Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Organization is Key

When parents visit your classroom for the very first time they are looking for high expectations. Looking to see if the students are engaged and whether the class is organized. This blog will discuss various strategies on classroom arrangement, structure, activities and organization implemented by teacher's practices.

The following activities support the learning environment for birth to third grade. More importantly, the websites that were chosen expounds on the values and academic enrichment of principles used inside the classroom.

Early Years of Learning- Birth to PK

By the time a fetus is 18 weeks old in their mother's womb they begin to hear. They are connecting to the real world by the way of noise or anything that makes some type of sound. This is the same for babies who loves listening to a human speak softly and gentle.

Activity 1 with Baby: Reading a book aloud

Babies love vibrant colors and a book that will definitely captivate their attention. The purpose will influence oral language skills and develop vocabulary.  

Arrangement of class would be a room ideally structured for them. No harmful objects or loud overly powering music but an environment that is soothing and therapeutic.

Rocking chairs or even stationary ones is appropriate to sit in while reading a book and holding the baby. Of course always using that gentle voice to keep them at ease and engaged. Also, pointing to pictures will help keep them focused even singing to help stimulate them. This is a structured and organized activity that can be done several times a day but keep it brief. Another great way of building a close relationship!

By the time a child is age appropriate for reading books they will have mastered these skills of understanding books and thinking within the text. Enabling them to fully participate in activities and discover facts and ideas. Importantly, make connections, predictions and visualize the story.

World of Words

When a child enters preschool or PK the class is more structured. This is a time when teachers want the children to be more independent and self sufficient. Constantly interchanging dialect and interaction between student and teacher is key and necessary for growth.

Activity 2: Story Lab

Over the course of the school year progressing stories become more sophisticated and more complex. The purpose will be for deliberate memory, recalling story elements, events and vocabulary. Making sure students use listening comprehension strategies and understand the grammar of the story.  Teachers will intentionally support students in developing different skills.

Structure and arrangement for this activity can be done with a partner or a small group at the table or carpet area. Organization is created by scheduling a time block where students have the opportunity to interact around books with peers and adults.
20 x My Family School Clipart

Progressing Years K to 3


Activity 3: Write on

Writing helps promote a better writer, reader, aid astonishment between concept of words, phonemic awareness and phonics.Students will develop foundational comprehension and learn how to practice prerequisite skills for reading and decoding.

This can be organized through scaffolded writing and various writing activities. Pencils, crayons, or markers can be used. Structuring this activity in the morning or mid afternoon when the students are attentive and calm to begin their writing.

Activity 4 Read to me

Provide books according to grade and or reading level. Teachers should listen precisely to students read. The purpose will strengthen oral language skills and build vocabulary. Practicing conversing with peers engages in positive social interaction. Guiding students and practicing active listening is great way to assist with self regulation. Children can take turns and experience each other making the stories come alive. Structured and organization in a classroom setting where the teacher has the students settled.

The website provides descriptive details on how to  organize classrooms. This website gives great information and is sure to help a teacher with ways to organize their classroom.
This website gives great information and is sure to help a teacher with ways to organize their classroom.
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/392/
Organizing your classroom to be inviting will let students want to be there and feel comfortable.
The website is useful for educators in constructing a positive and inviting environment for students to learn and grow. and strategies for classroom arrangement, structure, activities and organization for the birth to Pre-K settings and Kindergarten to Grade 3 environments. These will be exciting and helpful for teachers to get ready for the school year.
These strategies for classroom arrangement, structure, activities and organization for the birth to Pre-K settings and Kindergarten to Grade 3 environments are imperative for students to have a academically enriching school year.


For more additional activies
http://www.readingrockets.org/article/392/

BLOGGER CORNER

http://classroomideasandstrategies.blogspot.com/- This blogger gives insightful suggestions on ways of classroom structures, activities and usefulness of encouraging activities