"If children feel safe, they can take risks, ask questions, make mistakes, learn to trust, share their feelings, and grow." -Alfie Kohn
Establishing a Positive Learning Environment
For students to succeed academically, emotionally and socially in school, their environment needs to be a positive and productive one. There are
many components that go into making a positive learning environment for students.
For starters, students need an environment that is safe where rules and procedures are taught; the expectations are clear. Secondly, a classroom
where positive relationships are encouraged and modeled increases learning. Students are more likely to take risks and openly share their thoughts and opinions in an environment where trust and respect are fostered.
Below is a list of ideas teachers can use for creating a positive, productive learning environment for students.
"Master" Cards
"Master" cards are given to students who have earned recognition for a variety of things such as: listening, cooperation, kindness, teamwork, reading, writing, thinking, and mastering math facts. You can have a special day of the week when you hand out the cards, or you can give them to students whenever you feel is the right time. Students can collect them in a special lanyard pocket, or they can take them home to share with their family. Another idea is the have a "Master" Card Club where you take photos of the students and hang them under the "Master" Card they earned.
To download the sheets for these (there are 10 on one sheet) to print, click on each card below. I suggest using business card sheets to make it easier and faster to tear apart.
To download the sheets for these (there are 10 on one sheet) to print, click on each card below. I suggest using business card sheets to make it easier and faster to tear apart.
Silent Messages
Many times during my teaching career, I would lose my voice. To keep it strong, I needed to come up with an idea. So here it is. The Silent Message Paddle.
Benefits:
-Students have to watch carefully and pay close attention.
-You are providing visuals to students who are ELL and/or students who struggle with reading.
-It's portable. You can use it while walking down the hallway and/or during assemblies.
How To Make It:
-Get some sort of paddle (ping pong, badminton paddle, etc.) I bought mine at a Goodwill-like place for very cheap.
-Print the command cards (below).
-Laminate the cards.
-Punch two holes at the top of each card. Place rings through the cards and attach them to the top of the paddle.
Benefits:
-Students have to watch carefully and pay close attention.
-You are providing visuals to students who are ELL and/or students who struggle with reading.
-It's portable. You can use it while walking down the hallway and/or during assemblies.
How To Make It:
-Get some sort of paddle (ping pong, badminton paddle, etc.) I bought mine at a Goodwill-like place for very cheap.
-Print the command cards (below).
-Laminate the cards.
-Punch two holes at the top of each card. Place rings through the cards and attach them to the top of the paddle.
YOU ARE...
Think of three adjectives that describe each student. Write these three words and leave it on their desks. This not only introduces new vocabulary words for the students, but also helps their self-esteem and confidence. It also helps build positive relationships. For the sheet to use, click below.
| when_i_think_of_you.docx |
|
High Five!Use the outline of the hand to provide positive feedback. List five points (one on each finger) and a summary in one word on the palm. Another option is to run the hand outline on colored paper with one word of praise. Have the hand cut out and place it on the child's desk for a nice surprise to start off his/her day!
Click on the document below for the HIGH FIVE hands. |
| highfive.docx |
Read In Day!
This is such a fun and relaxing way to celebrate the love of reading. It's called "Read-In Day."
- Move all the furniture to the edges of the room, so there is a lot of open space.
- Students bring sleeping bags, blankets, pillows and a stack of books to read.
- The day is spent reading, sharing favorite parts of a book, reciting poetry and having GUEST READERS.
- You can invite parents to pop in throughout the day to read with their child.
