Due to certain circumstances I was not able to attend Ms. Johnsons lessons. That being said I went over her slides and discussed with classmates. Ms. Johnson talked about her classroom management techniques and tools she uses. Brittany talked about starting the year with empty classroom walls, saving space for her students future work. This allows students to feel apart of the space and feel like they contributed to the classroom. I really enjoyed Brittany’s point of letting students give you feedback on seating arrangements. I can recall so many times I’d get seated in a place that was not ideal for my learning, and I’d be stuck there due to the teacher not asking for feedback. The key point I took away from overall classroom design is that, collaboration is so important in creating a safe and welcoming space.
Routines are incredibly important for students, especially young or students who may be on the Autism Spectrum. Not only a consistent routine, but a visual one as well. Visibility is important for students who may struggle with things like auditory processing, memory, language. Pictures are universal, and also let students have a form of independence. Alleviating students having to ask you what the schedule is for the day. Just as it’s important for students to have a routine, it’s just as important that you as the teacher set realistic expectations. A routine tends to only work if you’re consistent, and that comes from both sides.
The last thing I’ll touch on is the idea of a digital portfolio for your students. I really like this idea, as it can give great data on educational growth. A digital portfolio can also allow parents to check in with their students learning, more than just at parent teacher conferences. Digital portfolios can also alleviate the risk of losing work. Overall I am very sad I missed Ms. Johnsons lecture, but I hope to learn more in the future.