CLIP 1: All Clips Overview for Classroom Climate
[Sally Schmitt - 6th Grade Social Studies Teacher]
I think that I try to get to know from day one, each one of the students and get to know their whole person and where their strengths and weaknesses are. And then, I really think that they all have different talents and gifts to give to their classmates. I kind of accentuate where they are positive and make them feel confidant in what they do and then they are willing to take risks and not be afraid to fail or to not to do so well in some things when they know that they have other talents.
The one thing I love about children is that they know the difference if somebody is sincere or not. I think that if you respect them and they see that, they feel that and they know that you care about them, they will do anything for you. This class that I have this year of 18 or 19 boys, I have to correct them, but they never really take it personally. It's okay because they know that I think so much about them that I'm just trying to help them to be the best they can be in every area.
I usually go to their sports games. They like that. Sixth grade they aren't too cool yet. They get excited if their teacher comes. They do like that, and I get a lot of feed back. We usually do a play and they look forward to that. There is definitely all the different little projects that we do. I think when you interact there is a closeness or bonding, but it does help in the teaching atmosphere, too.