Inquiry into Design of Physical Space
I am working with Mr. Latimer, who teaches two periods of algebra 2 and 2 periods of calculus. He fully embodies SLA’s core value of collaboration through use of his desks, which are all arranged in groups of either 4 or 5. He has also clearly put thought into how decorates his room. His room is decorated in the exact fashion that I hope mine to be when I become a teacher. There are colorful projects that are both math and art which incorporate conic sections into images from popular culture. There are also some student projects of functions being applied to roller coasters. These student projects convey that Mr. Latimer values the work students put forth, and that math is not all worksheets and numbers. Outside his door is a small sticker which in rainbow colors reads ‘LGBTQ welcome here’. Inside the door he has a picture of a bunch of ladies dressed in soccer attire celebrating together along with inspirational words. I want to have similar decorations in my own classroom because I want students of any background or ethnicity to feel as though the classroom is their space, that they belong there just as much as anyone else, and that they are helping contribute to an atmosphere that cultivates a love of learning. In addition to decorations, Mr. Latimer has openly spoken to his students about the kind of classroom environment he wishes to build. His approach is best encapsulated in a statement he uttered this past week where he said, “it’s okay to be wrong [and] make errors, make mistakes, that’s why we have white boards.” Mr. Latimer began his school years by asking students to participate in setting class-wide ‘norms and expectations’ and followed that up by commenting on his acknowledgment and acceptance for students who learn at different rates. Brad has said, “if we all commit [to these norms and expectations], this will be a great classroom environment.” Brad clearly believes that a supportive classroom environment leads to more achievement for students and teachers, and I am fortunate to be partnered with such a sensible classroom mentor. I am fortunate that my classroom mentor shares similar beliefs to my own, and I am doing my best to keep track of all the messages he sends to students. He has multiple white boards around the classroom, which he painted with his daughter, so he is clearly practicing what he preaches about making mistakes and learning from them. His desk is in the far back corner of the classroom, and Mr. Latimer never seems to use it while class is in session. Instead, he centers his focus on the students for the entirety of lessons. It is great to see my own classroom vision come to life thanks to Mr. Latimer.
1 Comment
Sarah Poncz
9/10/2017 05:33:45 pm
Good insight into classroom "environment."
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Alex KoroljowStudent teacher at SLA @ Center City, Philadelphia. Archives
January 2018
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