Classroom Environment Flashcards
(13 cards)
Abraham Maslow
theorist known for developing Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Autonomy
student’s ability to self-govern or self-motivate
Student Engagement
the level of attention and interest students demonstrate while learning
Read the information below and answer the questions that follow:
Ms. Johnson will be starting her first year as a 6th-grade teacher at Plainfield Middle School this fall. In preparation for the upcoming year, she reads through the school’s mission statement and finds the following: “Plainfield Middle School believes it is important for children to be involved and enthusiastic participants in their education. Thus, we encourage students to exercise curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity in an active, collaborative learning environment. Our teachers demonstrate expertise in their fields and a passion for lifelong learning.”
Ms. Johnson has been given her own classroom and wants to ensure that the classroom setup promotes active, collaborative learning, as described in the school mission statement. Which of the following classroom setups would be most appropriate?
a wall-facing desks (computer room style)
b rows and columns
c tables that form small groups
d stadium-style seating
correct
Option c is the correct answer.
Explanation:
A classroom setup with tables forming small groups maximizes students’ opportunities for interaction and discussion. It is ideal for active, collaborative learning.
Mr. Ramirez has overheard several students complain about the current instructional activity. One student said to another, “I am just bored with stuff. I don’t understand why it’s important and I don’t care to know.” Mr. Ramirez admits to himself that he has the same feelings toward the material and decides to get through the instructional unit as quickly as possible. Of the following, what is the most likely cause of the students’ lack of interest in the material?
a Mr. Ramirez has not presented the material in a coherent manner and students have become confused about the purpose and expectation of the instructional activities.
b Mr. Ramirez has not adequately planned the instructional unit and the activities do not relate to the instructional goals or past instructional units.
c Mr. Ramirez has not been able to relate the instructional material to the students’ past experiences and the students are having trouble understanding the instructional activities.
d Mr. Ramirez does not exhibit an excitement and enthusiasm for the material and his students have adopted his attitude towards the instructional activities.
correct
Option d is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Communicating enthusiasm about the material is important in teaching. If the teacher is not excited about the subject matter, it is very unlikely that the students will be excited. Mr. Ramirez has communicated to his students, through his apathy, that the material is not important and is not worth learning.
Which of the following scenarios would fall under Maslow’s level of belonging and love needs?
a a teenager working a part-time job to pay for his own gas and phone bill
b a teenager establishing his first relationship with a girlfriend
c a teenager eating his favorite meal
d a teenager passing a difficult exam he studied extensively for
correct
Option b is the correct answer.
Explanation:
A romantic relationship falls under Maslow’s belonging and love needs.
Mr. Shaf is known as a great technical building teacher at Pawnee High School. He has decades of experience, and his knowledge surpasses any other instructors in the district. He is known as a difficult teacher and students claim that he does not like for students to ask questions. A new assistant principal (AP) reviews one of his classes and states that he needs to improve his listening skills with students and should evaluate the way he responds to questions. This critique most likely means:
a the new AP is trying to help Mr. Shaf improve the climate of the classroom to allow students to feel emotionally safe enough to ask questions and improve their access to learning.
b the new AP is trying to make Mr. Shaf understand that he is not the person in charge and should fear the new reviewer.
c the new AP thinks he can teach the classes better than Mr. Shaf.
d the new AP does not think Mr. Shaf should be a teacher anymore because he is old and unable to change.
correct
Option a is the correct answer.
Explanation:
It is important for students to feel safe both physically and emotionally in order for them to be able to learn new concepts.
A first-grade teacher would like to encourage positive character traits, such as respect, honesty, and empathy, in their students. Which of the following strategies would be an effective indirect instructional strategy to use given this objective?
a making a conscious effort to model and exhibit these character traits on a regular basis
b rewarding students who exhibit the desired character traits
c selecting a weekly character trait to focus on by reading a book and completing relevant activities
d leading a class discussion about the desired character traits
correct
Option a is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Modeling appropriate behavior is one of the most effective ways that teachers can promote desired behaviors in their students. This would be an indirect instructional approach because the teacher is showing students how to behave without directly instructing them in the traits or how to exhibit them in the classroom.
A second-grade teacher is trying to build positive relationships with each of her students during the first week of school. Which of the following is the most effective way to do this?
a Decorate her classroom with warm and inviting tones and natural lighting.
b Share with students some of her personal interests and information about her family.
c Briefly speak one-on-one with each student during the first two days of school, discussing their interests.
d Refrain from using too many consequences during the first week of school.
correct
Option c is the correct answer.
Explanation:
This will help the teacher establish and build positive relationships with each student.
Wilmer Middle School has invited more parent volunteers to help the classroom teachers. By increasing the number of parent volunteers present in the school’s classrooms, the school is most likely to achieve which of the following?
a create a greater awareness in the school community to help achieve important student goals
b enhance the interest of students and increase their willingness to collaborate
c increase classroom management and the students’ abilities to work productively in groups
d reduce the workload of the teachers and allow a more efficient use of class time
correct
Option a is the correct answer.
Explanation:
By increasing the number of parents exposed to school activities, it is likely to promote parent participation in school activities and create a greater awareness in the community at large.
Eighth-grade students are about to engage in a peer-assessment activity prior to completion of a summative project. Which of the following would be the best tool for the teacher to use to help ensure positive student interactions during this activity?
a reminding students prior to the start of the activity to be kind to each other
b encouraging students to only provide positive feedback
c providing sentence frames for constructive feedback
d carefully monitoring student interactions and intervening when necessary
Option c is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Providing students with ideas for how to word their feedback can be a very helpful tool for students at any age. A list of sentence frames might include “I noticed that you ___. I wonder if you could add ___.” or “Your ____ really drew me in. Could you add more detail to _____.” This type of tool helps students understand how to put their ideas into words in constructive ways and helps them avoid general feedback that may be less helpful, such as “I thought it was really good!”
Mr. Jolly wants to create a positive climate for his classroom. Which of the following actions would best promote a positive classroom climate?
a
applying the same academic goals for all of his students
b
greeting each student as they enter the classroom
c
creating lessons that are easy for his students to complete
d
allowing his students to choose the instructional activity for the day
correct
Option b is the correct answer.
Explanation:
This is the best answer option, as it allows Mr. Jolly to make one-on-one contact with his students.
Which of the following is a factor in students from diverse cultural backgrounds’ education that is not influenced by a teacher’s own cultural values, beliefs, and attitudes?
a standards and curriculum
b interactions with parents
c classroom management style
d teaching style
Option a is the correct answer.
Explanation:
Learning standards and curriculum for each grade level are typically mandated by the state and school district. These factors of education are not affected by a teacher’s cultural beliefs.
