Blog #3

When did a student feel safe and loved? 
Something I have LOVED about my service learning teacher is that the students feel safe to answer questions. I have noticed a couple times when the student gave the incorrect answer. Ms. Booth didn't just say "wrong, try again." She asked the students how they came to the conclusion and then she even would give and example of how she can understand how they would have gotten that answer. She then leads the students to figure out the correct answer. 

What clear routines are established in the classroom?  How do they support a productive learning environment?
In my service learning classroom, they have a routine called "give me 5" (I think it is a school wide routine). When the teacher says "give me 5" The students have 5 seconds to manage their bodies, put their eyes on the teacher, voices off, ears are listening, and are ready to move on to the next thing.  The students know the routine but Ms. Booth will refer to the classroom poster they have when they don't make it in time and they review the standard and what she expects in the class. This allows the students to manage themselves, it prepares them to listen and to learn. 

What does the cooperative teacher do to establish a positive relationship with each student?
Each morning the class has a classroom meeting. She has a time where they greet each other (each day they have a new creative way) she participates in the exercise and takes time to talk to her students individually. Then she listens to how they are doing and engages in conversation. Also just as I said under question one. When students answer incorrect she uses that time to positively build a relationship with the students.