My students need comfortable nooks in our classroom to get lost in their reading. I want to provide a wide variety of novels, 3 lamps for soft lighting, and a set of five stools for discussion circles.
"Reading gives us somewhere to go when we have to stay where we are." Mason Cooley
While in my classroom of language arts, I want to provide the books, the comfort spots, and the discussion areas to create the perfect atmosphere for my 7th graders to go 'somewhere' while engrossed in their reading.
My middle school is a buzz of innovation and progressive teaching styles keeping in mind the most important clients, our students.
With over 800 boys and girls, we strive to provide an environment where the growth mindset is at the forefront and as their teachers we act as supporters, nurturers, guides, and cheerleaders. We have a personalized learning philosophy that has changed the way we look at our teaching styles and Reader's and Writer's Workshop has been the catalyst for our language arts department. Workshop gives the teacher and student the ability to have a quick group lesson, active engagement with peers, and then time to confer on a personalized basis. This allows all students to work and push themselves to a new level at the appropriate times. I have noticed a rejuvenation in the way students view reading and writing not as a chore but viewing the two as a method to use on their way to becoming authors, literature evaluators, critics, editors, etc...
My Project
In our numerous workshop training sessions, we as teachers learned that space in a room is very important to students. Sitting in rows and in desks with fluorescent lights shining down upon them is not advantageous for reading and writing. So, with the new novels I am asking for along with the soft lamp lighting and various seating option ideas, I will be able to create spaces of comfort, imagination, conversation, and stimulate the best environment for each and every student in my room.
What I'm asking for will improve the learning environment in my classroom for all the varying degrees of readers and writers.
I want my students to look at genres they're interested in and have numerous choices at appropriate levels. I'm anxious to observe students share with others about what they are reading and writing in the various discussion areas. Finally, I want students looking forward to coming to my room because it's inviting and stimulates a creative space for the growth mindset.
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