Learning Environment: Dimension 3.3
Dimension 3.3 Classroom Culture:
The teacher leads a mutually respectful and collaborative class of actively engaged learners.
Clarifying Statement:
This dimension focused on what the teacher does to establish a classroom culture that is mutually respectful, collaborative and consistently represented by students who are authentically engaged in learning, and social-emotional needs are met.
Standards Basis:
Standards Basis: 1E, 1F, 3B, 4C, 4D, 5A, 5B, 5D
Possible Sources of EvidencePossible Sources of Evidence:
- Conferences and Conversations with the Teacher
- Formal Observations/ Walkthroughs
- Classroom Artifacts
- Analysis of Student Data
-
T-TESS Alignment to Practice
- Teachers lead and maintain classrooms where all students are actively engaged in learning as evident through their level of motivation and on-task behaviors.
- Teachers maintain a culture that is based on high expectations for student performance and encourages students to be self-motivated, taking responsibility for their own learning.
- All interactions within and outside the classroom demonstrate caring and respect for others.
- Respectful relationships are evident with all classroom interactions, e.g., teacher to student and student to student, where collaboration is encouraged, structured, and used to build relationships at all levels.
-
Key Questions
- How are students empowered and expected to support a positive classroom culture?
- How does everyone in the classroom exhibit patience and respect with peers?
- What opportunities are there for students to collaborate and model expected cultural norms?
- How does the culture support all students feeling comfortable sharing their thoughts, feelings and concerns with others, including communication when there are internal struggles?
Distinguished
- Consistently engages all students with relevant, meaningful learning based on their interests and abilities to create a positive rapport amongst students.
- Students collaborate positively and encourage each other’s efforts and achievements.
Accomplished
Proficient
- Engages all students in relevant, meaningful learning.
- Students work respectfully individually and in groups.
Developing
- Establishes a learning environment where most students are engaged in the curriculum.
- Students are sometimes disrespectful of each other.
Improvement Needed
- Establishes a learning environment where few students are engaged in the curriculum.
- Students are disrespectful of each other and of the teacher.
Student-Centered Actions
Teacher-Center Actions
