The Interstate Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (InTASC) Standard 3: Learning Environments

The teacher works with others to create environments that support individual and collaborative learning, and that encourage positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.

The artifact that best encapsulates InTASC Standard 3 is my Classroom Management Plan.

Rationale

The InTASC standards that best exemplify the included artifact are:

3(a) The teacher collaborates with learners, families, and colleagues to build a safe, positive learning climate of openness, mutual respect, support, and inquiry.

3(c) The teacher collaborates with learners and colleagues to develop shared values and expectations for respectful interactions, rigorous academic discussions, and individual and group responsibility for quality work.

3(d) The teacher manages the learning environment to actively and equitably engage learners by organizing, allocating, and coordinating the resources of time, space, and learners’ attention.

3(k) The teacher knows how to collaborate with learners to establish and monitor elements of a safe and productive learning environment including norms, expectations, routines, and organizational structures.

3(l) The teacher understands how learner diversity can affect communication and knows how to communicate effectively in differing environments.

3(o) The teacher values the role of learners in promoting each other’s learning and recognizes the importance of peer relationships in establishing a climate of learning.

A description of the artifact, when it was created, the purpose and process of its creation:

The included artifact was created as an assignment for Foundation of Teaching: the first course I took on the road to achieving my Masters Degree with University of Maryland University College. My main goal in creating this classroom management plan, was creating a classroom environment in which students could feel comfortable and thrive academically. My Classroom Management Plan consists of classroom expectations, classroom environment, and space/ time management. While creating this plan, I reflected on my past year of teaching and what I could have done differently, specifically concerning the management of off task students and time, as well as variation of activities.

How does this artifact demonstrate achievement of Standard 3: Learning Environments?

Part of what Standard 3: Learning Environments asks of teachers is to create a learning environment built on mutual respect. I am certain my Classroom Management Plan asks for respect from both student and teacher. In addition to this, teachers must recognize the important of peer relationships in the classroom. I feel I have created a plan in which students can work together in groups, but still complete assignments in a timely manner. Part of being in school is building positive peer relationships, and group work is an ideal way to promote bonds between students, while ensuring classwork is complete and students have learned something new.

How has my understanding of the standard been affected by the creation of this artifact?

My understanding of Standard 3: Learning Environments has opened my eyes to how simple classroom management can feel when done properly. Every single rule and regulation featured in my classroom management plan has been expressed to my current classes. I have little to no off task behavior as of yet, this school year, and my students have been able to achieve greater heights when it comes to understanding information and utilizing it properly. I feel much more organized, as my room, class time, and behavioral management has become much more organized.

What are my strengths related to this standard? What do I need to improve on?

After my first year of teaching, I took some time to reflect on my successes and failures. While there were not any substantial failures, one improvement I knew I had to make was my management of off task behavior. I did not want my students to be trouble makers, so I assigned reason to their off task behavior and wrote it off as kids being kids. This school year, I took an entirely different approach, which is the disciplinary plan included in my Classroom Management Plan. I am strict, but not overbearing. I ask that students give attention to either me or a student who may be presenting and that they utilize their time in class properly. Class time should be used for exploration of content related knowledge and nothing else!

I've found my students are much more content with their class time after making this change. Students who want very much to learn are given the right environment to do so, and students that occasionally find themselves straying from the task at hand always find their way back to the assignment.

Artifacts

Classroom Management Plan:

Syllabus:

Reflection of classroom management plan