My 21st Century Classroom

My 21st Century Classroom Project

Andrew Eckstrom

This video is my personal story of how it is hard for even a middle class or low income family struggles to atten college due to the cost of attending school.

My Classroom

The goal for my physical classroom setting is to make every student feel like they are or can be involved in all classroom activities. Another goal to my classroom setting is to have great student collaboration so the students become comfortable with their classmates throughout the school year. Also another goal, maybe the most important, is I want all students to feel equal and recognized in this setting so they have the confidence to participate and behave on a regular basis. This is the reason I will not have desks with rows in my classroom. Instead of students looking at the back of their peers’ heads while looking up front in the classroom, the students will be able to see most of their peers’ faces with the design of my classroom. Also students will not struggle to see the smart or chalk board because they will all have a proper angle to see and not have to look over another students shoulder. I will change seating order every month so that every student has a chance to sit next to different students and become comfortable with their peers and have multiple views in the classroom throughout the year.

            All of my special needs students will be sitting near the front of the room at the beginning of the school year (first month or two). When I feel that each special need student becomes comfortable enough to be mixed in with the other students I will allow them to be mixed in with all the other students. I want the special needs students to feel like they are equal and have just as much of a voice as all the other students in the classroom but to also make sure they are on task and staying consistent with what they are learning with all the other students.

            There are 4 areas in my classroom where centers will be held. Each center will cover a subject such as reading, math, science, and writing. The reading center is a rug center with multiple and colorful seating areas which I believe will add interest to the students so they will want to go to that center and enjoy reading. I realize that reading can be a struggle for some early learners so if I provide a center that is comfortable and welcoming, then it will promote better interest in reading. To the left of the door entering the classroom are coat and backpack hanger areas for students to hold their belongings. On the opposite side of the room are a set off cubbies where the students can put their homework in at the beginning of the day and class work in at the end of the day. There is a computer center in the back of the room which can be used also as an educational center for the students. There is also a bathroom in the back right corner of the room so students are free to use a bathroom whenever needed.

 

Rituals and Routines -  At the start of the day when my students enter the classroom, there will be a routine for each student to follow. First they will hang their coats up, then pick their choice for lunch for the day, then turn in their homework, and finally fill out a daily emotional slip to keep track of each student’s social/emotional development. These routines can authentically asses students progress on learning routines as well as keep track of student’s emotions to assist them appropriately when needed. Also as with any routine, there is transparency involved because of the practice the students will have in following the routine. Also at the start of each day, the stduents will go over the classroom rules to further their understandings ofthe classroom rules.

Instructional Glimpse –

LESSON: Shapes and their differences/comparisons

Curriculum Standards:

2.3.K.A.1- Identify and describe two and three dimensional shapes

2.3.K.A.2 – Analyze, compare, create, and compose two and three dimensional shapes

Lesson Objectives:

After Prop demonstration and description of key points of individual shapes (square, cube, triangle, pyramid), students will be able to identify key points of shapes and be able to differentiate the shapes’ (in the lesson) attributes and dimensions. Students will be able to sit at the correct table baring one mistake which will be redirected with questioning so the student will be able to realize his or her mistake and correct it if there is a mistake in placement by the student. There will be 4 tables with 4 attempts to get the correct match and the student will be able to sit at the correct table within 2 attempts (75% if they get the first attempt wrong)

Assessment: 

The student will match the object chosen by him/her with the correct shape by sitting at the table in which their object matches the one on the table. Every student will have the choice of one shape/object before the matching game begins.

Materials and Resources:

2-D shapes, 3-D shapes, props to represent each shape

Procedures:

1. Classroom discussion opened up with basic shapes (not props) and ask student about them to see what they know about the shapes
2. Describe the shapes and their attributes and connect them with the props to show similarity
3. Students will chose a prop from a box provided with different props that represent the shapes in the lesson, the students will have a short time to discus to their neighbors what shape they have chosen and
4. Students will find the correct table that has the shape that matches the shape they have chosen

My Technology Integration - I can use a smart board in my lesson on teaching students about shapes. Smart boards provide interactive tools that draw the attention and interest from the students in my classroom. I can provide tools I create using a PowerPoint with animations or online resources about shapes for kindergarteners. I could also stay connected via social networks posting ideas for other teachers and receiving feedback from other teachers.

 http://www.facebook.com/  http://www.blogger.com/ http://www.twitter.com/

PLN – I will use social networks to provide ideas for teachers looking for ideas and also I will gather ideas from the blogs or Facebook pages of other teachers or professionals. Also search engines are a great and simple tool to use and find multiple sources and ideas to provide in my classroom.