Environmental Wellbeing
At school, we as teachers' monitor your childrens' wellbeing through their environment.
Classroom Environment
We as learning managers aim to design our classrooms to ensure a positive and comfortable classroom environment is achieved. In order to create such an environment, many resources and teaching strategies are implemented into the classroom setting. Just some of the many teaching strategies and resources include; bright, positive and encouraging posters, anti-bulling rules, a friendly and supportive environment as well as making sure the classroom is an all inclusive zone.
Justification
The classroom environment could arguably be one of the most important aspects of learning and wellbeing. "Educational research supports creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and support in the classroom, where students feel safe in expressing concerns or asking questions, and where tolerance and a sense of common identity and community are promoted" (Strong, 2002;Wilen et al., 2004; Shepard,2000).
The classroom environment could arguably be one of the most important aspects of learning and wellbeing. "Educational research supports creating an atmosphere of mutual respect and support in the classroom, where students feel safe in expressing concerns or asking questions, and where tolerance and a sense of common identity and community are promoted" (Strong, 2002;Wilen et al., 2004; Shepard,2000).
Printable "Anti Bullying" Poster | |
File Size: | 106 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Printable "Just Be You" Poster.docx | |
File Size: | 17 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Bug Me Poster
The "Bug Me Poster" is a resource that has been designed by Brydie Chataway and Sarah Lade, to be displayed in the classroom environment. The poster aims to inform the students on what type of language is appropriate to use, when informing another student that their actions are bugging them. An example for when one of these phrases may be used, would be if one students was yelling in another's face. The student would simply say to the other student, "It upsets me when you yell in my face, I don't like it, please stop."
The 'Be' Poster
"The 'Be' Poster" is a visual artefact that is designed by the students in the class. The poster will have the word 'Be' already written, in big letters in the center of the poster. The students are to brainstorm collaboratively in pairs or small groups, discussing what they believe positive personality traits are, in which they would like their peers as well as themselves to possess. The students then write their personality traits around the 'Be' on the poster. The students should be able to brainstorm an extensive list of personality traits. This list of words may include; helpful, caring, supportive, happy, determined, positive, hard working, honest, reliable and kind. This activity aims to demonstrate what personality traits are valued in a person, therefore encouraging the students to alter their decisions and actions for the better.
Justification
Students perform at their best when they feel safe and comfortable in their learning environment, as their self-esteem increases as well as their motivation to learn. Therefore the classroom environment that is created by the learning manager and the students is crucial, in order for the students to achieve success. Visual aids within the classroom are great resources in order to create a positive and motivating learning environment. Not only do visual aids educate students but also inspire them to better themselves and achieve higher (A community of Learners, 2014).
Students perform at their best when they feel safe and comfortable in their learning environment, as their self-esteem increases as well as their motivation to learn. Therefore the classroom environment that is created by the learning manager and the students is crucial, in order for the students to achieve success. Visual aids within the classroom are great resources in order to create a positive and motivating learning environment. Not only do visual aids educate students but also inspire them to better themselves and achieve higher (A community of Learners, 2014).
The Chill Out Zone
The "Chill Out Zone" is a selected area in the classroom, where students can go to chill out if they are feeling like they are about to loose control. The selected area is a quiet space where they can choose to silently read a book, listen to some music on the class I-pod, mould objects with play-doh or distress by squeezing the stress ball. The space is only an option for students who are really not coping and need a short amount of time to recoup and gather their thoughts.
Justification
The "Chill out Zone" aims to show the students that their classroom environment is a safe place where they can pick them selves up if they are having a bad day, or are having issues at home. After all, students will not be able to perform to their best ability academically, if they are falling apart inside. Therefore the "Chill Out Zone" creates a warm, safe and caring environment within the classroom environment. 'Queensland Department of Education 2005', believe that creating such an environment, can "influence the nature of the activities they undertake, engage seriously in their study, regulate their behaviour and know of explicit and high expectations of what they are to achieve (Queensland Department of Education 2005).
