Classroom Structure
Students’ ability to learn is affected by various factors, one of them being the classroom structure. A classroom for special needs students requires a good classroom structure. A classroom structure can have either a positive or a negative effect on the students. Learning can be affected positively if specific ways of structuring the class are chosen (Tobias, 2020). The first way structuring a classroom is to set up tables, carpeted areas, and learning centers for learning activities. Learning centers and seeks for individual work should be set up. The learning is aiming at students working together and also working alone.
Color should get used to creating the mood for learning. For energy and excitement, bold colors such as yellow and orange can get used. For a calm setting, colors such as blue and green are calming. Education materials, such as bulletin boards, posters, and pictures, can be posted. It is also possible to create connections with the outside world in the classroom. It can get done by adding plants or a class pet. The strategies for structuring the classroom will positively impact the students.
Class Period Structure
Timing is everything in the classroom. Developing a reasonable class period depends on how it is structured. The way a class period is structured also affects the student’s retention and understanding. For a class period to be effective, it has to be structured well. In the first ten minutes, the teacher should aim at attracting the attention of students. Students enter a classroom with their attention divided (Whitten, Esteves, & Woodrow, 2020). Then ask a few questions about today’s topic. At the end of the lesson, the teacher should return to the problem to clarify the answer. The class should also begin by recapping what was in the previous study. The process helps to ensure that students remember the information.
Students should get given short writing exercises to help them focus. The teachers can collect the answers or walk around to ensure that it is complete. It helps to ensure that the students are actively engaged in the class. Most students have short attention spans. The teacher should aim at doing the class activities for a shorter time. Students are more involved in the first minutes of the lesson. The teacher should do a recap at the end of the course. It should last for at least ten minutes. Wrapping up the assessment helps the student to understand the purpose of the information.
Strategies for Students Needs
In order to meet the needs of English students, the following strategies can get applied. Instructions should be more visual than just spoken. It will help students to grasp concepts much better. The students need to be engaged, and group work is an excellent strategy for this. A less-teacher-led class and a more group class will help the students learn much better. The English language needs a lot of practice. (Whitten, Esteves, & Woodrow, 2020). Sentence frames are very useful in helping the students to structure speech. The process should be consistent for the students to understand. A math teacher should regularly give the students tests on a topic that they find difficult. Practice will help them become better at issue.
A teacher should be creative and use online tools to help them meet the student’s needs. A lot of websites and apps are supporting learning activities. Online tools offer various opportunities, such as improving learning skills from the beginning to advanced levels. Online tools are a practical option for extra practice.
Classroom Aide Strategies
When working with a classroom aide, some strategies need to get followed to meet the student’s needs. An instruction manual should be available to help the classroom aide. The manual is a starting point to help me at a good starting point (Class Profile). The manual should contain classroom rules and schedules, classroom management techniques, and procedures. The manual also includes the responsibilities of the classroom aide. The classroom aide will be able to understand their role better.
A teacher’s aide is an excellent help in the classroom. The main tasks and responsibilities should remain with the teacher. They include activities such as student discipline, lesson planning, and lesson delivery. The aide’s central role is to add value and reinforcement in the classroom but not to take the teacher’s role. Each function should be well defined to be able to meet the students’ needs.
References
Class profile
Tobias, J. M. (2020). The Evolution of Classroom Structure. Mathematics Teacher: Learning and Teaching PK-12, 113(2), 170-171.
Whitten, E., Esteves, K. J., & Woodrow, A. (2020). RTI Success: Proven tools and strategies for schools and classrooms. Free Spirit Publishing.