4. - Learning Environment 

The 4 questions: Capturing Kids Hearts

During student teaching my biggest area of growth was classroom management because I didn’t have to do it as much as a novice student teacher. I was able to use a lot of new things to help me manage the classroom and deal with behaviors that occurred. The main thing I used was The 4 questions from Capturing Kids Hearts. These questions helped to redirect students to do the right things and refocus. That follows knowledge indicator 4A which states “understands principles of and strategies for effective classroom and behavior management” (IL knowledge indicator 4A). Using the 4 questions has helped me to find ways to refocus students to a targeted behavior or activity. 

Using the 4 questions has also helped students be mindful about their behavior in my classroom. Being mindful and thoughtful about actions helps students to see how their behaviors affect others. This follows the performance indicator 4K, which reads “uses strategies to create a smoothly functioning learning community in which students assume responsibility for themselves and one another, participate in decision-making, work collaboratively and independently, use appropriate technology, and engage in purposeful learning activities” (IL performance indicator 4K). My goal as the teacher is to have clear expectations and consequences for students' behavior. I want my students to be mindful of their actions and how the people, places, and learning and themselves are affected because of their actions.