Teacher Learning Community

Spring 2018 TLC: Students as Partners in Creating a Positive Classroom Environment - Activity 4 Resources

Course leader:
SEED Team

Teacher Quality Standards

  • QS II: Teachers establish a safe, inclusive and respectful learning environment for a diverse population of students.
    • Element A: Teachers foster a predictable learning environment characterized by acceptable student behavior and efficient use of time in which each student has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults and peers.

Maximizing Learning

The resources in this activity provide a glimpse into components of a classroom in which students are invested along with the teacher in learning. In such a classroom, there is a shared sense of importance about the work that is being done, and as a result, behavior problems tend to be much less frequent. This shared sense of importance is reflected in a high level of cognitive engagement, students thinking critically and making sense of their learning, and engagement in meaningful work. The teacher has an important role in establishing such an environment with students by intentionally fostering the climate of the classroom and then supporting students as they learn together. As you view these resources, consider what teacher actions might foster the type of classroom environment that has a purposeful focus on learning.

Resources

For Students, the Importance of Doing Work That Matters

This article discusses the importance of building relevance in order to engage students in the classroom.

 

Are Your Students Engaged? Don’t Be So Sure

This post challenges some of our assumptions about engagement.

 

Keeping Students Accountable

This article gives some practical strategies for helping students to take charge of their own academic success.

It's a Mistake Not to Use Mistakes as Part of The Learning Process

This brief article provides examples of how teachers can take mistakes and turn them into positive learning opportunities.

The Case for Teaching for and with Metacognition

This book chapter in Teaching Students To Drive Their Brains makes the case that teaching about metacognition can help students better understand their learning.

Ratio: All Students Thinking Hard

This video offers a different way to look at student engagement, by thinking about ratio. Ratio is described as the proportion of teacher participation and thinking to student participation and thinking.