User:Meg.Sully2555/Responsive Classroom

Responsive Classroom is one method of teaching developed by classroom teachers in 1981 and supported by independent research in urban, rural and suburban schools nationwide. Those who follow responsive classroom believe that how children interact with one another is equally as important as what they are learning in school. "Social skills such as cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy and self-control are essential to children's academic and social success, and it is emphasized that the teaching of these skills, along with academics throughout the school day. (Charney 413) One will often find posters of the phrase "C.A.R.E.S" posted along the walls of Responsive Classroom schools. Responsive classroom schools also celebrate a safe school community. This method is used within the classroom and school wide to build a cohesive experience for children to learn and grow.

Guiding Principles

 * The social curriculum is as important as the academic material.


 * How children learn is as important as what they learn.


 * The greatest cognitive growth occurs through social interaction.


 * There is a specific set of social skills that children need in order to be successful socially and academically.


 * Knowing the children we teach individually, culturally, and developmentally is as important as the content we teach.


 * Knowing the parents of the children we teach is as important as knowing the children.


 * How the adults at the school work together to accomplish their mission is as important as individual competence.

Classroom Practices
Morning Meeting is where the class comes together as a group to say hello, share updates and get ready for the day ahead.

Rule Creation is where rules are created as a class to help all students learn and grow safely.

Interactive Modeling using modeling to teach students expected behaviors which they may think about internally while watching the teacher model.

Positive Teacher Language the word and tone of the teacher which when used correctly can encourage active learning, sense of community and self-monitoring.

Logical Consequences is a form of discipline that allows children to learn from their mistakes. The consequence matches the action. For example if a student colors on a desk they clean the desk, they do not get recess taken away.

Guided Discovery is a way to introduce materials that allows for independence, creativity, and responsibility.

Academic Choice a time of the day where students may increase their learning through teacher/student choice centers.

Classroom Organization a way of physically setting up the classroom that promotes the student's best learning and ability for independence.

Working With Families being available to hear your parents input and teaching them the school's values.

Collaborative Problem Solving using conferencing and role-play to help students to solve their problems.

The First Six Weeks of School gives sample lesson plans for the first six weeks of school with detailed reasons of why it is important to introduce concepts and materials this way. It gives a great introduction to the guiding principles and techniques of how to introduce them to your classroom. For any first time teacher using Responsive Classroom this is an essential book to know and love!

School wide Practices
These are practices that are found throughout Responsive Classroom schools.

Aligning policies and procedures with Responsive Classroom philosophy''

everything from recess to discipline promotes self management within students that they are learning in their Responsive Classroom teaching method.

Allocating Resources to support Responsive Classroom implementation''

using all available resources to support the staff in their teaching.

Planning all school activities to build a sense of community

giving students and staff the chance to learn and grow from one another in activities throughout the school day and after school events.

Welcoming families and communities as partners

inviting families and community into the school either in a visiting or volunteering capacity.

Organizing the physical environment to set a tone of learning

keeping the school in a neat, safe, and pleasant looking state, while making sure to display rules and student's school/art work.