Creating a positive classroom ethos

This is advice from Scotland (The Highland Council, 2010) on creating a positive classroom ethos.

In my opinion, what educators mean by ethos is the way in which students, teachers, parents and any other school staff behave and treat each other in order to make a positive learning environment for all involved.

It is important because if students and teachers have negative thoughts, lack of motivation and low self esteem the learning and teaching can not be utilised to its maximum benefit. Feelings of  being inadequate and having low self esteem can have a damaging effect on a school and classrooms because pupils feel discouraged and don’t want to learn.

The whole school ethos impacts the classroom because feelings are infectious. If all school staff feel confident, have a sense of place and well being they will lead by example creating comfortable classrooms for students with positive attitudes. A whole school ethos is a set of rules which create boundaries for every one so negative behaviour can be irradiated.

The following link is a blog about classroom displays:

http://usefulwiki.com/displays/

The value and purpose of classroom display in contributing to a stimulating and safe learning environment is huge.

Students are able to use them as a learning resource, to celebrate achievement, to celebrate diversity, to promote a sense of community and belonging, to improve the environment, to provide information and to prompt feedback. Classroom displays give students more purpose to the work they are doing and they are able to compete to get ‘that space on the wall’.

Wall displays and seating arrangements have an impact on the quality of classroom learning because children are affected by their surrounding environment.  Classroom displays provide stimulation for children and can be used as a resource. Seating arrangements have an effect on how much information pupils are absorbing.

A minimalist approaches could be effective because it creates a calm, neutral environment for pupils to learn in. They are less likely to day dream or lose concentration. It is especially useful for students who have special needs because over stimulation can be damaging to them?

I think that wall displays could have a different effect according to the age range of the pupils. Younger children who have shorter concentration spans and learn easily by observation could be stimulated by lots of wall displays where as older pupils may find it to be a distraction.

Here is a list of what I consider to be five important factors in creating a positive classroom ethos:

Classroom displays – A happy medium, not too much and not too little. The pupils should contribute to the displays.

Seating arrangements – Seating arrangements should be flexible so they can be moved at any time for different activities. I think students should sit on ‘island’ tables so they can discuss and confer. All pupils must be facing the teacher.

A good relationship with the teacher – The teacher must have a good relationship with the students and vice versa so students feel relaxed and confident.

Classroom contracts – It is beneficial for pupils to be involved in the decision making process and they have a clear idea of what is expected of the teacher and themselves. It is mutually agreeable.

Clean and tidy organised rooms – Clutter and mess can be very distracting for the teacher and students so it is best that the classroom is clean, tidy and well organise for accessing computers, books and other materials.