Responsive Classroom

Responsive Classroom is the teaching approach I use to create a safe learning environment for the children. Every day begins with a Morning Meeting; includes Quiet Time, Academic Choice, Guided Discovery, Interactive Modeling, and Energizers; then ends with a Closing Circle. Through this approach the children learn how to care for themselves, others, materials, and their work. They learn how to be independent learners who are intrinsicly motivated to learn.

I am a certified Responsive Classroom Consulting Teacher teaching Responsive Classroom across the country. For further Responsive Classroom professional development contact Allison Evans. For further information on Responsive Classroom teaching practices, visit their site, subscribe to their blog, or become a fan on Facebook.

Morning Meeting

Morning Meeting begins our day. We greet each other, share about ourselves, participate in a social &/or academic activity, & interact with the morning message to prepare for the day.

Closing Circle

Our day is complete once we have a Closing Circle. It is during this time that we reflect on our time together as well as continue to build community through activities.

Quiet Time

Every day after recess we engage in Quiet Time. We spend a great deal of our day working collaboratively, & need a silent time to be alone. Then, we are refreshed for even more learning!

Energizers

Energizers keep our momentum going. We break throughout the day to give our minds & bodies a quick break. Once done we are immediately ready to continue with our work.

Guided Discovery

Guided Discovery allows us to learn how to use & care for classroom materials while referring to the Class Rules. Later we use the materials during Academic Choice.

Academic Choice

We begin our learning together in the circle & then we begin working for deeper understanding. We may choose who to work with, materials to use, &/or how to show our learning.

Interactive Modeling

I use Interactive Modeling to teach & practice routines & class rules. It is a powerful way for children to observe & experience expected behaviors. Which also helps us follow our Class Rules.

Class Rules

Our Class Rules are developed as a class, after we have all identified & shared our Hopes & Dreams for the school year. We revisit our rules often throughout the year to practice expected behaviors.

The 1st 6 Weeks

During this time we share our Hopes & Dreams for the year, which allow us to create our Class Rules. While creating our rules we read, think, and discuss the aspects of C.A.R.E.S. ~ Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-Control.

We learn how to use and care for classroom materials through Guided Discovery. We discover, discuss, & decide how we will use & care for each material.

The 1st 6 Weeks are also a time to teach routines such as arrival, dismissal, transitions, and working with others.

Two students from 2009 initiated a school - wide "Let's Talk" campaign.

The Peace Table

The Peace Table is an ideal spot in the classroom for the children to be assertive about their needs. This is a designated area in the classroom where the children can talk to each other about difficulties they may be having. There are numerous tools in this area to assist the children. You can often see them listening to each other, taking responsibility for their actions, and cooperating to resolve the issue.

The Peace Table is also a place for the children to Take - A - Break or regain self-control. They go there when they are feeling overwhelmed, need to calm down, or think.