Classroom Culture
It’s the beginning of the academic year here, and new classes are starting up. You may be returning to my classroom or new to my classroom, therefore you will find it is time to put on your thinking caps. Our classroom culture will be built through a process of instilling certain universal values and behavioral expectations of the students to promote their well-being, facilitate their learning, and ensure their success. Here are my classroom culture expectations:
CENTER OF SHARING KNOWLEDGE
1) Always come to class prepared: The students must bring their notebook, pen, pencil, eraser, etc. Whatever they need to help them in Mathematics. This includes a positive attitude. Merely coming to class prepared is not enough. My students must also be prepared. This means sitting quietly in their seats and in their groups before the final bell rings.
2) Always keep the classroom clean: If they see any paper on the floor, they will pick it up. A dirty classroom will not be tolerated. I will not start allow students to leave the classroom until it is clean. The students must not only respect their teachers and each other, but respect the sanctity of the classroom and the school as well.
3) Be polite and show respect: This does not only mean saying “Please” and “Thank you.“ It also means never throwing things across the classroom. Far too often I have seen students throw everything from pencils to books to their classmates. This will not be tolerated. When someone needs a pencil or an eraser, a student must physically get up, walk over to the student in need, and hand it to him/her in a respectful manner. Students must also use the proper honorific when referring to their teacher.
4) Pay attention and cooperate: The students are to listen to the teacher and listen to one another. Listening is the first step towards cooperating with each other in order to get the job done and do the job well. Listening means no side conversations, it means full attention.
5) Work hard and as a team: Team work is important in my classroom. I’m not looking for individual superstars. I want students who are team players. Everyone learns more that way. In working as a team, my students will learn their lessons carefully and to think before they act.
6) Sacrifice your time and share your understanding: Now we’re getting to the heart of the matter. If a student understands something then he/she should help another who does not yet understand. The students must help and support each other. I love to see a student kindly explain what he/she has just learned to someone who is struggling. If one team does not succeed in reaching the class/lesson objectives, then the other teams will be helping them until they do. This shows respect, cooperation, and responsibility.
7) Be responsible for one another: This is the crux of my classroom culture. Teaching my students to be responsible. Response-able. Or able to respond. Isn’t this what compassionate people do in a compassionate society? What a thrill it truly is to see my students taking responsibility for themselves AND others.
8) There are no free rides: I don’t want slackers in my class. If I see a student not pulling his weight, I let them know. The team is relying on them. The team either succeeds or fails—- as a team. The class either succeeds or fails—- as a class. In my classes, you will not get away with doing nothing—- and that includes myself! There are no free rides.
In summary, our classrooms are based on collaboration, cooperation and respect, students must learn and learn quickly the above objectives. Students need to understand, that we don't laugh or make fun of anyone, we assist and support them. You will respect others who work hard and set an example for others to follow. As well, students must keep in mind that, they are accountable for their cooperation and respect they practice and know their behaviors will set the tone of the atmosphere and/or culture of our classroom, and will ultimately determine the degree of success of any lesson and the course for themselves and others.
CENTER OF SHARING KNOWLEDGE
1) Always come to class prepared: The students must bring their notebook, pen, pencil, eraser, etc. Whatever they need to help them in Mathematics. This includes a positive attitude. Merely coming to class prepared is not enough. My students must also be prepared. This means sitting quietly in their seats and in their groups before the final bell rings.
2) Always keep the classroom clean: If they see any paper on the floor, they will pick it up. A dirty classroom will not be tolerated. I will not start allow students to leave the classroom until it is clean. The students must not only respect their teachers and each other, but respect the sanctity of the classroom and the school as well.
3) Be polite and show respect: This does not only mean saying “Please” and “Thank you.“ It also means never throwing things across the classroom. Far too often I have seen students throw everything from pencils to books to their classmates. This will not be tolerated. When someone needs a pencil or an eraser, a student must physically get up, walk over to the student in need, and hand it to him/her in a respectful manner. Students must also use the proper honorific when referring to their teacher.
4) Pay attention and cooperate: The students are to listen to the teacher and listen to one another. Listening is the first step towards cooperating with each other in order to get the job done and do the job well. Listening means no side conversations, it means full attention.
5) Work hard and as a team: Team work is important in my classroom. I’m not looking for individual superstars. I want students who are team players. Everyone learns more that way. In working as a team, my students will learn their lessons carefully and to think before they act.
6) Sacrifice your time and share your understanding: Now we’re getting to the heart of the matter. If a student understands something then he/she should help another who does not yet understand. The students must help and support each other. I love to see a student kindly explain what he/she has just learned to someone who is struggling. If one team does not succeed in reaching the class/lesson objectives, then the other teams will be helping them until they do. This shows respect, cooperation, and responsibility.
7) Be responsible for one another: This is the crux of my classroom culture. Teaching my students to be responsible. Response-able. Or able to respond. Isn’t this what compassionate people do in a compassionate society? What a thrill it truly is to see my students taking responsibility for themselves AND others.
8) There are no free rides: I don’t want slackers in my class. If I see a student not pulling his weight, I let them know. The team is relying on them. The team either succeeds or fails—- as a team. The class either succeeds or fails—- as a class. In my classes, you will not get away with doing nothing—- and that includes myself! There are no free rides.
In summary, our classrooms are based on collaboration, cooperation and respect, students must learn and learn quickly the above objectives. Students need to understand, that we don't laugh or make fun of anyone, we assist and support them. You will respect others who work hard and set an example for others to follow. As well, students must keep in mind that, they are accountable for their cooperation and respect they practice and know their behaviors will set the tone of the atmosphere and/or culture of our classroom, and will ultimately determine the degree of success of any lesson and the course for themselves and others.