Creating a Positive Classroom Environment
DeAnn Swofford and Jonathan Ferrell
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Creating a Positive Classroom Environment
DeAnn Swofford and Jonathan Ferrell
Today’s Schedule
1:00 – 1:45 Presentation
1:45 – 2:00 Break / Discussion
2:00 – 2:10 DeAnn’s Mini Lesson
2:10 – 2:15 Move to Mr. Ferrell’s Room
2:15 – 2:25 Beginning of the Year Ideas
2:25 – 2:30 Questions
Today’s Resources
All of the resources used
today are published online at
mrferrell.pbworks.com
Feel free to use and edit
anything that is helpful.
Transitions
• Transitions are important to
smoothly move from one
topic to another or from one
class to another.
• They allow class time to be
used effectively and with
very little down time.
Transitions
• Divide class periods into smaller segments to
increase student engagement.
– 5-10 minutes chunks
• Always try to have the next element of the
lesson ready to go to ease transitions.
• Use multiple methods to get students’ attention
and bring everyone back together.
Always Plan More than you Need
• Boredom can lead to
inappropriate
behavior
• Good for students
who learn quickly and
can proceed with
something new while
you review with the
others.
Always Plan More than you Need
• Always have
enrichment
materials handy
• You always need a
plan B in case
something comes
up. Be flexible!
Always Plan More than you Need
• Technology Plug
– Differentiation and
enrichment made
easier!
– Multiple links to
activities at various
skill levels.
Effective ways to hand out
resources
• Try to avoid having the entire class getting
up just to get a specific type of supply.
• Setting up stations
• Assigning jobs
• Totes
Multi-Task
• This allows better time management.
• While you are taking roll, kids can pass out
papers, turn in work, finish their assigned
task from the previous day, etc.
Multi-Task
• Use each moment of your class time
wisely.
• When students are entering the room
always have instructions or activities
projected on the board.
• Use those opening minutes!
Pay Attention to Student Cues
• This helps you decide
the pace of the
lesson.
• It helps you determine
if students are
overwhelmed or
clearly understanding
the lesson.
• Chunk material and
give time for student
discussion.
Pay Attention to Student Cues
• Check often for student comprehension:
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–
–
–
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White boards
Hand checks (1-5 scale)
eInstruction
Google Forms
Explain to your partner
Be prepared
• Prepare and organize as
much as you can ahead of
time. Don’t waste class time
constructing something
unless that is the goal
of the activity.
Keep class time “sacred”.
Be prepared
• Do your best to know your content through
and through. Overwhelming at first!
• Plan as far ahead as possible.
• Find reliable people to learn from!
Practice Rituals
• Go over and Practice
your class rituals with
your students so that they
know exactly what is
expected of them.
• Filling out agendas,
taking bathroom breaks,
sickness, absences…
• Routine helps ensure
order.
Post a Weekly Schedule
• Helps absentees know what they missed with
very little help from you.
• Provides anticipatory set
• Adds cohesiveness
• Know needed supplies
Post a Weekly Schedule
• Using a class blog or wiki can help
facilitate sharing your schedule with
students and families.
MOVIES skits Pair and Share JOKES
graphic organizers
• Add a variety of learning
experiences: visual,
movement, songs, games, etc.
and you will reach more
learning styles
• Intersperse these with
independent or written
activities to assess student
learning.
• Students will be more involved
in your teaching, you will have
fewer discipline problems, and
they will have better
understanding of your lessons.
Drawing
MOVIES skits Pair and Share JOKES
graphic organizers
Drawing
• Make learning fun!
– We have one of the greatest jobs
in the world. Enjoy it. Encourage a
love of learning among your
students.
Create a Safe Learning
Environment
• Establish a caring
relationship with your
students.
• Be clear that your
room is a safe place
to take risks without
fear of
embarrassment;
maintain student
dignity.
Create a Safe Learning
Environment
• Do team building
activities at the beginning
of the year to give
students a sense of
belonging
• Use humor to diffuse
tense situations.
• Let students know that
you aren’t perfect either.
• Mistakes are sometimes
the best way to learn.
Have High Expectations
• Expect students to follow
rules. Nail down rules
from the first day and take
time to “practice” if they
“forget”.
• Expect 100% effort even
if something is hard!
Have High Expectations
• Expect effective
communication skills
• Expect students to be
responsible for their own
choices.
• Students will live up to or
down to expectations.
DeAnn’s Four Basic Rules
• I will not allow anyone to
interfere with my teaching or
another student’s learning.
• Homework is my way of
communicating with each
student and it must be
completed on time. If it is
important enough to assign it,
it is important enough for me to
grade it.
• Treat everyone with respect,
including the teacher.
• Learning is not a spectator’s
sport, so you must give 100%
everyday.
Jon’s Classroom Rules
 Please Be Respectful
 Please Be Responsible
 Please Be Safe
Creating a Positive Classroom Environment
DeAnn Swofford and Jonathan Ferrell
Break Time!
Discussion / Reflection Question
How can you incorporate these
ideas into your classroom?