Standard V:

Classroom Motivation and Management Skills

​The teacher understands individual and group motivation and behavior and creates a learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

​

       Standard five concentrates on the necessities of classroom management within an educational setting. This is something that varies depending on the classes, as well as the teacher’s preference, however it is imperative to creating a safe and functional learning environment. I decided to include an "Opening of School" essay I wrote based off of interview questions to my lead teacher, Erica Anderson, concerning how she prepares for a new year. It was a really interesting assignment, especially because I have never had the opportunity to see how a teacher approaches her classes at the beginning of the term, I have only ever been a part of the class after relationships and rules were established. A lot of the information that Erica provided me with was seemingly basic, however, it is necessary in order to establish definite boundaries between teacher and student, including what they are expected to do, and how to behave within her room.

        Finally, I included a short assignment I did that covered the different options that teachers have, including direct instruction, discovery learning, and exploring information outside of the traditional classroom in order to learn new and exciting things. This is important because classrooms should have a mix of all of these elements in order to successfully teach students. I feel that this assignment shows my understanding of what a healthy and varied classroom should consist of.



Opening of School Essay:

A New Year: Erica Anderson’s Eighth Grade



Educational Psychology Essay:

Different Approaches One Can Take in Teaching​