Domain 1: Creating an Environment for Learning
We had nearly 2 weeks to think about which option for certification worked best for us. Tough decisions were made and it was decided that some of our certification modules would be completed during our department PLC, some with both our math & science departments (after all it’s about both of our content areas!), while others would require some of our personal time.
On Friday, December 2, 2016, we meet as a department in our
computer lab, where we kicked off our STEM certification! Our focus, Domain 1: Creating an Environment
for Learning. Kathryn walked us through the website and we began to dive
into our online curriculum.
We were given an article to read and collaborate on with our shoulder partners: Building Empathy in Classrooms & Schools and then watched a classroom video, which would lead to thought provoking discussions on what makes a learning environment positive.
I must be honest, after watching the video and hearing my peers thoughts, the wheels begin to spin. Spin because I realized just how vast our experience and knowledge as teachers is within our department. We each have different ideas as far as what a positive learning environment looks, sounds and feels like. By going through our certification together, we will grow together and help each other grow in this aspect. After all, we are learners too!
Observing each other was the next task on our agenda! I always love observing others' classrooms because you can always learn something new. From a new way to group students or an instructional strategy to implement in our classrooms, powerful conversations amongst my team members evolved!
Observing each other was the next task on our agenda! I always love observing others' classrooms because you can always learn something new. From a new way to group students or an instructional strategy to implement in our classrooms, powerful conversations amongst my team members evolved!
Guiding Questions for our Video Reflection & Classroom Observations
1. How would you characterize the majority of interactions between the teacher and student?
2. Describe what you would consider to be positive interactions. How do you determine which interactions are positive?
3. Describe any interactions you observed that you would have changed, and how you would have changed them.
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