Standard 3: Learning Environments

The teacher works with learners to create environments that support individual and collaborative
learning, positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self motivation.
Artifact #1 Classroom Seating Chart Set Up
Rationale: The way a teacher organizes a classroom can really make a difference in the student's
ability to learn and grow. I have chosen several seating charts that I would use in my classroom
to create an environment that supports individual and collaborative learning, and provides
opportunities for students to engage with one another in small groups.
Seating Option #1:
In classroom option #1 I have set up round tables around the room where 4 students will sit at each table. The white
board will be at the front of the room. The reasoning behind the round tables is small group work. I would set the
seating chart up to have 1 student that is high functioning at each table along with a student who may be struggling or a
student who may need extra scaffolding. Then I would accordingly place 2 average students at each table also. This
enables each table to participate as a small learning group. The tables would work on small projects together and
homework assignments. This will enable students who are excelling to tutor, support and model students who may be
struggling or need extra help. The tables are spread out enough that they are easily accessible for the teacher to reach
each and every student in the classroom if needed.


Classroom Option #2
In classroom option #3 students will sit at oblong tables with 3 students to each table. The room will be split in half where
students on one half of the classroom are facing the other half of the classroom. This classroom model provides a great
opportunity for students to engage in classroom discussion and debate. Setting the students up in groups of 3 provide
opportunities for small group work. One of the strengths of having 3 students to each table is that even if one student is
absent for a day, there will be typically at least 2 students at each table providing a partner to work with. Although this
particular setting poses difficulty for the teacher in that his/her back may be to half of the students at one time, if the
teacher moves to the front or back of the classroom he/she will have access to view the entire class. This classroom set up
focuses on student-centered learning and discussion.


Artifact #2: Lesson plan on respect and classroom rules
Rationale: I believe that it is vitally important for students to be involved in creating classroom
rules and expectations in order for the classroom to become an environment that becomes a
comfortable and positive learning environment. By including my students in creating classroom
expectations and rules they have a voice in the community and they become actively engaged
and responsible for creating and maintaining an environment that is safe, comfortable and
respectful. Below is a lesson plan that I use at the begin of the school year or new semester
where I as the teacher and students as a class work together to discuss and create a classroom
set of rules that everyone willingly agrees to uphold.

January 21st Utah Studies
Curriculum Standards: Understanding classroom expectations, respect for others, and creating an atmosphere for learning.
Content Objectives:
SWBAT list the classroom rules
SWBAT complete a quiz on classroom rules
Language Objectives:
SWBAT discuss with partners reasons that rules are needed
Instructional Procedures
Activity #1
Assign the students seats. Tell them they can sit anywhere they want but advise them they should not sit by their friends if
they are going to talk to them too much. Let them know I reserve the right to change seat's as they are appropriate. Also,
there cannot be all males or all females to a table they must have a mix of gender.
Activity #2
Write these questions on the classroom board
-How do you want me to treat you?
-How do you want to treat one another?
-How do you think I want to be treated?
-How should we treat one another when there's a conflict?
Think, Pair, Share
Have the students think about and write on a note card the answers to these questions. Then let the students discuss
these questions with their neighbors. Come together and have a discussion as a class on the answers to these questions.
Grab a poster and have the students write the classroom rules together. Let the students brainstorm rules they think should
be applied to the class and consequences of those rules when they are broken.
-Let the students know that you as the teacher really have only 4 classroom rules as follows
1. I am respectful
2. I am responsible
3. I am safe
4. I am prepared
Activity #3
Have the students decide of those 4 rules encompass all of the rules that they thought of. If so, (Which will be so) please
pass the classroom set of rules around to the classroom and have each student sign the rules.
-Give the students the disclosure statement for the class.
Make sure students understand these expectations of the class
-All classwork should be turned in on time, points will be docked when late
-3 hall passes a quarter are given out, if you do not use these passes they can be exchanged for a prize or extra credit.
-Please be sure to raise your hand, we do not laugh at one another only with one another, everyone is smart, and now
question is a dumb question