Classroom environment (practice)

I have just started my practice in the Monnet International School in Warsaw and I would like to share my reflections. First of all, I am very exited about this experience and I can't wait to see other lessons. Let's start with a short introduction. There are 12 children in this classroom, they are 7 years old, so it's the first grade. 

Today, I would like to focus on classroom environment. The topic of the first lesson was about the differences between fresh and bad food. The main aim was to revise vitamins and food groups. The second lesson was about sharing some ideas how to keep fruit fresh. The main aim was to talk about the packaging for food.

Classroom Environment 

There are single desks for each student. In the classroom, there are also some areas for pupils to stand and interact including the back of the classroom, where they formed a circle out of chairs to discuss, as well as the front of the class, where they had a group work. Children can comfortably work in groups. Around the classroom, there are displays including the display with the classroom rules and the display of food, which children usually have for breakfast and vitamins, which they consume eating the breakfast. Children don't use any coursebook during the main lessons as it is a project-based learning, so children are inquirers and researchers. However, they have some coursebooks for other subjects, for example, Chinese or Maths. But, I am not going to see it, as those subjects are taught by other teachers. During the lessons, children were using WordWall and the teacher brought some real fruit to show them the differences between fresh and bad banana. There was also a poster about the features of food packaging, for example, fragile, leaky, cheap or expensive. Children can keep their books and materials in the cabinet at the back of the classroom, each child has own shelf. 

To conclude, the classroom environment is positive as the teacher is very organised, supportive and outgoing, and the atmosphere is very friendly. Students are encouraged to tackle challenges, but they can also count on the teacher by asking for help. Teacher pays a lot of attention to students social and emotional needs, and ensures about students' well-being. In fact, classroom environment is one of the most important aspects which affect students' learning, therefore, in seems that in this classroom children feel supported and confident. 

What are your tips to create a positive classroom environment?

Angelika