Creating High Performance Learning Environments - 3 videos

Creating High Performance Learning Environments

Roller coaster physics Academic expectations This is Project based learning video. It was probably prepared, rehearsed and planned in advance. It is the culmination of a project. All students are focused. The academic expectations are high because of the time and planning for the project to be successful.

PBL let students connect with the content with the topic being learned. They use problem solving skills. This type of projects can be found in BrainPop with instructions and lesson plans.

Behavior expectations, since this project has being prepared in advanced the students are very excited to see the outcome of the preparation. They are on task, everyone has a role, nobody can be distracted because of the team spirit.

Norms and Procedures, I am not sure if the norms and procedures relate to the class rules or just for the Project. They seemed to be clear and concise during the project.

3rd grade Chinese--math class.avi In this video students learn from repetition. Teacher explains new concepts, and uses exercises in different level of difficulty. The teacher’s expectations are that students stay focused an on task. She probably has a good lesson plan for children that age. Students are very young because in China they start leaning math at a very early age. Teachers are not very good at doing crossed curriculum teaching.

The behavior expectations of the students are high. The good behavior and respect in oriental people is cultural. The parental and teacher’s expectations are high. There are no discipline problems. Routine and repetition practice is the best way to learn for Chinese standards.

Norms and procedures are implied. Teachers are specialized in the subject. Students are expected to behave respectfully.

Whole brain teaching Academic expectations in this video are obviously very high. There has been a lot of preparation for this outcome. There has been a very good explanation on the topics until the students understand what’s being taught. There has been rehearsal to find good transitions and coordination in the classroom. WBT uses a lot of drills and repetitions.

The behavior of the students is very good. It seems that there is good class management. Everyone is on task, and concentrated in the exercise.

Since there has been a lot of planning, norms and procedures might have been very well expressed and established before the videotaping session.

Setting high standards for students. Project based learning is a great idea for crossed curricular activities. In World Languages is possible to do it with geography, history, Social Studies, Art, Music, etc.

When teaching another language is not just about the vocabulary, it is about the origins, the people, and the culture in general. In that context the students enjoy immensely the journey of learning a new culture. When students feel motivated about what they learn their own expectations rise high. They feel challenged, and motivated to see more and learn more.

 Setting high expectations for the students in a World Language class is very important. A good way to approach high standards is by using differentiated learning where all the students are learning the same topic but in a different level. It is a lot of work for the teacher but in the long run the students feel successful without feeling low performers or learning disabled. At the end learning and using a second language is a very challenging task. There are students that might enjoy so much the classes, but very few of them are going to continue learning or practicing the second language.

Establishing a Positive Classroom Climate

Establishing a Positive Classroom Climate

Creating a safe climate environment is empowering a child to be the best he can be. Teachers need to promote appreciation for diversity. It is fundamental that teachers understand the relationship between the student’s home culture and school learning. Creating a positive climate in the classroom increases students engagement, improves learning, and behavior.

A basic principle in early childhood work is that when educators treat children as if they are strong, intelligent, and kind, children are far more likely to behave in strong, intelligent, kind ways. They are more likely to learn and thrive and succeed.

It should be guaranteed the right for all children to develop their personality, talents and mental and physical abilities to the maximum extent possible, in the same condition as any other student, therefore his nationality, traditions, religion and language should be respected.

These are some ideas that can help improve a positive climate for teaching and learning.

• ·         Get to know names quickly. Students feel more comfortable if you remember their names

• ·         Use a sense of humor. Starting the class with a joke or with a song relaxes students and put them in the mood.

• ·         Talking about differences in cultural practices it is a good way to learn about diversity. Learning a few polite expressions in another person's language; and showing appreciation for the food and music of another culture can have especially positive effects.

• ·         Seating arrangements in a way that everybody is in the first row. The seating arrangement chosen should allow students to work in groups or partners.

• ·         Students next to each other that makes collaborative work easy. It is a wonderful way for diverse students to interact improving their social skills.
• ·         A good idea would be to have displays of some kind of all the nationalities of the students attending.

 Global learning. Thanks to technology geographic boundaries can be knock down. Students should be able to communicate with students from somewhere else in the planet, and learn about their cultures.

 Inclusive teaching, teaching strategies that address the different student’s backgrounds, learning styles, and abilities.

Differentiated teaching strategies to be able to reach different students learning styles.

Be aware of potential bullying that students might be afraid to report.

Teachers having a good rapport with the students can only be beneficial creating a climate of care and structure. When a students feels safe, included, and protected the academic achievement increases creating a positive climate where everybody feels appreciated and welcome.

I recommend a little extra tip; love those children because, especially for the little ones, you are the model they want to follow in school.