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May 1, 2012

Doodle Bugs! Standard of the Week: 04/30/12

The SOTW for this week reminds our teachers that an effective classroom environment acts as a ‘third teacher’, especially in regard to behavior management. In other words, when undesirable behaviors are occurring, we need to look critically at the classroom environment.

When teachers bring behavior issues to your attention, please evaluate the environment using the criteria noted in this SOTW first. More often than not, it’s the environment — not the child — that needs to be ‘fixed.’

Is your classroom:

• Organized? A cluttered, messy or disorganized space increases wait times and creates conflict.
• Appealing? Interesting, well-stocked learning centers hold children’s attention and make it easy to work in small groups.
• Consistent? Children thrive on routine and repetition. A consistent daily schedule and clear expectations promote learning and cooperation.
• Child-Centered? Children deserve control over how and where they learn and play. Teachers support by asking questions and extending play, not by telling them what to do.

The SOTW will be posted for parents to see, in the faculty lounge, and placed in each classroom’s mailslot. As always, thank you for your attention to these important doodle details!

View the current SOTW as a .pdf here: 043012_Classroom Environment