Classroom NORMS
At the beginning of the year, our class collaborated to create our classroom norms. We approached this by focusing on four key areas: teacher to student, student to teacher, student to student, and student to environment norms. The process was fun and engaging, allowing everyone to actively participate. Together, we brainstormed ideas, revised and refined them, and finalized our list. These norms are now proudly displayed in our classroom as a constant reminder of the expectations we established and must follow as a community.
- Teacher to Student Norms
- Student to Teach Norms
- Student to Student Norms
- Student to Enviorment Norms
Whole Class Participation
Hand up-Stand up-Pair up
Step 1: Teacher asks a question.
Step 2: Students stand up, put there hand high up in the air, walk around the classsroom, and pair up by high fiving someone.
Step 3: Partner A answers the question then partner B answers the question. (Repeat steps 1-3 as desired).
Step 5: repeat steps then come together as a class and discuss.
This method encourages active participation, promotes collaboration, supports diverse learners, boosts engagement, and helps executive functioning.
Musical Pair Up
Step 1: Teacher asks a question.
Step 2: (Teacher plays song from classroom playlist) Students stand up and starts daning around the room.
Step 3: (Teacher pauses music) Students pause where they are and pair up with the person standing closet to them.
Step 4: Partner A speaks, partner B speaks. (repeat step 1-3 as desired).
Step 5: Discuss as a class.
This method encourages active participation, promotes collaboration, supports diverse learners, boosts engagement, helps executive functioning. This one is a classroom favorite!
Turn and Talk
Step 1: Teacher asks a question.
Step 2: The student turns to a student sitting next to them and assigns partner A and Partner B.
Step 3: Partner A talks, then Partner B talks (Repeat 1-3 as desired).
Step 4: We come back together as a class and discuss.
This gives students who might not feel comfortable speaking in front of the whole class a chance to participate and gives them more time to think through their answers, which can help them feel more confident when it’s time to share with everyone.
Flexible Seating/ Spaces in the Classroom
Flexible seating offers numerous benefits in the classroom. It provides students with the opportunity to choose seating options where they feel most comfortable, enhancing their focus and productivity. This choice empowers students to take ownership of their learning and fosters independence. By accommodating various seating preferences, flexible seating supports diverse learning styles and encourages movement, which is especially beneficial for students who thrive with physical activity. Overall, it creates an inclusive environment that meets the needs of all learners, including those with sensory or physical challenges.
A "Take a Break" space provides a supportive environment where students can pause, reflect, and reset when they feel overwhelmed or dysregulated. By using this space, students develop key executive functioning skills such as emotional regulation, self-awareness, and decision-making. It empowers them to recognize their own needs and take appropriate actions to meet those needs, fostering a sense of independence and ownership over their emotional and academic success.