaning up his work area quietly,
shows other students the behavior you are looking for. They will lead by example. Sixth, engage
positive role models. Incorporating the students parents/guardians is a great way to integrate positive
role models into your classroom, like career day or show and tell. This helps the students learn about
their community and gets the family members more involved. Last but not least, Always be positive. As
hard as it can be on some days, the best thing a teacher can do is leave their problems at the door. Stay
positive, show that every day is a new day, with new possibilities, and that this too shall pass.

Convey positive expectations to all students

Motivational quotes are always good to fall back on and incorporate into the classroom. To me
this would be again using the precepts. It is an easy, effective way to reach all kids by having a
classroom discussion about what certain quotes mean to them. If two students see a quote in very
different ways I see that as a learning opportunity as to how they came to different understandings.
Teachers always have motivational posters and signs scattered throughout their classrooms for this very
reason. Telling someone you believe in them and they can do it can make a huge difference for some.
Maybe they dont have that at home, or maybe they need an extra little boost in confidence. This is
something I would assess on the first day while getting to know my students. I want to know what
motivates them, how do they respond to different types of support, and what I can do to make it more
meaningful for them. One quote I would have in my classroom somewhere on the wall would be, You
are important to me as a person. I would have this quote because everyone needs to know they are
important to someone. Feeling important is fulfilling, gives the receiving end a sense of happiness,
therefore motivating them to do well. I can see myself having small groups in the classroom making
motivational posters to hang on the walls during the first week of school. We need to decorate the
classroom to fit the students we have and show their own personalities throughout. We are a team in
every aspect when we walk in that door, a community of learners. The First Days of School book
states the five significant concepts that enhance positive expectations. These will be used in my
classroom and my everyday life: Name, Please, Thank You, Smile, and Love. These are so simple that
you cannot mess this up. Using manners is a very serious aspect of my family especially with all the
kiddos we have running around now. I think this would make a world of difference with the students. I
always tell my niece, Show respect to receive respect. I do think it is a good motto to live by.

Has a personal attitude of high expectations

The article, Teacher expectations and student achievement, suggests that there is a
correspondence between what a teacher expects from his/her students and what those students
achieve. Goldenberg came to the conclusion that teacher-student interactions are very complex and it
is the manner in which a teachers expectations influence teaching and interactions with that child that
has the greatest impact on their achievement. What Goldenberg realized is that we have different
expectations for every student, but we need to put in time and effort with all students in order for them
to achieve the end goal. Some students will need more one on one time that others but I intend to work
with each student to help them reach their full potential. When struggling with a student, like in the
article, that does not finish work I would start by giving them small tasks by breaking it down. If they
can realize that getting one objective done at a time is less stressful than focusing on the whole
assignment I believe that would help considerably. If there are not clear expectations for individuals as
well as the class as a whole there will be nothing but confusion and acting out. I really liked that in one
of the samples you provided they talked about having a daily expectations board. That would be very
beneficial for the students to see something like that on the wall and would also motivate them. I would
really like to use that in my classroom, to be able to say this is what we are doing, when we are doing it,
and what I expect from you as well as myself.
Section Two:
Helps organize a first day of school celebration

If I could help organize anything for a first day of school celebration I would have to go with a
School Years Eve party! A website called thedatingdivas.com has twenty five fun ways to celebrate the
new school year that gets kiddos hyped up for what is to come. I would have the school years eve party
on meet the teacher night and along with other staff we will organize and carry out a celebration similar

to New Years Eve. Meet the teachers night would start as it traditionally does where parents and
students meet the teacher and see the classroom. We would then have open discussions about any
questions parents or students may have. Later, at the party we would have a balloon drop with the
school colors and games for students to play. There would be a potluck buffet with labels to show what
ingredients were used in making them and if at all possible I would love to have a craft area where
students could design and decorate their own water bottles that they can bring to school with them.
Plans a classroom welcome for the first day
The classroom welcome is a huge impact on how the school year starts. Teachers and students
alike are nervous and excited. I would like to really get to know my students and do a lot of fun name
games and guessing games. Students will pick their seats to start off with until I can better assess which
students may need to be where. To start I will share a little about me and present a slideshow of my
husband animals and hobbies that I enjoy. I will go through a short tour of our classroom and talk about
the different centers I will have set up like technology, art, math, and reading. We will conduct a
classroom discussion on what class rules and consequences we will choose for our classroom. We will
go over how they will choose one book each for me to add to my book nook inside the classroom and
organize our supplies into cubbies. Students will bring one item for show and tell so that their
classmates can get to know them and their hobbies as well. I will participate in all first day games and
activities. I am also a Harry Potter fan and would like to sort the class into four houses. This is to be
used for future projects and activities throughout the school year. After we have been sorted into
houses and have our seats and supplies organized students will work in groups to create decorations for
the classroom including, motivational pieces and a rules chart. After that I will assign community
leadership positions in which each student has a job or responsibility that they must carry out for two
weeks.

