Jesseca Kallini

SPED 310 500

Reflection #1
October 6, 2015
On my honor, as an Aggie, I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this
academic work.

Signature: __________________________________________

A successful classroom is dependent on several different factors that are crucial

for teachers to understand and appreciated into their classroom environment. Classroom
arrangement, teacher routines and teacher movements come in many different forms, but
no matter what they are essential to the success of the classroom.
Teachers should take the arrangement of the classroom very seriously. A students
success revolves around effective and positive classroom arrangement. Having a
classroom arrangement that works for your students will build into the success of teacher
movements and teaching of routines. The optimal room arrangement allows you to get
from any student to any other student with the fewest steps. (Jones, 2007) This perfectly
summarizes the key aspects of classroom arrangement. When a teacher can freely move
among the desks, she is able to observe all students, see how they are progressing on their
classwork and she is able to quickly pass out praise to students. Another huge benefit of
this is that she is able to stop problem behaviors immediately.
At Creek View Elementary in Mrs. Johnsons class, the desks are set up so they
look like one big table, but its really five or six smaller desks put together. All together
there is four of these tables in the classroom. Between each cluster of desks is plenty of
space for the teacher to walk around and for students to get up safely. Overall, her table
system is very successful and it allows her to look at the students work as she moves
around the room. Constant movement in the classroom greatly reduces problem behavior,
because students know that the teacher is watching them at all times.
Teacher movements are important in any classroom, no matter what grade level it
is. As discussed in class, when a teacher sets himself or herself behind a podium or table,
they are making themselves unapproachable. Students should feel as if they can ask their

teachers anything. The students should not be afraid to ask for help and when a teacher is
moving around the classroom it allows students to ask questions as they come around to
different tables.
Mrs. Johnsons constant movement allows her to quickly pass out reward beads
to students that are following the CHAMPS that are set up for whatever subject they are
in. The activity and participation changes according to subject, but conversation, help and
movement always remain the same. During math and science, the teacher movements
are very precise and accurate. Mrs. Johnson starts in the back half of the classroom after
finishing the lesson and works her way to the front of the class. She follows the
classroom in a figure eight and repeats this until she needs to go to the board. Mrs.
Johnson is always zigzagging through the desk clusters.
It is easier to have high standards in your classroom than to have low standards.
(Jones, 2007) This quote from Tools for Teaching is great descriptor of what teachers
should be expecting of their students. It will always be easier to have low expectations of
your students and they will just slide by. Teachers need to set their standards high for all
students and then do everything in their power so they can help them accomplish their
goals. In my mentor classroom, my teacher is constantly reminding the students that she
is here to set them up for success. She wants them to remember that no matter what; the
most important thing they feel is successful. She truly goes out of her way to ensure all
students get the lesson and that they are taking advantage of all resources that will set
them up for success.
Teaching routines in the classroom is wonderful way to set up students for
success. This allows students to become familiar with procedures and rules. They are

aware of the high expectations that are set for them, and the procedures that will help
them get there. Having routines in the classroom allows for consistency in your
classroom and your students. It allows students to become comfortable and familiar in a
new setting. As discussed in class, having routines eliminates problem behavior and
student distractions.
For a classroom to be successful and powerful, a teacher needs to instill all three
of the following; classroom arrangement, teacher routines and teacher movements. One
cannot exist without the other; they are dependent on each other. By having a powerful
classroom arrangement, the teacher will have positive teacher movements and this will
allow for effective classroom routine. All three need to coexist together positively so all
students are set up for success at all times throughout the day.

Works Cited

Jones, F. (2007). Arranging the classroom in Tools for teaching:

Discipline, instruction, motivation. Santa Cruz, CA: Frederic H.
Jones & Associates, Inc.
Jones, F. (2007). Teaching Routines in Tools for teaching: Discipline,
instruction, motivation. Santa Cruz, CA: Frederic H. Jones & Associates, Inc.