The 6th grade teacher I am working with offers choices often. If there is any free time she will give the students multiple options to choose from. For example if they have finished a test early she will tell them they can study for another topic, read silently, or work on homework. She also offers them choices when it comes to PE, she will allow them to vote for what game they play.
This teacher does a lot to make sure students feel safe and loved. I have noticed she makes it a point to not "call out" her students for poor behavior in the middle of class. She will pull them aside later and discuss it with them one on one. I think this helps students and teachers build a healthy trusting relationship because the student doesn't fear that that the teacher will intentionally use embarrassment as a tool to change behavior. The student will have a higher regard for the teacher, which seems to have been true in the case of this teacher and what I have observed. Additionally she has an absolutely zero tolerance policy for any kind of bulling whether it is mild or severe she treats it all as if it were severe. This helps the kids feel safe and like they have someone looking out for their well being.
This teacher has a very strict schedule. It is written out in timed segments on the board everyday and the students have learned what to expect and when. For example they do math everyday at 12:15-1:15, and science from 1:30-2:15, then they either have PE or free work time until clean up time at 2:45. I think this kind of set up makes it very easy for the kids to understand what they should be doing and what is expected of them. They get into a routine and that makes it easier to learn as kids thrive on structure. Of course there is recess and free time because it can't all be strictly structured. But when it comes to learning new and complex subjects such as math and sciences, it is important to help create a comfortable learning environment and using a routine or schedule can play a role in accomplishing this.
This teacher does a lot to make sure students feel safe and loved. I have noticed she makes it a point to not "call out" her students for poor behavior in the middle of class. She will pull them aside later and discuss it with them one on one. I think this helps students and teachers build a healthy trusting relationship because the student doesn't fear that that the teacher will intentionally use embarrassment as a tool to change behavior. The student will have a higher regard for the teacher, which seems to have been true in the case of this teacher and what I have observed. Additionally she has an absolutely zero tolerance policy for any kind of bulling whether it is mild or severe she treats it all as if it were severe. This helps the kids feel safe and like they have someone looking out for their well being.
This teacher has a very strict schedule. It is written out in timed segments on the board everyday and the students have learned what to expect and when. For example they do math everyday at 12:15-1:15, and science from 1:30-2:15, then they either have PE or free work time until clean up time at 2:45. I think this kind of set up makes it very easy for the kids to understand what they should be doing and what is expected of them. They get into a routine and that makes it easier to learn as kids thrive on structure. Of course there is recess and free time because it can't all be strictly structured. But when it comes to learning new and complex subjects such as math and sciences, it is important to help create a comfortable learning environment and using a routine or schedule can play a role in accomplishing this.
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