Ensures the mental and physical well-being of all students

A great way to ensure the mental and physical well-being of all students in the classroom is to
have morning meeting activities. Every day does not need to be the same but needs to be similar
enough that the students are still in a structured routine. In a morning meeting I would use some kind
of manipulative like a bean bag or stress ball with glitter in it. You pass the manipulative around in a
circle and each student tells the class one positive thing that they liked that morning. Each student
shares and we transition into a class discussion about who shared the most liked thing. Everyone gets to
share something and gets to have input in whose share was the favorite. Along with morning meetings I
would like to include a thoughts box. I will check this box at the end of every day and if there is
something a student feels they would like to talk about or ask questions about, whether it be personal
or school related, I then get back to them the next day. It is very important that the students know they
can come to me with anything at any time. If what the student needs to speak with me about is time
sensitive I will have the students come up with a hand gesture or signal in order to inform me that they
need a minute alone with me. I would also like to include brain breaks throughout the school day.
During these brain breaks students will get five to ten minutes to pick from different stations where they
can relax or play. They can read, draw, color, stretch, exercise, or play games. Basically just a few
minutes for them to decompress and motivate them to focus once class begins again.
Creates an environment for all students to succeed
I cannot find the video from which I got this idea from but it involves a desk-less classroom. The
video talked about how students succeed when they are comfortable and went on to explain the pros
and cons of having bouncy balls, bean bags, lawn chairs, and all different types of work areas for them to
do their class work on. Some kids wanted desks and some wanted to lay on the floor. Either way the
teacher made it possible for students to transition back and forth between different areas where they

could relax and focus on the assignment at hand. I found this very interesting and am looking forward
to learning more about it in the future. I have always been a person that fidgets and I keep a work out
ball near my computer for when I am using it for long periods of time. Sitting on the ball while working
helps me to better focus when I know if I have extra energy to spend I can bounce while I think. I have
tried this with my niece and she loved it. We now read books while taking turns bouncing on the ball.
This is just one way I would like to create an environment for all students. If I am able to individualize
their study area I feel that as a whole we will be a stronger team. A stronger team builds confidence and
you hear students supporting each other more often. In the class I am observing all the students have
their own jobs and I love watching them going around telling each other thank you for cleaning that up
or you are doing awesome being quiet in the hallway. It creates a very strong bond with the students
and teacher as well.
Section Three:
Has an inviting personality
An inviting personality starts with a smile. When you meet your students for the first time it is
easy to smile and be excited. Keeping that in mind you must also work on how to continue that
throughout the school year. I mentioned earlier that an effective teacher leaves their problems at the
door. In order to have an inviting personality you have to learn to leave all your stress and worries for
the outside world, outside. Smiling is contagious, if you are smiling at your kiddos, they will smile back
(most of the time). This one little thing can make a world of difference. Harry Wongs book states that
being an effective teacher must include smiling because it will increase positive expectations and
enhance it. It also goes on to say to address students by name and say please and thank you. All of
these things are showing the students respect, therefore modeling how you expect them to treat you
and their peers. An inviting personality also includes work attire. Dressing professionally can impact the

way your students view you dramatically. Coming to work looking like a slob will not get you the
attention you would want in comparison to coming into work dressed appropriately and put together.
Creates an inviting classroom environment. How will your classroom look?
My classroom will be full of color and lights. I want to have stations for art, technology, math,
science, and a book nook with a teepee. For seating arrangements I would start out with desks and later
alter that for what the students are most comfortable with. For example, I would like to have a few
standing desks, group tables with bouncy balls, and an area on a rug with bean bags and pillows.
Reading is something I absolutely love, there will be bookshelves everywhere and my favorite books
from childhood will be on display for the students to see. On the walls I will have blank posters tacked
up so the students can see that they will be filling those in with their creations, like a word wall. When
they walk in I want them to feel at home and comfortable but also see the potential for what they can
do with the room too. After all this is OUR classroom.
Works at being intentionally inviting
One way I like to be intentionally inviting is by telling really cheesy jokes. When I worked at the
hospital for a few years I caught on pretty quick to the fact that people of all ages need to laugh. I would
always come to work with several jokes I had learned just to tell my patients. One thing I will do as a
teacher is have a joke of the day. After the first few days students can bring in their own jokes and we
can share them with each other. I think it would be a great ice breaker and help to loosen up any nerves
the kiddos may have walking into the classroom. I also liked how you mentioned in your video that you
have to work on your facial expressions. That is something I would not have thought of and definitely
sound advice. When people get into, what I like to call, go-mode. They can be nave to what their face
looks like in the process and I really hope I can remember to keep that in mind when I start teaching.

References:

Becca, B. (2016). 25 Fun First Day of School Traditions. Retrieved November 04, 2016, from
http://www.thedatingdivas.com/25-fun-first-day-of-school-traditions/
Palacio, R. J. (2012). Wonder. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
A. (n.d.). Seven Strategies for Building Positive Classrooms. Retrieved November 03, 2016,
from http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept08/vol66/num01/SevenStrategies-for-Building-Positive-Classrooms.aspx
@. (n.d.). Teacher expectations and student achievement. Retrieved November 03, 2016, from
http://www.ernweb.com/educational-research-articles/teacher-expectations-and-studentachievement/

Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (1998). The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher.
Mountainview, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications.