Classroom Culture
Phase 1
"Look-Fors" During Observation
Remember: The most helpful part of the observation is not checking off items, but the conversations and reflections that happen after the visit.
Remember: The most helpful part of the observation is not checking off items, but the conversations and reflections that happen after the visit.
Beginning/ Developing
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Practicing/ Achieving
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Questions to Guide Observation
- What does the teacher do as students arrive in the classroom?
- Are instructional materials/ tech ready for use?
- What are student responsibilities regarding materials?
- Does she/he have instructions on the board or activities for engagement?
- How are students guided in the upkeep of the room and learning materials?
- How are students recognized during classroom discussion? (online too!)
- What level of independency and autonomy do you see in how students begin and transition through activities, and access resources in the classroom?
- If you ask students about why they do things a certain way or where resources are they can readily reply.
- How is time managed in the classroom?
- How does the teacher use routines to create opportunities for autonomy and learning to occur in a personalized way for students?
Resources
- Planning guide to help create routines, procedures and expectations for a blended environment (Word Document Checklist) Document will guide you through planning transitions, device management and student support.
- 9 Strategies for Effective Classroom Management (Video Playlist from Teaching Channel) Playlist highlights a mix of techniques for classroom management. Some take a bit of time to set into motion, but several of the videos give tips you can try tomorrow.
- Ten Tips of Classroom Management (Book Edutopia) How to improve student engagement and build a positive climate for learning and discipline.
- Station Transition (Video by BetterLesson) This two minute video give you an example of station transitions in a classroom.
- Launch (Video by BetterLesson) This link takes you to 3 strategy resources. Launch is a quick and efficient way for students to prepare themselves to start working on digital content in a blended classroom. This strategy is a student-led process. Strategy explanation and student handouts are included.
- Rotation Expectations (Video by BetterLesson) This six minute video show how a teacher takes time to make it very clear where students will go, what they will do, and what materials they will need. Dedicating extra time to review Rotation Expectations at the beginning of the year helps to ensure that rotations will run smoothly throughout the year.
- 8 Forces that Shape Group Culture: This List provides the 8 forces that shape group culture giving an explanation of each one.
- 20 Quick Tips for Time Management This website shares some great ways to keep track of and monitor time to be more productive.
- Attributes of a Learning Community This protocol helps to establish basic attributes of good learning communities through real participant experiences. The attributes become goals/guidelines for checking on progress as a new learning community develops.
- Responsive Classroom Info Library: This is a treasure trove of resources for building and maintaining a positive classroom culture. You can find excellent resources for organizing the space, routines to build positive and child directed culture, facilitate morning meetings, language to support culture and much more.

Routines + Procedures, Coaching Tool | |
File Size: | 123 kb |
File Type: | docx |

Routines + Procedures, Coaching Tool | |
File Size: | 207 kb |
File Type: |