Standard 2: Safe, Inclusive, and Respectful Learning Environment
Element a: Foster a predictable learning environment in the classroom in which each student has a positive, nurturing relationship with caring adults and peers.
I find that the school year goes better for me and for my students if there is a predictable learning environment. I work hard to establish the routines and norms for the classroom during the first few weeks of the school year. We have established routines with classwork, quizzes, and assessments. I was reminded of the importance of routine the other day when students asked for the Asignaturas sheet for the chapter since I forgot to hand it out on the first day of a new unit. I realized that they truly appreciate the routine and make it work for them. We start every class period with the Canción del Día as well and students make sure to remind me any time I forget. The routine helps us all!
I find that the school year goes better for me and for my students if there is a predictable learning environment. I work hard to establish the routines and norms for the classroom during the first few weeks of the school year. We have established routines with classwork, quizzes, and assessments. I was reminded of the importance of routine the other day when students asked for the Asignaturas sheet for the chapter since I forgot to hand it out on the first day of a new unit. I realized that they truly appreciate the routine and make it work for them. We start every class period with the Canción del Día as well and students make sure to remind me any time I forget. The routine helps us all!
Element b: Demonstrate a commitment to and respect for diversity, while working toward common goals as a community and as a country.
Teaching a World Language lends itself easily to teaching respect for diversity. We are able to focus on diversity amongst ourselves and celebrate differences. We teach many lessons that focus on differences in customs, cultures, and daily habits. Students are encouraged to share their differences in class. One way to show diversity daily is through the song of the day. At the beginning of each class I play a song from a Spanish-speaking musician. I make sure to show videos from many different styles of music and many different Spanish-speaking countries. Below is a link to my playlist with a few of the songs from class.
Canción del Día
Teaching a World Language lends itself easily to teaching respect for diversity. We are able to focus on diversity amongst ourselves and celebrate differences. We teach many lessons that focus on differences in customs, cultures, and daily habits. Students are encouraged to share their differences in class. One way to show diversity daily is through the song of the day. At the beginning of each class I play a song from a Spanish-speaking musician. I make sure to show videos from many different styles of music and many different Spanish-speaking countries. Below is a link to my playlist with a few of the songs from class.
Canción del Día
Element c: Engage students as individuals with unique interests and strengths.
Due to the nature of my classes, I am able to spend a lot of time asking about the interests and strengths of my students in Spanish. We start the year talking about class schedules and what activities they participate in both in and out of school. By Spanish 5, we are able to write letters to loved ones that have passed away (Day of the Dead activity) and prepare resumes and talk about future hopes and dreams. I feel very lucky to be able to get to know the students well. In addition, I try to support students outside of class with their interests and strengths as well. I work at volleyball and football games, chaperone dances, and participate in their videos for other classes.
Due to the nature of my classes, I am able to spend a lot of time asking about the interests and strengths of my students in Spanish. We start the year talking about class schedules and what activities they participate in both in and out of school. By Spanish 5, we are able to write letters to loved ones that have passed away (Day of the Dead activity) and prepare resumes and talk about future hopes and dreams. I feel very lucky to be able to get to know the students well. In addition, I try to support students outside of class with their interests and strengths as well. I work at volleyball and football games, chaperone dances, and participate in their videos for other classes.
cv.doc | |
File Size: | 34 kb |
File Type: | doc |
Talk about school- Spanish 2 | |
File Size: | 160 kb |
File Type: | mp3 |
Element d: Adapt teaching for the benefit of all students, including those with special needs and across a range of ability levels.
Each language class is filled with students with a range of ability levels. There are always students who understand easily and those who require more time to process the new language. It is important to keep those who understand challenged while providing ample opportunities for those who struggle to practice. One of the ways I have adapted my teaching to meet the needs of all students is to include some blended learning into my courses. Last year in Spanish 2 we recorded all grammar lessons and display them on YouTube. This has been great for all students to learn at their own pace. Parents have been pleased that students are able to pause the instruction or listen again before the assessments.
Each language class is filled with students with a range of ability levels. There are always students who understand easily and those who require more time to process the new language. It is important to keep those who understand challenged while providing ample opportunities for those who struggle to practice. One of the ways I have adapted my teaching to meet the needs of all students is to include some blended learning into my courses. Last year in Spanish 2 we recorded all grammar lessons and display them on YouTube. This has been great for all students to learn at their own pace. Parents have been pleased that students are able to pause the instruction or listen again before the assessments.
Element e: Provide proactive, clear and constructive feedback to families about student progress and work collaboratively with the families.
Every few weeks I try to contact parents whose students are not doing well in my class. In addition, I try to contact parents about great things are their children and doing in class. During conferences I also give parents feedback about what their students are doing well and what they could improve upon. When I sit down with parents and students, I try to find what will work for that student. I offer multiple options for ways to study and offer one-on-one tutoring before school or during lunch. There is one student that started coming in during lunches last year the day before each quiz for a review session with me. He went from failing each quiz to getting A's and B's. Below is a document with a few examples of parent communications that give constructive feedback from this semester.
Every few weeks I try to contact parents whose students are not doing well in my class. In addition, I try to contact parents about great things are their children and doing in class. During conferences I also give parents feedback about what their students are doing well and what they could improve upon. When I sit down with parents and students, I try to find what will work for that student. I offer multiple options for ways to study and offer one-on-one tutoring before school or during lunch. There is one student that started coming in during lunches last year the day before each quiz for a review session with me. He went from failing each quiz to getting A's and B's. Below is a document with a few examples of parent communications that give constructive feedback from this semester.
Parent Communications | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Element f: Create a learning environment characterized by acceptable student behavior, efficient use of time, and appropriate intervention strategies.
I try to structure the learning environment with some freedom, but often students become distracting to other and interrupt that environment. The one thing that helps my classroom management the most is being prepared for class and planning class time efficiently. I only have 55 minutes with students most days and try to engage students during the entire period. However, when interruptions begin, I do intervene with the appropriate measures. I start with the most simple interventions and only move up when required. I try to avoid involving the administration unless the situation is severe and will then ask for help.
I try to structure the learning environment with some freedom, but often students become distracting to other and interrupt that environment. The one thing that helps my classroom management the most is being prepared for class and planning class time efficiently. I only have 55 minutes with students most days and try to engage students during the entire period. However, when interruptions begin, I do intervene with the appropriate measures. I start with the most simple interventions and only move up when required. I try to avoid involving the administration unless the situation is severe and will then ask for help.