MY CLASSROOM
My classroom is housed at Boyne City Public High School in Boyne City Michigan. I currently teach 9th and 12th grade English. My student population consists of a variety of learners ranging from high achieving, college bound seniors, National Honor Society members, and well trained CTE program students to Special Education students with myriad supports and accommodations. I use both physical and digital tools to ensure each student is working within the parameters of their abilities while still allowing room for challenging and enriching materials and lessons.
The classroom consists of three dimensions: the physical space, the digital realm with Google Classroom as the hub and all our learning tools and resources such as Kahoot, Common Lit, and YouTube. But perhaps the most important dimension is our classroom culture which is facilitated through honest communication, student centered policies, and regular whole group and individual check-ins.
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Our digital spaces are always being improved upon which includes regular lessons, training, and tutorials on how to utilize our tools most effectively. Please take a look at a sample assignment that has been used in our Google Classroom for 12th Grade students. I have included comprehensive vocabulary study tools, and audio accommodations, as well as student choice in how they respond to the text. The Google Document sample is available HERE. I do use video tutorials in our digital space to reinforce and supplement in-class activities such as this sample VIDEO on paragraph structure. For parents I also have my Teacher Classroom site available through our district's staff page. That site is linked HERE and include links to Google Classroom, our daily schedule, my welcome video and a contact page.
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Our classroom culture is shaped by regular feedback surveys, whole group discussions and restorative practices both inside and outside of the classroom. These forums allow students to express any concerns they may have about our classroom so that we may maintain a safe atmosphere and culture of learning.
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Our physical spaces are curated and modified on a student by student and class period by class period basis early in the year so that our room works for everyone. Below is a gallery and explanation of our physical classroom.
Enjoy the tour!
Our Resource Center and Information Station
As students enter the room they have access to any resources they may need for class. This area also serves as a place to turn in any paper based assignments. Located at the far end of the tables is a file crate which houses daily assignments and handouts. In the case that a student is absent, they can go here to find what they have missed or need to complete.
Under the tables are class labeled book bins for our first ten minutes of class Silent Sustained Reading.
Cupboard and Counter Area
This is a shared space for students and teacher. Cupboard and drawer spaces are labeled to help students quickly access materials. The counter top has additional resources such as a stapler, three hole punch ,and books. Located at the far left is our prize drawer with stickers for "gamified" learning activities. We also have random drawings for those students who may not wish to compete with higher performing students.
The Library
This is our small but growing library space, though we have books in spaces all over the room for easy access and as a way not to clog up this area at any given time during class. There is also some flexible seating options in this area that are regularly used by students.
Teacher Space
This area is my work and storage space. Students are cautioned at the beginning of the year that the orange floor is "hot lava" and that their shoes might melt if they tread into the teacher zone. Mine of course don't because I have special heat resistant teacher shoes. It's a fun way to ask them to respect the boundaries in our room. They picked it up very quickly and got the joke. I've decorated with a few things that express who I am as a person and not just a teacher including some of my artwork, my guitar which occasionally gets played during lessons, and a few cherished gifts given by students over the years.
Student Spaces
Additional flexible seating areas around the room offer alternatives for students who need that extra movement throughout the class period. These are shared spaces and allow students to connect, yet also let students spend some time away from table mates when needed or requested by me.
College Corner and additional Flexible Seating
This nook is a new addition to the room and one that became popular right away. I currently have one student who benefits from using the lectern as a work space as well.
Daily Agenda
Our daily agendas feature the date and day of the week and class title. It typically begins with quiet entry into the room, settling in, and preparing for our first ten minutes of silent sustained reading. We then review the posted essential questions and learning targets daily and begin our individual tasks or activities.
The White Board
The front wall of the class is covered almost entirely by white board, but flanked by display boards on either side. These additional areas not used for the agenda are spaces for student news, additional assignment info or resources. Out class expectations on the right side are student generated and curated over the course of the year. This smaller mobile lectern in my primary teaching platform during lectures.
The PRIDE Board
This area features a phone caddy and our school's technology policies and guidelines for safe digital citizenry. It also features our daily schedules, general class rules and any changes in schedules for activities or half days.
General Seating
We keep the lighting soft and rely on LED additions instead of the harsh overhead fluorescent fixtures. Seats are arranged in groups of four or five, and on certain days, material caddies are placed on group spaces. There is plenty of space for me to move around the room and check in on tables or individuals. Senior students currently have the flexibility to sit where they'd like while my larger Freshman classes have teacher generated seating charts.