Teachers should cultivate supportive learning environments to ensure that all students feel encouraged, active, and engaged in their education. In a supportive learning environment, students will feel comfortable trying out new ideas and seeking out positive social interactions. I worked to foster a positive learning environment by creating a classroom management plan, making space for students to deeply engage with and reflect on the days lesson material, and allowing time for peer interaction.
With a classroom management plan in place, students know exactly what is expected of them and the type of behaviors that are not allowed within the classroom. When students know what to expect during the class period and how they and their peers will be expected to behave, they no longer have to use their mental energy guessing. Students can put all their energy towards problem solving and understanding the material.
Making the time for students to have some productive struggle is equally important to cultivating a positive learning environment. Some of the ways that I did this throughout the class period was through exit slips that asked students to rephrase ideas or expand on topics, brain stretches that happened before whole group instruction and may include anything from writing prompts to logic puzzles just to get students thinking differently about math, and letting students reteach topics of struggle to the class for a fresh perspective.
Whole group instruction is helpful in ensuring that the students understand the material on a foundational level. However, students are able to dive deeper into the material when they are allowed the opportunity to re-explain the material to a peer and receive feedback. This, also, allows students the chance to build on their communication and social skills in a safe environment.