Classroom Environment Heather Brown Grayson County College 5 May 2012

HEATHER BROWN, CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT Classroom Environment

The class meets outside in a portable, but includes everything the instructors and children require within the classroom. Upon entering the portable, the first thing one would notice is the home-like feeling of the classroom. On the right-hand side of the classroom is a large television set with a blue couch and chair in front of it. On the opposite wall from the television is the teachers desk, and on the wall perpendicular to that sits two computers for the students to do reading and listening assignments on. In the middle of the classroom is a round table for the students to do their writing assignments on. In the back of the classroom are a bathroom on the right hand side is a full restroom, since sometimes the students require assistance with basic tasks, such as brushing their teeth. On the opposite side of the classroom, but also in the back, is a full kitchen, including a dishwasher, microwave, and stove. The students arrive in the classroom at different times, with most arriving first thing in the morning, and one arriving about an hour later. The five students begin their day by taking attendance on the smart board. Two columns are displayed: one with the names of all the students in the class, and one which is empty. The students are called to the board individually to move their names from the roster to the present column. Once attendance has been taken, a student is called to the board to show the current date. The calendar is displayed with the month, and the selected student must move the correct date onto the correct spot on the calendar. Next the students students review the days of the week to the Addams Family theme song, then review the months of the year to the Macarena. Only one student leaves the classroom to attend other classes; the remaining four students are in this classroom for every class, with the exception of physical education.

HEATHER BROWN, CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT The classroom has a very clean, pure smell, like that of fresh-washed clothes. The students are very meek and quiet, with the exception of one who has the occasional loud meltdown. They are the lower-functioning autistic students, as most of them are not able to speak very well, including one whose motor functions are not very strong. The five students are balanced with three adults, the teacher and two full-time aides. It takes the male aide to be able to control the child who has the emotional outbursts, since the childs hands must be restrained when he is in the middle of an episode to prevent the striking of other students. The teachers in this classroom have such a heart and desire to ensure that the students receive a well-rounded education. Though the students are instructed in methods that some might be considered out of the box, sometimes one must teach in different ways for the students to truly learn the curriculum. Having this heart is what reaches the students more than simply teaching the curriculum. The best teachers are those who reach the students on a deeper level, and truly connect with those they are trying to educate.