Ashlie Dente

February 6, 2017

Domain 2 The Classroom Environment Writing Piece

Domain two is all about the classroom environment. This is a major key in keeping your
students safe and your classroom the best environment for your students to learn. Without a set
of rules/guidelines for students to follow, there will be chaos no matter the age of your students.
I will create an environment that is filled with respect and rapport by interacting with my students
in a way that is encouraging. Students should always feel safe, wanted, and feel comfortable
enough to take any educational risks. Danielson states, students do not fear put-downs or
ridicule from either the teacher or other students (p. 33). I will create an environment where
students trust that I care for them and know that I will treat them with the utmost respect. I will
model these behaviors so they will do the same towards me and towards their fellow
classmates.
I will establish a culture for learning by creating an atmosphere where students know
and understand this is where we will learn. Students will understand what is expected from them
and they will know what is expected from me for them to learn. Students will understand that
even though sometimes the work may seem hard, I know they are capable of completing it.
Their classroom will have a lot of energy and always busy where their work will be done and
complete.
There are specific procedures that I will establish for managing my classroom. According
to Danielson indicators include: 1. Smooth functioning of all routines, 2. Little or no loss of
instructional time, 3. Students playing an important role in carrying out the routines, and 4.
Students knowing what to do, where to move (p. 41). From day one, students will learn the
routines of our classroom. They will learn how to transition from one activity to another, they will
understand their role during certain activities without me asking them to do so. During
workshops, they will know the routines and where to go. During the first couple weeks of school,
these routines will be introduced and engraved into their brains. Students will also know and
learn some of the hand signals that will be used throughout the year. These include: silence/
attention please (peace sign), finger and thumb (connection sign), etc.
There are specific procedures that I will establish to manage student behaviors in my
classroom. The first day of school a list of classroom rules will be reviewed as well as ones they
feel should be added. Students will be able to review the rules every day since they will be
posted. For the first week or two, these rules will be reviewed each morning. Students will sign
them to note that they understand. I will be alert at all times to see what is going on.
Compliments will be given when necessary. I will also have a compliment jar to use as students
are well behaved. When the jar is full, students will be rewarded with something they want like
PJ day, technology day, movie day, etc. For students needing extra in regards to behavior, the
proper protocol will be used.
My classroom will be set up for maximum student learning. There will be a certain area
for a reading library. Students will be able to book shop here for different books to read during
independent reading and partner reading. There will be a carpet used for group discussions like
morning meeting, interactive writing, read alouds, and any other times students are to come
together. There will be an area separate for math. Students will be able to find math games,
math charts, and any tools needed throughout math lessons. There will also, if possible, be a
semi-circle table for any times students are to work with a teacher either independently or as a
group. There will also be areas for tools students may need (crayons, pencils, sharpeners,
erasers, etc.). Students will also see a lot of anchor charts and their work around the room.
Students should be proud of the work so it will always be posted. The atmosphere will always
be inviting and pleasant with bright colors and artwork.
All of this will enhance my teaching and learning process by creating the best learning
environment for all of my future students. It will create an environment that is safe, comfortable
and full of learning. Students will be excited to learn and willing to learn. They will have structure
and routines that will rarely change.

Works Cited

Danielson, C. (2013). The framework for teaching: evaluation instrument. Princeton, NJ:
Danielson Group.