Since I'm observing a first grade class, emotional safety is just as important as physical safety. Kids obviously need to be physically safe, but as Mrs. Smiley just told me this morning, "You have to make learning fun at first and have them basically engage themselves at this age. If you don't introduce a concept with something fun, they won't be very motivated to learn it." In other words, you have to find a more interesting way to introduce things with younger kids. Start with fun, then gradually move to the main learning. Today, Mrs. Smiley brought in a cart full of LEGOs that the kids could all build anything they wanted with. They were all so excited to get to play in school during "Writer's Workshop" time, so this is going to be a new part of their day occasionally. She plans to do it again tomorrow, this time applying it more to Writer's Workshop now that they are engaged. Eventually, the LEGO building will be a crucial part of Writer's Workshop a couple times a week, letting the kids enjoy class while learning how to write to express themselves. Additionally, I think this could be good in developing their spatial perception skills, problem-solving skills and their communication with one another. They all wanted to share with me what they were making and re-enacting, and Mrs. Smiley and I made sure to be very positve about everything. Positivity definitely pushes these kids along further than anything else.
I also witnessed a "Brain Break" today. Basically, the kids have five minutes or so where they listen to (and watch) a silly music video about positive things like happiness, all the while dancing and moving to get their energy out. I could definitely see how excited the kids were for Brain Break as soon as Mrs. Smiley announced it, and they were so happy to dance around and be goofy. This definitely gave a positive feel to the room.
On another note, physical safety is definitely applied in the room. I've noticed that heavier totes and so forth are completely out of students' reach in class, so they can't accidentally pull anything harmful down on to themselves trying to get it without permission. The computer table has a backplate in its central support; all the wires are hidden behind it so that no kids can touch them. The room seems to be pretty well thought out, not to mention the standard things like a first aid kit and emergency drill information sheets that are easily accessible. Even the tables have rounded edges. The class is very safe for the kids, and they seem to feel at home here. They really love Mrs. Smiley, and they seem to enjoy having me around too.
I also witnessed a "Brain Break" today. Basically, the kids have five minutes or so where they listen to (and watch) a silly music video about positive things like happiness, all the while dancing and moving to get their energy out. I could definitely see how excited the kids were for Brain Break as soon as Mrs. Smiley announced it, and they were so happy to dance around and be goofy. This definitely gave a positive feel to the room.
On another note, physical safety is definitely applied in the room. I've noticed that heavier totes and so forth are completely out of students' reach in class, so they can't accidentally pull anything harmful down on to themselves trying to get it without permission. The computer table has a backplate in its central support; all the wires are hidden behind it so that no kids can touch them. The room seems to be pretty well thought out, not to mention the standard things like a first aid kit and emergency drill information sheets that are easily accessible. Even the tables have rounded edges. The class is very safe for the kids, and they seem to feel at home here. They really love Mrs. Smiley, and they seem to enjoy having me around too.