The "Chill out Zone" aims to show the students that their classroom environment is a safe place where they can pick them selves up if they are having a bad day, or are having issues at home. After all, students will not be able to perform to their best ability academically, if they are falling apart inside. Therefore the "Chill Out Zone" creates a warm, safe and caring environment within the classroom environment. 'Queensland Department of Education 2005', believe that creating such an environment, can "influence the nature of the activities they undertake, engage seriously in their study, regulate their behaviour and know of explicit and high expectations of what they are to achieve (Queensland Department of Education 2005).
Possible chill out zone layouts...
Chore Jar
A "Chore Jar", is a jar full of paddle pop sticks that have classroom chores written on each one. Some examples of chores that could be written on the paddle pop sticks include; tidy your tidy tray, pick up some rubbish off the floor, clean the classroom board and straightening up desks. Each classroom environment will include a different list of chores due to their classroom learning manager and classroom layout. For example, some classrooms may have a class pet that they can assist with, while other classrooms may not.
Justification
The "Chore jar" is designed to teach the students that they must care for their learning environment, as it is not only the learning managers teaching space, but also the students place for learning. Therefore each student should take pride in their school and their classroom by keeping it tidy and presentable (Education Space, 2014).
The "Chore jar" is designed to teach the students that they must care for their learning environment, as it is not only the learning managers teaching space, but also the students place for learning. Therefore each student should take pride in their school and their classroom by keeping it tidy and presentable (Education Space, 2014).
You can monitor your child's wellbeing through their environment at home too!
- Create a positive and calming home atmosphere, where the children can come home and relax - Hang pictures of happy family
memories around your home. - Provide your children with an area where they can have their own space to relax and wind down. This may be their bedroom or half an hour in the living or lounge room.
- Create and hang a behaviour chart on the wall where you can reward positive behaviour - Create a chore jar for home
- Teach your children the importance of a sustainable environment, conserve water, plant trees, have someone in the household be in charge of making sure that all the lights and fans throughout the house are switched off when they are not in use.
- Encourage fun activities to do at home, such as; baking, knitting, candle making or playing a game of soccer in the backyard.
Communication; how we can build a stronger teacher to parent relationship.
Below are two behaviour charts, one to be used in the classroom and one to be used at home. Parents and Learning Managers each reflect upon the child's behaviour daily. They both document on separate behaviour charts by simply placing a gold star for good behaviour, a silver star for where behaviour needs to be improved and a red star for when children act out and misbehave. Parents and Learning Managers can meet to discuss the behaviour and compare possible differences; or for convenience simply email a photo of the chart weekly.
Justification
"Parents know their children best, they are in the best position to inform schools and Teachers about their children’s needs and capacities. They are deeply invested in their children’s success" (The Parent Academy,2014). The resource requires both Parents and Teachers to implement individual behaviour charts, this enables both parties' to compare and communicate the students behaviour for each environment; home and school. Therefore if a students' behaviour was starting to slip, it would be documented on the chart for both the educator and parent to see. Through the charts, the parents and learning manager can discuss the behaviour that was shown and work together to create strategies to improve or alter the environment in which the student most struggles. If the student behaves impeccably at home yet is extremely disruptive at school, then both parent and learning manager can assume that for some reason, the school environment causes this behaviour and is unsuitable for this specific child's needs. The charts are a wonderful way to monitor environmental wellbeing; when uncharacteristic behaviour occurs, both parents and learning managers may recognise the child's possible distress thus allowing them to further support the child in need.
"Parents know their children best, they are in the best position to inform schools and Teachers about their children’s needs and capacities. They are deeply invested in their children’s success" (The Parent Academy,2014). The resource requires both Parents and Teachers to implement individual behaviour charts, this enables both parties' to compare and communicate the students behaviour for each environment; home and school. Therefore if a students' behaviour was starting to slip, it would be documented on the chart for both the educator and parent to see. Through the charts, the parents and learning manager can discuss the behaviour that was shown and work together to create strategies to improve or alter the environment in which the student most struggles. If the student behaves impeccably at home yet is extremely disruptive at school, then both parent and learning manager can assume that for some reason, the school environment causes this behaviour and is unsuitable for this specific child's needs. The charts are a wonderful way to monitor environmental wellbeing; when uncharacteristic behaviour occurs, both parents and learning managers may recognise the child's possible distress thus allowing them to further support the child in need.