Classroom Essayist

Classroom: A Place of Learning

       According to Joseph Barrion's study, a conducive classroom environment refers to the mood and atmosphere inside of a class that motivates students to participate actively in learning and to be engaged in classroom activities. Creating a conducive environment can be a combination of good teaching skills, rapport between the teacher and students, appropriate behavior among students and strategic use of incentives and disincentives for good and poor behavior. Maintaining the proper environment is the challenge because classrooms are dynamic -- from moment to moment the atmosphere changes.

          This is true!

          I also believe that a classroom is must not only be conducive to learning, it must also pleasing to pupils' eyes. 

          But what are pleasing to their eyes? 

          

          Like in my classroom, I always put something about me in it. I display my sea shell collection. My pupils love them. They ask questions about it. It is Science. So, they also learn from that.

          

          I also display in my Reading Corner the big book, I made when I was studying Education. They read it. They learn from it. 

          Artworks can also be an adornment in a classroom, so that I will add curiosity to the children. "What is that, Teacher?" "Why do you glued them in a piece of wood?" That is curiosity. 

          Of course, I have to reply. I will relate them the story of how I came up of collecting pencils---- used and found ones.  Then, it will end up in a storytelling.

          "Class, I have been a poor pupil before like most of you, who has no enough money to buy pencil as often as rich kids do. I just have one pencil, one at a time. So, I have to pick up every lost pencil or to get in a trash bin those pencils, worn off by the former owner. Until, I grew up with a high regard to every pencil because I consider it as a representation of the pupil." 

           Then, I will tell them that every pencil stuck in the wood has its own characteristic just like everyone of them. A short one with an almost unused eraser is a careful and brilliant pupil. 

           Later, I will say: "Show me your pencil and I will tell you who you are."

           In a simple display or work of art, a discussion is made in an instant. Moral value is also inculcated, that somehow will affect their eternity.

           Artwork is indeed a great piece to attract attention. Hence, my classroom is like an exhibit of visual arts. Paper mache' figures are displayed. Pupils will surely ask me how to make it. Then, demonstration will come next. Learning is fun! Learning new things in a classroom motivates learners. I also use it as a reward. If they get high scores, I will teach them how to make paper mache' figures. That's arts! 

          Another art of teaching, isn't it? 

          Arts are unlimited. 

          Rocks can also be point of attraction. I love using rocks as paper weights. Since, I collect rocks, I also like using them in my classroom. Science teachers and pupils will appreciate it. There will always a curios pupil who will raise a query about it. Learning follows.

          Learning is not just knowing the subject matter or the lesson, it is also having the knowledge of something around the classroom. It is infinite. It is, therefore, tiring and stressful to others. However, potted plants if put in the classroom-- on the teacher's table, on the cabinet or wherever, pupils will surely get advantage from them.  They lessen stress and anxiety. Scientifically speaking, it absorbs carbon dioxide. For me, it alleviates my sadness, stress and ill-feeling. In others words, having a potted plants inside the classroom creates a wonderful mood for learning. 

           Care-taking a plant in the classroom shows that a teacher is capable of loving his pupils. He has not just a green thumb, he also has a caring heart. 

           There are so many ways to make a classroom conducive to learning. There are, as well, many ways to decorate a classroom. Artistry is a tool. The ways I enumerated will not only beautify our classroom, but can also inspire learners to create and innovate things. They will also gain focus on studies, not in bullying or doing disturbances. 

           These are just unsolicited advice. Each one of us can innovate. Making a classroom as a place of learning is a teacher's choice.