My 21st Century Classroom

                                                         http://classroom.4teachers.org/

My classroom is based around an early childhood classroom setting Pre K-4. I would use bright colors and make the environment a comfortable place. I feel that bright colors are "happy" colors and I want to encourage to always have positive attitudes in my classroom. I want the students to be in grouped tables, so they can learn from my instruction and as well as peer to peer and collaborative learning. Having grouped seating, encourages social interaction and can help children with social skills. I find this is necessary, since society nowadays is forgetting how to have face-to-face interaction due to all the social networks available. I feel that this would be an effective learning environment for my future classroom. I will have my classroom very organized and have everything labeled for the children. I will have everything at the appropriate height, so that supplies are not too high for them to reach. I will have their desks with the childrens' name on them, including a pencil box that will hold writing and coloring utensils. I feel that an organized environment is important, because its stability in the classroom and the children will know where everything is and not have to worry. I think that daily routines are important and having the classroom organized, helps support that daily routine.

I will have technology incorporated in my classroom. I will have a couple computers and an IWB. I feel that computers can be essential to help with the students that have trouble with math or reading. I would also like to have the students learn without technology as well, that way they don't have to rely on technology all of the time. I would incorporate both learning with and without technology; I feel that they would be well-rounded students. Some students have forgotten how to write or even read without technology. I want to work on getting those fundamentals back into the classroom, along with incorporating technology into the curriculum as well. I will make any adaptions for students with exceptionalities. I will take the extra time to help those students and make learning a rewarding experience. I will have headphones or even technology available to help those children. I would try flipped learning for those students that have trouble listening and I will make adjustments to the curriculum if there needs to be accommodations. Some benefits to Flipped Learning are...

• Gives teachers more time to spend 1:1 helping students
• Builds stronger student/teacher relationships
• Offers a way for teachers to share information with other faculty, substitute teachers, students, parents, and
  the community easily
• Produces the ability for students to “rewind” lessons and master topics
• Creates a collaborative learning environment in the classroom
  

I will continue to grow as a learner, by learning from the children and also learning about the new technology that could be useful in my classroom. I think it is important for the teacher to know how to use these teaching methods properly, in order for it to be effective in the classroom. I will use technology to stay connected with parents and students. I would like to set up an online chat room and have a web page with my information on it, along with tasks the children completed each day and upcoming events. I think it is essential that the teacher is always connected to the parents, as well as the students outside of the classroom.