Standard 4: Learning Environments
Accomplished teachers establish safe and engaging learning environments that meet the Opportunity-To-Learn Standards (2017) to support student learning and growth.
Creating a safe learning environment involves both physical safety and intellectual safety. This classroom management plan explains my intentions for both aspects. It outlines how I hope to arrange the physical space in which I teach, to provide the best experience for my students within the limits of a typical school classroom. It also includes aspects of the classroom culture I intend to create, such as rules/expectations and disciplinary procedures. These intangible aspects of the classroom are important for ensuring students have a safe, supportive, and productive experience.
This participation rubric further elaborates guidelines for safe and acceptable behavior. The class expectations are designed to align with the elements of dance, illustrating how the environment honors and supports dance content in every aspect.
Teaching during the last two years has required special considerations for student safety due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This included social distancing, reduced groupwork, and extra cleaning. The highlighted line in this lesson plan excerpt shows how COVID-19-related safety procedures were thought about during lesson creation and built into the lesson plans.