Teach Secondary 13.5

CLOSE-UP ON… CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENTS EDCARLINISADEPUTYHEADTEACHERATASCOTTISHSECONDARYSCHOOL,HAVING WORKED INEDUCATIONFOR15YEARSANDHELDTEACHINGROLESATSCHOOLS IN NORTHERNIRELANDANDENGLAND An organised and tidy classroom is more than just a neat space; it’s a reflection of high standards and professionalism. When students walk into a well-organised room, they can sense that learning is taken seriously. This kind of environment fosters respect and a positive attitude toward schoolwork. It also reduces distractions, allowing students to focus on their tasks, and enhances their ability to learn. LEARNING THROUGH VISUALS Posters and subject- relevant materials should dress the walls, promoting an atmosphere of learning. Displaying what students will learn and why it’s relevant will help them see the purpose behind their learning. Another powerful tool is to include lots of student work on the walls, which not only celebrates their achievements, but also links the quality and success of said work to National Curriculum outcomes, providing clear, achievable goals. BRAIN BREAKS Incorporating brain break materials and resources, such as board games, puzzles, magazines and books, can encourage reading and provide students with much- needed mental breaks. These kinds of resources will help you maintain a balanced classroom atmosphere, in which students can refresh and recharge before diving back into their learning. VISUAL LEARNING INTENTIONS Maintaining a visual display of daily learning intentions for your classes can build curiosity and set clear expectations. Include success criteria and models, and you’ll help your students better understand what they’re aiming for and how to achieve it – a formof transparency that can increase student motivation and engagement. GOOD LIGHTING Lighting is a crucial element in creating the right atmosphere. Just as we’ll adjust the lighting in our homes to suit our mood, the same can be done in the classroom. Dim the lights for a more relaxed atmosphere when required, and brighten themwhen you need students to be more alert. Proper lighting can enhance the learning experience, while accommodating different activities and moods. TIDYWORK AREAS Clear areas, where students can keep their work stored in a neat and tidy fashion, are essential. Ensuring students know where their materials are and can access them easily will reduce chaos and enhance their ability to focus on their learning. The ability to stay organised is itself a valuable life skill, and will contribute further to maintaining a structured learning environment. DO THIS ASSUMPTIVE CLOSE Exercise better class control with these tips fromRobin Launder... Salespeople will often make use of something called the ‘assumptive close’ technique to secure a sale. Put simply, this refers to the way in which a salesperson intentionally assumes that the customer wants the product that is being sold: “ Just pass me your credit card and I’ll get the paperwork ready... ” Teachers can deploy a similar technique with respect to their students – except it’s not their credit card we want, but a specific behaviour. For example: “ Sam, I know that you’re keen to go through your homework with me, so I’ll see you at first break in my classroom. ” “ Lee, I know that you’re keen to impress me with your behaviour, so put your pen down, sit up straight and eyes on me. ” The assumptive close technique will often prove to be more effective than direct instruction, since it assumes – and therefore prompts – a positive response. Robin Launder is a behaviour management consultant and speaker; find more tips in his weekly Better Behaviour online course – for more details, visit behaviourbuddy.co.uk 92 teachwire.net/secondary