Running head: TRADE PUBLICATION PAPER 1

Trade Publication Paper:

Classroom Environment

Kelsey E. Frye

Coastal Carolina University

TRADE PUBLICATION PAPER 2

The structure of a classroom is critical in affecting student morale and learning. Students'

involvement in the process of creating their environment can empower them, develop

community and increase motivation. The classroom plays a central role in encouraging positive

behavior. Some frequently used words that describe appropriate childhood settings would be

supportive, safe, and engaging. Also co-constructing problem solving strategies and making the

classroom a safe environment is important as well. With reporting classroom behavior, it is

important to maintain a good relationship with the students parents. It is always important to

involve the parents in their childrens learning experience.

In Building Environments That Encourage Positive Behavior they give you many

examples on how to create classroom environments that inspire young children to use positive

behavior. Consistent classroom environments can increase the childrens independence, as well

as positive behavior. Teachers can warn students about an upcoming transition to support

appropriate behavior. Giving the students expectations gives them a chance to practice how to act

in a learning environment. Most of the time we think that children know how to act

appropriately. We can avoid downfall by teaching the students how to put those expectations into

practice. Providing students with positive feedback helps them know what that appropriate

behavior looks like. Also teachers need to point out what bad behavior looks like and what the

consequence is for it.

In Reporting Classroom Behavior they explained different ways how to report

behavior. There are six main steps to reporting classroom behavior they would be the following:

Identify the problem and determine if it involves ethics, Identify the stakeholders affected by this

situation, Brainstorm possible resolutions, Consider ethical finesse, Look for guidance in the
TRADE PUBLICATION PAPER 3

NAEYC code, and Identify defensible course of action. It is important to consider ethical finesse

when addressing dilemmas. Also you must act to the inappropriate childs behavior as soon as

possible, because if you dont the student wont learn from his/her mistake. To avoid these kind

of issues you must state clear policies. When faced with a problem make sure you support the

bond between the child and family. You also should keep a strong teacher-parent relationship,

and you should build on these from the time you meet the student. Being a teacher you have to

be flexible, be available to meet with parents at any time they have questions.

In Environments That Engage and Inspire Young Learners, author Derry Koralek tells

his readers that the environment for kids should be organized with elements that are changing but

that are also predictable. When teachers create the environments for the children they consider

the age and stages of development of the children. Environments that are effective do not have to

have materials that cost a lot, but the materials do need to promote learning. Materials do not

have to be books or calculators they can be such as a box can help with motor and social skills.

Sometimes change in environment can be a good thing, and help with growth of the child. Most

children from housing projects respond in challenging way to different environments. Teachers

try to create a setting that supports the childrens learning. Although children at younger ages

will react better if the classroom environment is comfortable and homey.

In Class Meeting Variations and Adaptations they talked about classroom meetings.

These meeting can be very helpful for how to ease your childrens daily transitions. Class

meetings have 4 components, which are opening, acknowledgments, problem solving, and

closing. Class meetings are also stepping stones for children to begin to depend less on adults

and to show respect for others. There are also 3 different types of class meetings, which is dual
TRADE PUBLICATION PAPER 4

language learners (DDLs), mini meetings, and laughter meetings. The DDL children love

knowing that these meetings can be a great way of learning new language skills. This is also a

wonderful opportunity for the DDLs children to share their culture with their classmates.

Children are more likely to learn different languages when they are motivated to use it. When

you need to address an issue, but it might make the children get embarrassed, thats when it is

time for a mini meeting. In mini meetings make sure the child takes responsibility for the

problem solving process. Laughter meetings are for coming together to play and laugh. This is a

good way to take a break from all the hard work and stress in the classroom. Meetings like this

can even bring a DDL student to begin talking with classmates in English.

Even though I am going to teach students who are in 4th grade, I will still need to

supervise closely to ensure the childrens safety and health. I want to be able to create a

classroom setting that encourages children to engage and participate in the process of their own

learning. Your classroom is like your home away from home; youre always going to be there

improving. I believe class meetings help create a safe environment and can transform the

students into young creative positive learners. Sometimes it is okay to not know the answer to

everything, but it is important is that the children understand how to go about solving a problem

in the right way. I know that parents will ask me to do something thats conflicting to my

professional knowledge, but I will stick to my beliefs and professional duties. When I am a

teacher I will give priority to my ethical responsibilities and to the child. I think a combination of

setting the tone in a class, preventing behavior problems with interesting and engaging

curriculums and effectively including all students in the classroom so that their needs are met.

Having the right environment for all students to learn is my major goal of applying a good

classroom environment; without it the students would not be able to learn.

TRADE PUBLICATION PAPER 5

References

Feeney, S., & Freeman, N. K. (2014). Reporting Classroom Behavior. YC: Young Children,

69(4), 100-104.

Hancock, C. L., & Carter, D. R. (2016). Building Environments That Encourage Positive

Behavior. YC: Young Children, 71(1), 66-73.

Koralek, D. (2013). Environments That Engage and Inspire Young Learners. YC: Young

Children, 68(4), 6-7.

Vance, E. (2013). Class Meeting Variations and Adaptations. YC: Young Children, 68(5), 42-45.