Lesson 3: Creating Productive Learning Environments.

Mrs. Nelson does an incredible job at setting up her classroom to be a productive learning environment. Students feel safe, loved, as well as have structure for what they will be learning in that class time.

Mrs. Nelson starts every class in the same way which offers consistency to students. These clear routines that are established reinforce what is being learned. First the students gather in their assigned "house" or place on the mat and shoot a figurative arrow at their Learning Targets. Then each student recites,

"I can read and write (Capital Daily Letter, Lowercase Daily Letter) 

(Daily Letter) says (Letter Sound)

I can read (two or three Sight words)

I can (math concept)

After the students finish their learning targets, they decide the weather, recite their shapes, sing the days of the week song, and add a day to their "days of school count down". This routine has been in place each class session, and supports a productive learning environment by adding stability and consistency from day to day. Students come to class knowing what they are going to be doing, despite there being small changes in the words, letters and math problems.

I spoke about this in my last post, but with the daily King or Queen Mrs. Nelson makes her students feel loved, safe, promotes a positive classroom community AND recognizes students skills. When she selects a student she describes to the class what skills they have been exhibiting that she has been impressed with, whether it be how the student treats the others in class, or the way they have been neatly practicing their letters. Then when the student is chosen, a random few students are chosen to say what they love about their classmate. The students eyes always light up when it is time to choose the king or queen, and though at times students are disappointed when they are not selected (typical for 5/6-year-old's), they are always supportive of their friend.

Another way that Mrs. Nelson makes her students feel loved is through her end of the day song. She sings to her class at the end of every day thanking them for learning, and telling them that she "loves them so." the students respond by singing thank you for teaching. I can tell that the students love and appreciate Mrs. Nelson and are grateful for her.