The Message You Send A Stranger is The Same Message For Your Student

11/19/2013 18:36

When thinking about managing behavior for my classroom I got to asking myslef, "What if a complete stranger came into my room? what would they feel?  Would their countenance and behavior reflect the environment I've constructed for my classroom?"  That said, here's a brief answer to that question:

• I want visitors to see me as a warm teacher who gives them my undivided attention, one who takes time to really listen to them and have something thoughtful to say.
• I want visitors see my students who are thoroughly engaged and filled with wonder and excitment with their learning. 
• I want visitors to see a robust, rich and vast array of student projects all over the classroom on display.
• I want vistors to see me as an active and interactive teacher constantly working one on one and in groups with my students.  I want them to see me as balanced as well, giving teh students their time and freedom to work alone or in a group.  I want them to see me emailing out parent letters just to say hi, or keeping them informed with the progress of their son or daughter.
• I want visitors to see a very organzied teahcer, a very clean room but a beautiful mess that has reason to it.

I'm sure there's myriad more but this is a good start.