How can you foster a positive classroom environment?

Get to know each of your students

-Greet them at the door each morning

-Use their interests when communicating with them

-Honor their talents

Encourage your students to interact in positive ways with one another

Praise your students in public. Discipline them in private.

Introduce non-violent ways to solve conflicts.

Praise your students for taking challenges even if they aren't successful

We use orange folders for studentswho are a part of our Student Study multidisciplinary team/s. We summarize interventions, response to intervention, etc in a final recommendations report/pdf. This will then go into the student’s file. What does this look like in your school?

How do you set up your classroom gathering spaces?

How do you prepare for your small groups so you can make the most of your time? I use these prepared baskets of materials so that students can get right to work when they visit with me!

How do you hold your students accountable during math centers? I give my students notebooks and they have to show how they solved math word problems or math fact families.

How do you help new classroom teachers mainstream exceptional students? Many new teachers struggle to make sure they are meeting the needs of all students. Any tips would be appreciated!

What are some PBIS systems that work + are sustainable at your schools?

Behavior Management

Students enjoy classrooms with a good management plan. In fact, students desire interesting, engaging teachers who create an effective learning environment. Watch a veteran teacher who has strong management skills. Somehow, management becomes nearly invisible, and the teacher seems relaxed and confident while students appear to be engaged and learning. How do they do this? It doesn’t happen by accident. Experience helps, but one difference is a strong management plan that builds on a foundation of good teacher/student relationships, clear expectations with consequences, and thoughtful organization that empowers instruction. A strong, well-thought-out plan prevents management problems before they arise.

What intervention strategies do you use to handle student behaviors?

What advice do you have for supporting 5th graders that are have a hard time learning to keep track of assignments/homework as they prepare for middle school?

How do you "catch up" students after 3 or more days of absence from illness?

What is your favorite reward for students? What do you celebrate? In first grade we set many small goals to get to a larger goal like learn 10 sight words or read 10 books. Each Friday as goals are met I give an invitation to lunch club. Students eat with me and we chat or watch a quick show while we eat. It has been a favorite for many years.

What is an effective tool that I can use in my classroom to support learning?