Creating a Safe Learning Environment

As I prepare for fourth grade, in front of me I have my standards, my test specs, my DOQ wheel, my supplemental resources, the text book, my laptop open, and of course a notebook of paper on top of my calendar, "Brain."  Whew, I swear under this mess somewhere  I have a recently vacuumed  floor. (It's hiding at this point.)

Through all this necessary mess I know tomorrow all this comes second, I must first set the tone for a calming, welcoming environment. 
I recently read an article about a teacher who starts his day by complementing every student when they walk in the room. (Click this link if your curious!) 

I realize they may not have a huge thanksgiving feast this week with their families. I realize that our school may be the safe place for some of our students, I realize these couple of hours with us may be the brightest part of their day. I realize that our students may not have any control and consistency in their life. Can we offer that consistency for a portion of their day? Can we create an environment clear of what is going to happen next, through this comes a feeling of control, behavior management and greater learning. 

So it got me thinking...how will I welcome the students into a safe inviting environment while setting the tone for a learning day?
These are my plans:

• I will clean and organize the room, and free it of clutter. 
• I will greet the students by name and with a smile when they enter the room. 
• I will give  a personal and specific compliment to every student no later than 11 am. 
• I will play calming music upon entering the room and when the students are working independently.
• I will have "steps to success" or procedures on the board when they come in. These procedures will include where to put their items, what morning work to do, and to read and respond to morning message. 
• I will celebrate the season of giving through rigorous instruction. 
• I will celebrate with the students over a lunch in the classroom before the long break. 
• I will remember that kids need structure, and remember a quote from the wise Rita Pierson, "Kids don't learn from people they don't like."  (What's that you say, you haven't watched "Every child needs a champion"?!? Click here! UHHMazing!)
• I will always put the students first. Always. 

I look forward to providing a welcoming and calm classroom environment for our students. 

Let's share ideas and comment below; how do you set the tone for a safe welcoming learning environment?

November Committees

Committees are a large piece of what makes Imagine special. Committees allow us to monitor our school's growth based off of the Measures of Excellence. 

Reviewing the Measures of Excellence and Roles:
(Roles as determined from Inside Imagine)

Super Committees:

• Academic Growth

Role: Promote data driven decision based on our learning gains data, monitor curriculum and instruction action plans.

• Character and Shared Values

Role: Cultivate a culture of character at your school, promote teaching right from wrong, justice, and the importance of serving others and integrate positive character into student leadership and sports while emphasizing citizenship, service and correlating positive character to success in school and in life.
Role: Teaching our teachers, leaders and other staff members what our shared values are (Justice, Integrity and Fun = JIF), what they mean and how we can embrace them in our workplace.

• Parent Choice, School Development, and Economic Sustainability 

Role: Promote your school as the community’s first choice for education. Develop marketing plans, parent involvement plans and monitor parent satisfaction.

 Role: Promote the school’s development (programs, facilities, services, technology)  Promote the school to the community (marketing, media relations)

Promote the school’s growth or expansion (new building, new rooms, into a middle school or high school feeder pattern)

Role:Find ways for your school to live within your means. Prioritize needs, find ways to cut costs, generate more revenue and educate staff and students in financial literacy.

After the reiwing committee meeting comment on the following:

State your Super Committee:

When reviewing your committee goals what action steps have you accomplished thus far? When did you accomplish them?

What action steps are still left to take? What is your roll out date for these action steps?

Classroom Environment

Classroom Environment is crucial for student success. Without the physical environment, we cannot achieve the higher lever of engagement, differentiation, quick and safe transitions, nor the cooperative learning that we know is imperative to student growth. 

Using the picture below (document was also placed in your box) post a  comment, reply with:

I am rocking_________ in my physical environment.

I can grow with _________in my physical environment.