2a: Creating an Environment of Respect and Rapport
2b: Establishing a Culture for Learning
2c: Managing Classroom Procedures
2d: Managing Student Behavior
2e: Organizing Physical Space
Description of Domain Whereas Domain 1 focuses on planning and preparing lessons, Domain 2 measures the desired reactions from the students and stresses the importance of building a positive atmosphere in the classroom. This starts by modeling appropriate, respectful behavior towards everyone. Teachers can genuinely listen to what others have to say, use body language when addressing people, understand their students' cultural backgrounds, and encourage all students, even if they make mistakes. Children like to imitate others, so teachers need to keep their own attitudes in check. Additionally, they must approach bullying in a way that maintains respect for everyone and promotes positive peer relationships. While monitoring the social aspects of the classroom, teachers should also note the overall attitude towards learning. Along with setting high expectations, educators must possess a strong sense of efficacy that they can pass on to students. When students feel like they can improve and learn new things, they begin to care and take more pride in their work. These high expectations also extend to setting behavioral standards. Teachers must demonstrate clear control of their class in a way that is not intimidating. Consistency is key! The skill of smoothly dealing with behavioral problems while continuing the lesson can benefit the class and prevent further distractions, helping to create smooth transitions in the content as well. When a teacher considers the multiple factors that play a part in developing a healthy atmosphere for the students, they can easily neglect organizing their physical space in a creative way. However, classrooms should be safe and adaptable to the learning style of particular lesson. Every decision made dealing with classroom set-up should be determined with the students in mind, allowing for space to move around and accommodating the needs of everyone. By creating an atmosphere where students feel comfortable socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually, teachers can strengthen the resolve of their students to work hard and challenge themselves.
How to Demonstrate Domain 2 in the Classroom
You can hold regular conferences with each student to continually check on his/her emotional well-being and determine exactly what he/she needs from you as the teacher.
By displaying student work, you can instill pride in the children and encourage them to put extra effort into learning.
Relate each part of your lesson to the next activity to create smooth transitions in between concepts.
Recruit your students' help to create classroom rules for behavior and learning. This way, they will feel more motivated to follow the standards that they set.
Incorporate different varieties of seating in the classroom to adapt to the learners' needs and to demonstrate flexibility in understanding that each child learns differently.