Understanding The Classroom Environment

Over the course of the semester, I have really gotten the chance to understand the classroom environment from a different perspective. Through my practicum, I have been introduced to new ideas and tactics that will be very helpful in my future as an educator. I have also witnessed methods of teaching that I think could be improved to help the students develop and progress in more effective way. I observed the classroom environment, focused my attention on the ways in which bridges were being built or destroyed, and collected questions of my own that will shape me to become the best teacher I can possibly be.
When I walked into my practicum classroom for the first time, the first thing I noticed was the white. Everything was white. There were …show more content…
Almost every day in my practicum, the teacher would sit at the back of the room and go through a PowerPoint describing and giving examples pertaining to a specific lesson. The variety in the strengths of the students became very visible during this time. Some students would actively participate and ask any questions that may arise. On the other hand, many students would zone out and get bored, or they would get lost because the pace of the lesson was moving too quickly. These students were the students who often fell behind, or would work slower during homework time. It seemed as if they would rather take the chance of getting called on and not knowing the answer, then to take an uncomfortable and possibly embarrassing leap of faith to ask the teacher “stupid” questions in front of their peers. There is almost a distinct boundary line between these two types of students because the students who struggle never get the help they need because the teacher would usually just ask another student and move on. Multiple questions arise in my curious mind during situations like this. How do we, as teachers, meet the needs of every single student? There is no possible way to satisfy everyone when it comes to the curriculum. (Ayers, 2010). As a teacher, your students can range from visual-spatial to bodily-kinesthetic learners. How do you satisfy every student especially in an eighth grade math classroom where it is very difficult to create lesson plans that will accomplish this, but also keep the students on track? I also think that the overall goal of the class was for all the students to meet the required state standards. Yes standards are very important, but knowledge is infinite and we need to find other ways to liberate the curriculum because learning should not be just a product to be consumed (Ayers, 2010). I also considered how to make a comfortable learning environment for every single