Domain 2: The Classroom Environment Domain two focuses on creating a healthy environment for teacher's and student's mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing. This framework address what steps a teacher can take in their classroom to make it a positive learning environment, such as routines and the way they organize their furniture.
Domain 2a: Creating An Environment of Respect and Rapport
Teachers need to create a effective and efficient classroom environment for the teacher and students. Teachers understand a positive classroom environment will help students flourish in their learning. In a positive classroom setting, teachers will be respected and students enjoy learning the provided content. Teachers need to make sure students feel valued, appreciated, and safe in their classroom. Teachers should encourage students in their learning to take risks and power through challenges. Educators realize the importance of helping students create healthy relationships with their peers and also with themselves. A teachers passion for the content is contagious. When the teacher is passionate about the subject, the students will begin to reciprocate that passion as well. It is important for the teachers interactions with students to be genuine and real. Students may share personal information about their life. Teachers will encourage relationships between the students that is respectful and positive. Teachers can create this environment by having students write an encouraging note to one another, have to students participate in whole class games, or writing positive notes to their students.
Domain 2b: Establish a Culture for Learning
The classroom environment that is set by the teacher and the student. This environment should reflect work that is valued by both the teacher and the students. Students are expected and need to participate in class, value the content that is being taught, and set expectations for themselves. Students should take pride in their work and will do their best on their assignments. Students are actively involved in learning the content and take initiative in their learning. The teacher is aware of teachable moments and take advantage of these movements. The teacher has an endpoint in each lesson and will get students to that point. Teachers encourage students to challenge themselves and help guide them through difficulties that arise.
Domain 2c: Managing Classroom Procedures
To have a smooth functioning classroom, teachers must implement high levels of student engagement and good instruction. Teacher will establish smooth and efficient routine and will make sure procedures are smoothly operated and run efficiently. Teachers know they are running an efficiently when noninstructional tasks are completely done, transition actives run smoothly, and teachers know how to manage time and materials to maximize instructional time. Teachers will help their students develop skills that help them work efficiently in groups that causes little supervision from the teacher. Teachers are aware that in order to run a classroom smoothly, they need to have the required materials prepare before the lesson. Teachers must know how to distribute and collect materials with very little distribution so class time runs smooth. Teachers know they are running their class smoothly when students ca perform tasks with little instruction, and transition between activities run smoothly.
Domain 2d: Managing Student Behavior
When a teacher creates a classroom environment that is productive and business like, students are able to engage with the content. In a productive classroom, students have clear understanding of what is expected of them. Students know what is expected from them and what is also expected from classmates. Well-rounded educators know that well-behaved students is a product of the students engagement of the content. Teachers are always monitoring the classroom and aware of how the students are behaving. They are aware when they need to circle back to content in the lesson to help the students have a better grasp of the material or to regain their students attention. When a student is misbehaving, teachers try to figure out what is causing this behavior and how to respectfully respond to their behavior. Teachers can tell their classroom is being managed well when there is little misbehavior, their is a professional and healthy relationship between the teachers and students, and the teacher reinforce positive behavior.
Domain 2e: Organizing Physical Space
Creating a classroom environment that is safe for the teacher and the students is very important. When teachers are organizing the physical space of the classroom, they need to decide how they are going to use the materials, space, or furniture that will create a productive classroom environment. When teachers are considering how to arrange the furniture, they need to keep in mind the possibility of having students with disabilities and may have trouble maneuvering around the classroom. A classroom needs to make all students of different backgrounds feel safe and welcomed. When creating a classroom environment, teachers need to consider how the space is going to make students feel safe physically, mentally, and emotionally. A classroom environment should feel friendly and inviting to students and their families. The materials within the classroom should be easily accessible and organized in a fashion that makes sense.