Environment
01: CLIMATE
Positive and respectful as demonstrated by affirmative staff-to-student interactions and staff-to-staff interactions. Children work better when they feel safe, cared for and acknowledged. The learning climate should reflect an openness to learning for all.
Building Classroom
Bulletin boards can welcome students and display each student’s work.
On-line Platform
Feedback is provided through a variety of ways (e.g. discussion boards, comments, emails, live interaction, etc).
Social emotional learning is embedded throughout the day and/or has a dedicated time.
Staff should refrain from disrespectful interactions (i.e,. such as muting a student instead of teaching them how to engage online).
Remote Learning
Set the environment with items and colors they like, but that aren’t distracting.
Check-in with how your child is feeling and reach out to your district if you feel your child needs additional emotional support.
Being a guardian and a teacher isn’t always easy. It’s okay to acknowledge this.
02: SPACE
Whether in a classroom, at home, or on-line, the space for learning is organized and areas are visually defined to indicate the purpose and expectations.
Building Classroom
Label areas with expectations
Label Materials
On-line Platform
Platform space is labeled and organized using visual icons.
Classroom presentations (ppt or slides) include expectations.
Remote Learning
If the designated area for learning is a multi use space (e.g., kitchen table), have your student set up work materials and clean them up each day as a part of your schedule.
Label Materials
03: Environmental Arrangements
The set up is conducive to learning for all students.
Building Classroom
Students can see instructions.
Distractions are minimal.
Staff can freely monitor and access every student.
Utilize a break area.
Declutter your space.
On-line Platform
Whole group/small group activities are chunked so that students are focusing on one-two things time.
Classroom presentations are visually appealing but have minimal distractions.
Staff computer is set in a location with minimum background distractions.
Remote Learning
Designated area is free from distractions like loud noises, other people, and non-school technology.
Declutter the space.
Students can see instructions and visuals.
04: Materials, Activities & Equipment
Everything a student needs to learn is prepared and ready for instruction.
Building Classroom
On-line Platform
Learning plans sent home in advance and include links with embedded logins to aid family if possible.
Learning presentations provide students with a visual of what materials are needed and time to get those materials.
Remote Learning
Bins for storing things you will use every day like paper and notebooks.
Have useful school supplies: e.g., whiteboards, pencil boxes.
Checklist of what to clean up/plug in at the end of the day.