Classrooms are magical places; places where knowledge is created, places where concepts are explored and places where questions are raised. Classrooms are also ‘organic’ places that grow and develop around the needs of the students. Wall displays change, new word banks are created and work samples proudly presented.
Here are some promises I made to myself, and the students that I teach this year:
In 2014 I will:
Inspire my students
Have you ever sat in a doctor’s surgery waiting for a consultation? I have, and its pretty uninspiring. Many are out-dated; with drab pictures hanging off the grey (or beige) walls. The atmosphere is sterile and not a place that you would want to spend more than a few minutes. Here’s the scary thing: I have been in many classes that are the same! They are lifeless, depressing and do little to stoke the creative minds of their students. It’s time to be honest with yourself, if you take a good look at your classroom and assess the damage. It’s never too late to change things and it’s never too late to inspire your students.
Empower my students to take responsibility for their own learning
One of the things that I love about infants’ classrooms is that they are typically visually appealing, colourful and engaging environments. Creating and environment in which students take responsibility for their own learning and where they solve problems for themselves is vital. This could mean adding cards with new words or letters to the room. It could mean keeping your reading corner stocked with interesting books. For high school teachers it could mean mixing things up and creating more collaborative seating arrangements.
Provide a safety net for my students to make mistakes and discover new solutions.
Classroom dynamics are not just determined by the space, but also by the attitudes and expectations of the teacher and the students. One thing I am passionate about it making my classroom a safe place where students can experiment with ideas, ask any questions and try things out without the fear of failure or judgement. Mistakes are a part of life and classrooms need to be places in which students feel comfortable and confident to try and solve problems even if they might get it wrong; without the fear of failure. In my opinion, making mistakes and learning from your mistakes is not encouraged enough in schools. Championing students who take a risk for a positive outcome is one of the best things you can do as a teacher.
Cater to the many learning styles of my students.
Howard Gardiner (1983), the famous educational researcher, identified at least eight types of intelligences. If you have been living in a cave and you are not familiar with his work you need to be. He argues that each child is gifted in a type, or a variety of, intelligences. When setting up your classroom you must ensure that each intelligence is catered for. For example for the special learners have content that stimulates spatial judgement and the ability to visualize with the mind’s eye. When designing your classroom and your teaching program make sure that each of these intelligences are equally catered for so that all students are engaged.
Classrooms are wonderful places. For many students they provide a place of refuge and encouragement, which they may not have elsewhere.. They are places of unlimited possibilities and places that should encourage students to dream and be more than they could have ever imagined.
What is your 2014 mission statement?