An Elementary Classroom For All

 

The purpose of this post is to help give direction to future teachers and current teachers on how to make sure their classroom is inclusive to all diversities. It is important to remember that all students have the right to learn and have the right to have a classroom that fits their needs mentally, emotionally, and physically. An inclusive classroom is a general education classroom place where all students learn together. I have provided an amazing link from Reading Rockets that explains what it truly means to be an inclusive classroom.  https://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/inclusive-classrooms#:~:text=An%20inclusive%20classroom%20is%20a,communication%20needs%20of%20all%20students.

There are several simple steps to ensure your classroom is a safe and comfortable learning space for all. And I don't just mean comfortable seating options, although those are helpful. 

• Set some classroom norms with your students. Have them involved in the process of establishing these norms so everyone can feel heard and assured that what they need and want matters to you. By doing this first step you are setting the stage for every student to have a great and productive year with you and their fellow students.
• Be sure to revisit your established norms as the year progresses because students' needs and wants may have changed.
• Try to deliver your lessons in a variety of ways, this allows for more retention of your lesson with all of your students, by providing different ways of learning you are including all of your students and helping them become their best version of themselves.
• Be sure to choose your literature carefully, you want to be sure to choose literature that is relevant, and that exposes your students to cultures, disabilities, STEAM, and role models that will help your students develop into people who are accepting and understanding.
• Make sure your in-classroom library is stocked with diverse literature, having a variety of books can spark curiosity to learn more.
• Be sure to include Social Emotional Learning in everyday lessons this will help your students develop self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are crucial for success. I have included a wonderful link provided by National University about What is Social Emotional Learning (SEL): Why It Matters https://www.nu.edu/blog/social-emotional-learning-sel-why-it-matters-for-educators/
• Create a safe place in your classroom where a student who is feeling stressed or overwhelmed can go and feel comfortable but also be within sight. adding a comfortable chair with a timer and offering journals to students who need to reflect on how they are feeling can be a great outlet.
• Be sure to model for your students, if you show them how you want them to communicate and treat others, you are more likely to get your expected standards from them (this can be as simple as not saying "boys and girls", and changing it to "students" or "friends").

These are just a few simple things that we as future educators and current educators can do to help make sure all of our students feel safe and have an environment that benefits learning for all. The best advice I can offer is to do your research, there are a tremendous amount of articles on how to ensure that your classroom is the environment that is best for all. 

References:

Guest contributor. (2018, August). Tips for Making Classrooms More Inclusive as Students Head Back To School. The Human Rights Campaign. Retrieved from: https://www.hrc.org/news/tips-for-making-classrooms-more-inclusive-as-students-head-back-to-school

Inclusive Classrooms: A Primer for Teachers. (2022, October). Reading Rockets. Retrieved from: https://www.readingrockets.org/teaching/inclusive-classrooms#:~:text=An%20inclusive%20classroom%20is%20a,communication%20needs%20of%20all%20students.

Marsh, Jeffrey. (2017, May). 7 tips for teachers on how to create a safe school environment. TED-Ed Blog.com. Retrieved from: https://blog.ed.ted.com/2017/05/01/7-top-tips-for-teachers-and-anyone-who-works-with-young-people/