This document discusses Ohio's standards for creating a positive learning environment. It outlines five key elements teachers should address: 1) Treat all students fairly with respect, 2) Ensure the environment is physically and emotionally safe, 3) Motivate students to take responsibility for their learning, 4) Create situations for independent, collaborative, and whole-class work, and 5) Maintain an environment conducive to learning. Each element has proficient, accomplished, and distinguished levels described. The document provides examples of what these standards look like in the classroom and suggests artifacts for a teaching portfolio that demonstrate addressing these standards.

1. The Learning Environment Page

2. Ohio Standards for the Teaching Profession: Standard 5Teacherscreatelearningenvironmentsthatpromotehighlevels of learning and achievement for all students.

3. Standard 5: Element 5.1Teacherstreat all studentsfairly and establish an environmentthatisrespectful, supportive and caring.Whatdoesthat look like?

4. Standard 5: Element 5.1ProficientLevelTeachersdemonstratecaring and respect in their interactions with all students.Teachersdevelop and teach expectations for respectful interactions amongstudents.

5. Standard 5: Element 5.1ProficientLevelTeachers use strategies to promote positive relationships, cooperation and collaboration amongstudents.

6. Standard 5: Element 5.1AccomplishedLevelTeacherscreateclassrooms in whichstudentsdemonstratecaring and respect for one another.Teachersseek out and are receptive to the thoughts and opinions of all students.

7. Standard 5: Element 5.1DistinguishedLevelTeachers model expectations and behaviorsthatcreate a positive school and district climate of openness, respect and caring.

8. Standard 5: Element 5.2Teacherscreate an environmentthatisphyscially and emotionallysafe.Whatdoesthat look like?

9. Standard 5: Element 5.2ProficientLevelTeachersclarify standards of conduct for all students.Teachers use a variety of effective classroom management techniques.

10. Standard 5: Element 5.2ProficientLevelTeachersprovide a safelearningenvironmentthataccommodates all students.

11. Standard 5: Element 5.2AccomplishedLevelTeachersconsistently, effectively and respectfullyanticipate and respond to the behavior of students.

12. Standard 5: Element 5.2AccomplishedLevelTeachersmakedecisions and adjustmentsthat support positive behavior, enhance social behavior and increasestudent motivation and engagement in productive work.

13. Standard 5: Element 5.2DistinguishedLevelTeacherscreateclassrooms in whichstudentstake active roles in maintaining an enrichingenvironmentthatisconducive to learning.

14. Standard 5: Element 5.3Teachersmotivatestudents to workproductively and assume responsibility for theirownlearning.Whatdoesthat look like?

15. Standard 5: Element 5.3ProficientLevelTeachersfosterstudententhusiasm for and curiosity about the discipline.

16. Standard 5: Element 5.3ProficientLevelTeachersestablishmethods for recognition of students and relate recognition to specificstudentachievement, eitherindividually or in groups (Cotton, 1999)

17. Standard 5: Element 5.3AccomplishedLevelTeachers encourage self-directedlearnign by teachingstudents to outlinetasks and timelines (Cotton, 1999).

18. Standard 5: Element 5.3AccomplishedLevelTeachersvarytheirroles in the instructionalprocess (instructor, facilitator and coach) based on the content, focus of learning and studentneeds.

19. Standard 5: Element 5.3DistinguishedLevelTeachersworkwithothereducators to support the design of independentlearningexperiences for students, such as service-learningactivities and cooperativelearning groups.

20. Standard 5: Element 5.4Teacherscreatelearning situations in whichstudentsworkindependently, collaboratively and/or as a whole class.Whatdoesthat look like?

21. Standard 5: Element 5.4ProficientLevelTeachers use flexible learning situations, such as independent, small group and whole class.Teachersdevelop guidelines for and model cooperativelearning.

22. Standard 5: Element 5.4ProficientLevelTeachersofferstudentsopportunities for independent practice with and reflection on new concepts and skills.

23. Standard 5: Element 5.4AccomplishedLevelTeachersemploycooperativelearningactivites.Teacherseffectively combine independent, collaborative and whole-class learning situations to maximizestudentunderstanding and learning.

24. Standard 5: Element 5.4DistinguishedLevelTeacherscreateenvironmentswherestudentsinitiatepurposefullearning groups and takeresponsibility for the group’sproductivity.

25. Standard 5: Element 5.4DistinguishedLevelTeachers model and assistotherteachers in implementing a variety of learning situations in theirclassrooms.

26. Standard 5: Element 5.5Teachersmaintain an environmentthatisconducive to learning for all students.Whatdoesthat look like?

27. Standard 5: Element 5.5ProficientLevelTeachersbegin class purposefully, withassignments, activities, materials and supplies ready for studentswhenthey arrive (Cotton, 1999).

28. Standard 5: Element 5.5ProficientLevelTeachers transition betweenlearningactivities and use instructional time effectively.Teachersconvertphysicalspace to facilitate instruction.

29. Standard 5: Element 5.5AccomplishedLevelTeachersconductperiodicreviews of classroom routines and revisethem as needed (Cotton, 1999).

30. Standard 5: Element 5.5DistinguishedLevelTeachers influence the establishment of district-widepolicies to maximize the amount of class time spentlearning (such as dailyscheduling, district calendar, textbooks and technologyenhancements).

31. Essential QuestionHave youcreated a learningenvironmentthatpromoteslearning and highachievement?

32. Consider the following:(use never, rarely, sometimes, frequently or always to answer)I treat all studentsfairly and I have established a classroomenvironmentthatisrespectful, supportive and caring.I have created a classroomenvironmentthatisphysically and emotionallysafe.

33. (use never, rarely, sometimes, frequently or always to answer)I motivatemystudents to workproductively and takeresponsibility for theirownlearning.

34. (use never, rarely, sometimes, frequently or always to answer)I createlearning situations in whichstudentsworkindependently, collaboratively and/or as a whole class.

35. (use never, rarely, sometimes, frequently or always to answer)I maintain an environmentthatisconducive to learning for all students.

36. Possible Artifacts to include in your Professional Portfolio:Classroom management paperPictures of classroom/classroomdiagramwithexplanation about the classroomenvironment

37. For EACH ArtifactRemember the four components necessary for each artifact:DateContextReflectionStandardSee the video “The Four Components of a reflection” for more information on this requirement.

38. BibliographyThis information is copied/adapted from: http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODEDetail.aspx?page=3&TopicRelationID=1309&ContentID=8561&Content=86686 Click on “Standards for OhioEducators” to review the entire100-page document.