CLASSROOM CULTURE

What is classroom culture?
Six areas of classroom culture:
1. trustworthiness
2. respect
3. responsibility
4. fairness
5. caring
6. citizenship

Students should be comfortable to:
• provide feedback to continuously improve classroom teaching and learning
• learn from their mistakes to enhance their achievement
• set goals to maximize their potential

Acceptance & Trust >> Empowerment >> Motivation >> Realizing Potential >>

How is the culture developed?
To develop acceptance and trust, teachers must:
• model acceptance and respect as students offer ideas to improve the classroom culture or learning system
• encourage students to participate and engage in process thinking
• act upon students’ suggestions to reinforce the value of student input

How to get students to participate and communicate:
• Ask students to share their feelings about school at the beginning and end of the first week of school
• Invite students to establish their own classroom rules and guide lines

Why is a classroom culture important?
Without acceptance and trust, students may lose focus from learning. Their energy would be shifted to protecting themselves.

A trusting environment supports students as co-producers of their learning:
• they understand explicitly the expectations of the curriculum
• see the curriculum as a basis for developing their mission
• formulate goals that will help them realize their mission
• monitor their achievement towards their goals
• accept feedback in a positive and constructive manner

Learning accountability will help prepare students for lifelong learning and achievement and being responsible citizens in our democratic society.

Sources: “The Classroom Culture”
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/info/baldrige/staff/classroomculture.shtm

“Tone of Decency and Respect”
http://www.essentialschools.org/cs/resources/query/q/918?x-r=runnew

“U.S. Classroom Culture”
http://www.sfsu.edu/~studyabr/j1/FormsDocs/ClassroomCulture.pdf