Classroom Culture Submission Form

CLASSROOM CULTURE

PART 1: Overview Questions Instructional Context Overview Please tell us a little bit about the educational environment you were observing to complete this micro-credential.

Type of school/program and the grade/subject configuration (single grade, YMCA afterschool program, etc.) Public school, single grade classroom

Grade

Age Level

Number of Students

Kindergarten

5-6

18

Course Writing, Reading, and Math

How long have you been working with this class in an educator role prior to the featured lesson(s) examined in the micro-credential submission? 15 days

Briefly and specifically describe relevant:

State or district mandates that impact the featured lesson Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Kindergarten

Type of community

Suburban public school

Access to current technology The classroom I am observing has a smart board in the front of the room. The class has a set of iPads that the children will occasionally use for math games and activities.

Your relationship with the teacher you observed I have a good relationship with the teacher I am observing because she was my kindergarten teacher. She is such a great teacher to have as a mentor because she has so much experience so I learn a lot from her. Any other information you believe would be important for scorers to know to understand your micro-credential submission My observations were made through a course I am enrolled in at school, Called elementary field experience. This class allows me to help out and observe in a kindergarten class, three times a week.

My Perspective Essay Describe two past experiences you have had as a learner in which your teacher succeeded in facilitating a sustainable, equitable classroom culture. Describe specific strategies the teacher implemented to do this and what that meant for you and your peers. Use the ​Teaching Tolerance f​ ive critical components of classroom culture as a guide for framing the experiences the teacher facilitated.

Essay In my experiences as a learner, I have many examples to reflect on where my teacher succeeded in facilitating a sustainable, equitable classroom culture. But the 2 experiences that specifically come ro my mind right away is my kindergarten teacher implementing classroom culture and my 12th grade English teacher implementing classroom culture. From what I can remember my kindergarten teacher did an amazing job and setting up classroom culture. She would encourage parents at the beginning of the school year to gather pictures of their family, family pets, the child's favorite toys, whatever they thought was important to the child. Then on the first day of school, she would let each child talk a little about their pictures if they wanted to before hanging them up on a board. As the year progresses, if the child really

wanted to add more pictures to the bored, they could. She believed having a place where children can see some familiar things when they are having a rough day can really help. She would also encourage families to come in to the classroom on occasion for “mystery reader”. Every week, a certain childs family member would come in and surprise the students and read a book to them. These examples really show that my kindergarten teacher practices thoughtful classroom culture especially honoring student experiences. My 12th grade english teacher also did an equally great job at facilitating classroom culture for her students. She would have a time and place where students can talk about their lives and receive support from peers and teachers. She would also have us share our journals everyday, which made students feel safe and more inclined to open up to her about their lives. She would use simple gestures to learn about her students and show her appreciation for them on a daily basis.​ ​ ​500-word maximum

PART 2: Artifacts Observation Notes Use the spaces on this form to type up the notes that you wrote while conducting observations during your visits to the learning spaces. Your notes should relate directly to the critical components in each section. Tips to make your note-taking most effective: ● Focus on the critical components of classroom culture​. It's impossible to document everything you observe! Stay focused on what matters, and avoid cluttering your notes with information that isn’t relevant to examples of how the classroom culture is developed or maintained. ● Be specific and descriptive​. Use descriptive words to document what you observe. You can even include quotes from the teacher or students that bring these concepts to life. ● Make note of your insights and thoughts as you observe. ​As you observe, jot down why you are making note of each activity, quote, classroom set-up, etc. You could simply write “ex. of honoring student experience.” This will help you remember the importance of the event when you write your notes or essays later.

Observation Notes: Visit #1 Date of Observation February 2019 Honoring Student Experience

Mrs. Pacifico encourages parents at the beginning of the school year to gather pictures of their family, family pets, the child's favorite toys, whatever they thought was important to the child. Then on the first day of school, she would let each child talk a little about their pictures if they wanted to before hanging them up on a board. As the year progresses, if the child really wanted to add more pictures to the bored, they could. Thoughtful Classroom Setup and Structure Mrs. Pacifico arranges the desks in clusters of four with students facing one another. The teacher’s desk is in the back corner of the room. On the floor if the morning meeting carpet with a big rocking chair for the teacher. Cubbies are in the corner. Students classworks is hanging on the walls and books and posters are displayed around the room Shared Inquiry and Dialogue She really listens to what the children say and to the feelings, experiences and wisdom behind what they say. Mrs. Pacifico builds a safe space to explore new ideas and work through conflicts, controversy and painful moments that may arise when talking about issues of injustice and oppression.She has the children practice active listening Social and Emotional Safety She actively teaches social-emotional skills and she pays attention to creating positive relationships, she has bullying prevention and community building in place, and she focuses on understanding and appreciating differences, Meaningful conflict resolution. Values Based Behavior Management Mrs. Pacifico involves students in classroom discipline policies. The children work on the policies as a class, and the teacher also works individually with students who need extra support, especially reading support. Other Notes on Visit #1 none

Observation Notes: Visit #2

Date of Observation March 2019

Honoring Student Experience

Mrs. Pacifico does a great job at providing a safe space where students are seen, valued, cared for and respected. She takes the time to learn the proper pronunciation of every student’s name and gets to know every child's families. She chooses books that reflect classroom demographics and then follows up the readings with craftivities. Thoughtful Classroom Setup and Structure

Shared Inquiry and Dialogue

Social and Emotional Safety

Values Based Behavior Management

Other Notes on Visit #2 None

PART 3: Reflection

My Reflection Essay Respond in a fully developed essay to the following guiding questions to reflect on classroom culture: ● In what specific ways did the learning space you observed succeed as maintaining an equitable classroom culture? In what specific ways did it fall short? ● What are your recommendations to strengthen the classroom culture in the learning space you observed? ● What are your specific plans to prepare yourself to implement and sustain an equitable classroom culture in the future when you have the main responsibility for a learning space? Essay When I think of a teacher that sets up the perfect example of classroom culture, the teacher I observed automatically comes to mind. She implements Honoring Student Experience, Thoughtful Classroom Setup and Structure, Shared Inquiry and Dialogue, Social and Emotional Safety, and Values Based Behavior Management.