Imagined Classroom

http://lessonswithlaughter.com/when-you-enter-this-classroom-door-decor/
I love how this door is decorated to remind the students each time they enter of everything they are capable of doing and becoming. I want my classroom to be like this to inspire my students to try and do their best, and to help them feel comfortable in my class.

http://simplysecondgrade.blogspot.com/search/label/water%20cycle
I want my classroom to have posters like this so that kids will learn different things wtihout even realizing it, like this water cycle poster. I like how visual it is, so the kids can see exactly how it works.

http://mrsosterman.blogspot.ca/
I remember having boards like this in my elementary school classroom, and I want to have one in my future classroom where the kids can learn about the days of the week, months of the year, date, numbers, weather, and more. It makes it fun and interactive, because the students can move things around and learn hands-on.

http://www.teachercreated.com/decorative/paper-lanterns
I want to decorate my future classroom with cute things, like this very hungry caterpillar, that are from children's books. I think it would motivate them to read more and to use their imaginations and be creative.

http://sharingkindergarten.com/new-year-new-ideas/
I like how this classroom is set up with small groups of students at round tables, so they can work together and make friends. I want my classroom to be neat and organized, but also feel comfortable and happy for the students.

2. My future classroom is well-organized and clean, and the students sit in small groups of about 5 or 6 at circular tables. The room is colorful, but not too filled with decorations. There are posters on the wall that help kids learn, and there is a board with a calendar, the alphabet, the numbers 0 through 10, and more. There are many books, and the students can read them if they finish their work early or if there is a break. There are also art supplies, which we will use to help the kids learn certain things, such as the water cycle. There are different manipulatives, like blocks, which we will use for learning math.

3. The students in my classroom come from all different backgrounds, and each table has diverse students, so they will not be prejudiced or stereotype others. There are black, Hispanic, Asian, and white students all learning together. They love to learn, do art, sing, play, and read, all of which will be incorporated in our lessons. This keeps them interested and willing to listen and participate.

4. My class rules are to listen when the teacher is talking, to be respectful of others, to raise your hand when you want to say something, and to follow instructions. I will have a board with a green light, a yellow light, and a red light, and all the students' names will be on it with magnets. If they don't follow the rules, their name will get moved down to the yellow (warning zone), and if they disobey again, it will go to the red and I will contact their parents. Homework needs to be turned in on time, but if they turn it in late I will accept it for 10% less each day it is late.

5. Something I will be teaching is math. I will teach lessons about addition, because it is very important and they will use it all their lives. First, I will give them manipulatives, like blocks, and word problems for them to try to figure out. Then, they can talk to their groups and see if they got the same answer as the other kids, and if not, try to work it out. Then, I will have the students volunteer to share how they solved the problem. I want students to learn that they are intelligent and can figure things out on their own, and also the importance of sharing with others and listening to their ideas.

6. During the lesson, I will be walking around, observing the students. Then, when they're done and they think they have figured it out, I will call them up to the board and tell them if they got the correct answer or not; even if they didn't I will congratulate them and remind them that it's good to make mistakes sometimes because it helps us learn. Then, I will discuss different strategies for solving the problems.

7. My students are focused and intent during the lesson. They try different strategies, like counting on their fingers, drawing pictures, and using objects to represent numbers. They listen to each other and respect one another's ideas. They participate and share their ideas without embarrassment or shame, because they know that they're trying, which is what's most important.

8. I will give completion grades on most assignments, because I have been learning about how making mistakes makes our brains spark and grow more than getting everything right the first time. I will have few tests, and I will have a lot of participation in class, which will help me see how the students are growing and learning.