The Positive Classroom
Encouraging an Excitement for Learning in the Classroom
It's every teacher's dream to have a positive classroom environment; the kind of place where students actually want to learn and do their best. Creating this is something that stumps a lot of new teachers. Some students come to school ready to learn and have a natural bent towards desiring to gain new information. But how does one motivate the complacent student or especially the student who has been turned off to learning by past negative experiences?
Start the Year With High Expectations
Every class deserves to be thought highly of, despite what reputation they may have earned in the past. Every year is a brand-new start and needs to be treated as so. Create a fresh-start mentality from day one in the classroom by setting some reasonable, yet firm expectations of what the class will aspire to this year. State these to the students. Post them on the wall for all to see. Send them home to the parents. Have all students read them aloud with you as often as necessary until they are memorized. Explain why these expectations are being set, and what exciting results the class will have for their efforts. Make them clear and detailed expectations, stated in a positive tone. Some examples:
- This is a classroom where we do our best in attitude and action. What we do represents our class.
- It is our responsibility to come to class ready to learn, teachable.
- Respect for others is expected at all times in our class so everyone can learn.
Be a Model of Enthusiasm For Students
Students will only be as excited as their teacher is about learning. If teaching has become mundane, it's time to attend some workshops on new teaching methods. Read, read, read about what other teachers are doing in their classrooms. Visit other classrooms, even other schools, for new ideas. A teacher must never stop learning. When a teacher is in a learning process along with students, there is always something exciting to share.
Give positive attention to students who come to class with new information to share. A class news board or news center is an interesting way to post items students bring to class pertaining to what they are learning. This shows that students are thinking outside of the classroom and making the concepts applicable to everyday life. This gives merit to students who take learning seriously. Be on the watch for items that can be shared with the class as well.
The newspaper is a good resource, as is the public library and the internet. If it has to do with the subject, bring it in. Have a contest to see who can generate the most info. to share. Set aside a specific time in the class period just for sharing such news.
Make the Classroom Visually Appealing
Think bright, bold, beautiful and organized. No one wants to learn in a dull or chaotic environment. Find unusual ways to use ordinary materials in the classroom. Keep bulletin boards fresh and post excellent work as an incentive for students to do their best. A "word wall" of famous inspirational sayings will also work as a positive motivational tool for students. Create zones in the classroom for reading, writing, general supplies, learning centers, and display areas so things are neat and clean.
Involve Students In the Classroom
Assign individual students or teams of students to specific tasks to be done daily in the class. Points could be earned for a job well done. Allow students to have a voice in developing ideas for reward events and team names.
Help students develop a connection to their school by partnering them with other students in the school as book buddies, pen pals, math helpers, etc. Students can even anonymously send notes of appreciation and encouragement to staff members.
Get Parents and Other Guests Involved as Well
When parents are involved in the classroom, it sends a message to students that what is going on at school is important. At "Back to School Night" send a sign-up sheet around listing volunteer jobs available for parents to fill. Be sure to include those parents who cannot come to school by having some items to take home for cutting out, pasting, or filing. Enlist parents to speak to students about topics related to their jobs or hobbies. Get them involved in field trip chaperoning, food preparation for special events, and small group leadership.
Consider ways to get prominent people in the community involved in the school. Seek out professionals who are willing to give up 30 minutes to an hour of their time to speak to students on topics of study. The teacher should not always be the only one in front of students. There is so much to be learned from community members.
Celebrate the Uniqueness of Students
Every student needs to feel valued in order to have a positive school experience. Students must learn to not only be tolerant of the differences of other students, but also to value them. This starts with the attitude displayed by a teacher when teaching must be carried out in a different manner in order to reach every ability level.
Point out positive differences in each student. Explain to students how important uniqueness is. Design lesson plans to involve different learning styles . Make students a part of the learning process so that their gifts shine in front of others. Stretch the comfort zones of students by teaming them up with a classmate who thinks differently than they might think. In doing so, students will learn cooperation and appreciation of one another.
The climate of the classroom is the responsibility of the teacher. Enthusiasm is contagious. Keeping school positive, active, and interesting is rewarding not only for students, but also for teachers. A positive classroom is a place where learning is interesting, students are encouraged, and where people want to be.
