Learning Environments
& Strategies
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| Jane E. Tuitt Elementary (My alma mater) |
Learning environments should differ as we all have different
norms, values, religions, and cultures. A developmentally appropriate learning
environment should also illustrate aspects of all those included within the
learning environment, which would primarily be its students. How many of us can
truly say that the learning environment we have created for our students or
even our children are sincerely tailored to suit their developmental levels,
needs, and interests? I have seen classrooms that mirror all of the children
and families connected with it, and unfortunately I have seen those that mirror
prison cell walls (bland white with a few pictures scattered around the room).
Classrooms that illustrate culture, facilitate developmentally appropriate
practice through engaging activities and learning areas, and showcases content
learned throughout different content areas are ideal learning environment and
are necessary in this day and age.
The learning environment where I felt the most successful
was in elementary school, specifically my intermediate classes. Unlike most I
was lucky enough to have a great teacher twice as she switched from third grade
to fifth just in time for my class. I would personally say that my reason for
feeling the most successful within this learning environment is because the
school collaborated with the community to ensure that many programs and
initiatives were in place for students to engage in and interact with other
students. Such initiatives included but weren’t limited to inter school/
neighborhood basketball leagues, essay writing competitions on various national
and local initiatives (red ribbon/drug fee, laws of life, etc.), art
competitions, and others alike. Other reasons I felt successful within this
environment was because I it facilitated and encouraged reading in many ways;
reading was used for extra credit points as well as a past time, which
reinforced my love for reading cultivated at home.
If I had to label my prior learning environment where I had
felt the most successful I would say that it would probably mirror the head
starts now public standards as it was inclusive as well as diverse and learning
objectives were primarily academic with some focus on collaborating with
families and the community. Many times we assume that students are successful
in academic so they are elsewhere also when they may need guidance, as an
advocate for children it is a teachers’ job to ensure all needs are being met
and do whatever possible to attribute to such; in many cases referrals to
different agencies and organizations are greatly appreciated and helpful. I
would create a classroom environment that is both engaging and learning
friendly by creating learning stations within the classroom and in the outdoor
areas that with facilitate opportunities of each child to grow at their own
paces and explore their interests. In this respect my students will too be able
to be engaged in their favorite past times while exploring their interests in
the name of learning, because when children learn through play they learn to
enjoy learning.
