Innovative Learning Enviroments
My classroom learning environment is a place where students feel safe, engaged, connected with one another and the learning that is happening and supported. Students always feel welcomed, and have a sense of belonging, because they voice is used throughout the classroom (anchor charts, first language to label items, visuals). Students are encouraged and supported when they share their thinking with their peers and teacher. Through our diverse classroom activities, I hope students can apply their learning to their real life experiences. - Rema Rodrigues
Student voice
Self-directed learners
Student autonomy
In my classroom, I also make sure that my instruction is centered around students’ unique strengths and needs. Students use their unique learning styles to make learning meaningful and purposeful for them. I differentiate my instruction so that students can be engaged and challenge to reach their full potential. We use students’ prior knowledge, to teach new concepts, and make connections in our learning. Through this I allow students to develop a holistic approach to learning, that encourages them to strengthen their critical thinking skills, and solve problems through collaborate and communication with their peers and teacher. We develop a growth mindset, so that we can reach our learning goals. - Rema Rodrigues
Diverse strengths and needs of students
Student-centered instruction = Student voice
Co-constructed charts and learning goals
I ensure to integrate a variety of technology platforms and tools to engage and support the diverse learning needs and styles of my students. Rema Rodrigues
Apps such as Google Read and Write, Google Docs, Show Me App, and Padlet
We build a positive school climate by ensuring that students fostering positive teacher student relationships and acknowledging students unique shared ideas. We ensure that students social and emotional learning needs are met, by providing students with strategies to help them problem solve. In my school we used the SEL program to help students learn to work through their emotions and be able to appropriately express themselves and their needs. This fostered positive interactions with their peers and allowed students to communicate positively to solve problems. - Rema Rodrigues
Positive student teacher relationships
Aware of one's social and emotional needs
As an educator, I support students’ learning by providing them with direct, timely feedback, that allows them to deepen and grow in their learning and classroom contributions. I ask students to use strategies such as “two wishes and a star” to give students appropriate feedback and next steps to improving their work. I invite their peers to give feedback to one another as well, so that we are all involved in the learning process. We use various platforms to provide students feedback, so that it is accessible to all students. - Rema Rodrigues
Timely and direct feedback
Next steps in learning - achieve personalized learning goals
Strategies for feedback: "two wishes and a star"
Technology feedback tools: Google voice note, Flipgrid.
Learning in my classroom can happen anywhere at anytime, which means I include flexible grouping and seating for my students. - Rema Rodrigues
Flexible groups: Student and at time teacher choice
Flexible seating: pillows, stools, rolling chairs, floor, carpet, benches, or couches