Scott Church- What every 2nd Grade Teacher Needs to Know

The book I chose to read was titles, What Every 2^nd Grade Teacher needs to Know. As a future educator I found this book to be extremely helpful, as it provided me with many ideas and resources. In my upcoming practicum block, I will be teaching a grade 2/3 class. I believe this book will definitely help me out with classroom setup, schedules and routines, and building community in the classroom. It has also provided me with many resources including books, board games, and websites for second graders.

As a beginner teacher, classroom setup is one area where I found this book to be helpful. According to the text, “second graders need a well-designed, stable classroom where they don’t have to worry about where they’ll sit, where things are, or whether they’ll be able to find what they need’’(p.11). After my first practicum experience I understand the importance to give your students the feeling of comfort and security in the classroom. It is also crucial that teachers keep in mind their students need for structure and stability. The book mentions the importance of creating a temporary meeting area for the students. This is a good place to run morning meeting, or discuss important topics with students.

One suggestion from the book is to rotate seating arrangements. This is one area that my CT didn't do in my first practicum block, that I feel would have been beneficial for the class. “Changing seating every few weeks stretches the children to interact with many classmates, not just their preferred friend.” (pg. 13). Teachers should try to have community supplies only for their students. Rather than having students bring in their own supplies, you might want to try having classroom supplies that all students share. I believe this will help give students a sense that the classroom belongs to everyone!

Based on the readings, it is also ideal to separate supplies according to how frequently you use them. It is a good idea to keep a bin at the center of each table group with the essential supplies such as; pencils, erasers, crayons, and colored pencils. Setting up a classroom with care and thought for your students will help benefit them in the long run. Teachers should try to keep a well ordered, simple room, with displays and supplies that make them feel valued and welcomed.

At the grade two level there is a high need for structure and stability. According to Smith (2005), “second graders do best when their teachers stick to a predictable schedule and lay out exactly what the children need to do to succeed at every routine activity across that schedule”. First it is important to consider how they learn best. Young students are very curious and benefit from the opportunity to explore topics that interest them. Although it is ideal to stick to a schedule, students should have some free time to engage in activities that interest them. The second step is to list the components of the day. Teachers can accomplish this by listing both the academic and social components of an average day. The third step is to sketch out time slots for each component.

As a teacher it is your responsibility to help each student feel safe, secure, and happy, by teaching them how you want classroom routines to look and sound. The book suggests teachers to teach classroom routines through interactive modeling. This teaching practice “breaks routines down into small parts and gives students multiple opportunities to observe, discuss, and try each behavior or skill.”(pg.35). I found this to be extremely beneficial in my first practicum block. The 2/3 class I taught were very dependent on routines and behaved better when they had a chance to observe and discuss behavior. There are also many other suggestions to help teachers create successful Interactive Modelling. Teachers should;

- Be clear about how they want things done

- Keep expectations appropriate

-Give students plenty of practice

- Reinforce success often

The book also mentions that by creating and sticking to a predictable schedule that fits your student’s needs, can give them a good measure of safety and security. Also by taking time to teach classroom routines and behaviors further, will add to children’s sense of comfort and stability.

The final chapter that I found to be very insightful was on building community. I believe this is a crucial role of the teacher to make students feel safely connected to their teachers and classmates. The book outlines that “In a safe classroom community, all children feel known, cared for, appreciated, and important to the group. When we help children create such a community, we free them to be playful and to take risks-both essential conditions to learning.” (pg.53)

Building a classroom community starts from day one. It is essential that the teacher has the students engaged in many activities and games that help children learn classmate’s names. As teachers it is our job to tell students that we value having a safe, respectful community and that we want them to value it too. There are specific ways teachers can do so.

11)      Speak to all children in the same way

By treating all students with kindness and respect, models what behavior is expected of our students.

22)      Recognize positives in the whole class

Congratulate the class as a whole instead of singling out individuals. This can help students work together to achieve the same goal.

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33)      Get to know each child as well as you can

By taking the time to ask each student about their life, shows you value each student in the class. This will help build strong positive relationships between the teacher and students.