Artifact # 5
This is a classroom management assignment that includes a reflection about management issues that I observed as an intern in a fourth grade classroom and a sketch of my own future classroom.
Context
I completed this assignment as a part of my Curriculum in the Elementary
School course during the block experience in the spring of 2001. My sketch
is based on observations of good management and organization in other classrooms
and some of my own ideas.
Impact
This assignment obliged me to think in terms of how I will most effectively
organize my own classroom upon being hired. I spent a lot of time thinking
about my teaching style and the major goals I will have for my students
socially. I used my ideas to make a sketch that I will be able to refer
to in the future to help me organize my classroom in such a way that promotes
active learning and inquiry.
Alignment
My sketch details a room with desks arranged in clusters, a “soft space”
area for independent reading and read aloud, and a connection station.
These features will foster active learning and collaboration (Tech.
Competency 12.4). I also included a television and room for several
computers, both of which can be used as tools to support the curriculum
(Tech. Competency 12.6). The variety
of settings in this classroom gives opportunities for individuals and cooperative
groups to learn effectively. They allow for verbal communication
as well as independent learning. The connection station will provide books,
magazines, maps, globes, and other materials to help students investigate
topics and make connections between them (INTASC
#6). In addition to the sketch and the reflection, I designed a sign
up sheet for student computer use to be filled out each week so that they
are provided with equal access to our classroom’s technology (Tech.
Competency 14.2).