Developmental Appropriate

Practices “Energizing and Engaging Classroom Environments”

The Impact of Engaging Environments

Which Quote Best Fits Your Thoughts?

“Everywhere, we learn only

from those we love.”

-Goethe

“ A good learning

environment empowers

children to become

confident learners.”

-Jim Greenman

"Education is a natural

process carried out by the

human individual, and is

acquired not by listening to

words, but by experiences in

the environment.”

-Maria Montessori

“Education is not the filling of

a pail, but the lighting of a

fire.”

-William Butler Yeats

What are practices that increase quality environments

Environmentally sound physical environment (clean, safe, and functional layout)

Divide space into defined areas: children need order Especially visual spatial thinkers and children with Sensory integration issues.

A.Entry Feature B.Open Area C.Climbing or Crawling Area D.Messy Area E.Building Area F.Nature Art Area G.Music & Movement H.Garden Area I.Gathering Area J.Storage Area

Indoor and outdoor physical environments that offer a variety of settings for different learning opportunities that support child’s unique needs and challenges.

Practices that Increase the Quality of Environments

Additional considerations that increase the quality of environments

• Physical space plays a primary role in facilitating the development and maintenance of relationships in communication , tone and delivery that allows children to know one another .

• Early childhood, elementary education, and special education systems reflect what we know about how diverse young children interact with their surroundings across the Pre-K through third grade span.

• Schools are welcoming and accessible to all children and their families.

• Positive relationships and effective communication are central to an affirmative environment.

• Tools- Assessments/Checklist for the physical environment, Teacher Observational tools that measure quality interaction.

• Professional Development and Mentoring systems.

• Resources: Curriculum and classroom educational materials that support all developmental domains and school readiness skill acquisition.

Classroom environments are based on teacher child interactions, engaging materials, resources and tools

that build confident learners.

National Center on Quality Teaching and Learning: Framework for Effective Practice

CLASS

Behavioral Markers

Example – Relationships: proximity, shared activities

Example –

Analysis and Reasoning: why/how questions

Indicators

Example –

Positive Climate :

• Relationships

• Positive Affect

• Positive Communication • Respect

Example –

Concept Development:

• Analysis and Reasoning

• Creating

• Integration

• Connections to the Real World

Positive Climate Negative Climate Teacher Sensitivity

Regard for Student Perspectives

Concept Development Quality of Feedback Language Modeling

Dimensions

Emotional

Support

Instructional

Support

Classroom

Organization

Domains

Behavior Management Productivity

Instructional Learning Formats

Example –

Behavior Management:

• Clear Behavior Expectations

• Proactive

• Redirection of Misbehavior • Student Behavior

Example –

Clear Behavior Expectations: consistency, clarity

Resources