Artifact Description:  While I was student teaching at Aqsa School, I used this seating chart to arrange my students according to their levels and abilities to create a learning environment that facilitates effective instruction and student growth. 

IPTS Connection: Such a seating chart shows I can "modify the learning environment (including the schedule and physical arrangement) to facilitate appropriate behaviors and learning students with diverse learning characteristics " (4P). Arranging students according to seating charts, helps students to work collaboratively. Students show appropriate behaviors through discussing and reading together. Using this seating chart can help promote student engagement and limit the factors that might lead to disruptive behavior. When students are in pods, they facilitate appropriate social interactions among their peers and positively affect students' performance. 

What I learned:  I learned from this seating chart how to create an effective learning environment for my students. Adopting this seating chart in my classroom students developed skills, practiced collaborative efforts, and took on more complex problems than students would working on their own. Using such a seating chart helped increase student academic engagement, and more importantly, decreased inappropriate behaviors. 

Artifact Description: I used this classroom rule when I was student teaching at Aqsa School. It is the only classroom rule we follow all year long "Show respect by doing nothing that stops the flow of education for you or others." Students learn this rule and the meaning of both respect and disrespect. 

IPTS Connection: This classroom rule shows I "understand principles of the strategies for effective classroom and behavior management" (4A). In addition, it shows I can "create a safe and healthy environment that maximizes student learning" (4I). By using this classroom rule with my students it helps create an effective behavior and classroom environment. If students don't abide by classroom rules, consequences will be held against them, such as verbal warning, demerit, detention, and a parent/teacher conference. Conversely, respectful behavior will be joyfully rewarded with smiles, cheers, perks, and prizes. It helps create a safe and healthy space for learning and interaction in a classroom setting.  

What I learned:  I learned that focusing and applying one classroom rule has effective outcomes on students' behavior and learning. It helps establish highly effective classroom management. Investing the first week of school in going over the classroom rule, and the meanings of respect and disrespect is necessary. It is important to teach our students true education only happens and occurs when there is a respectful environment; leading to a safe environment for growth and learning.