General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists ® CRE 02 Teaching Principles-Christ-like Atmosphere

What influences atmosphere?

Physical environment

Action pause Stand up Tell someone standing near you one of the blessings you have received this summer

Emotional environment

Some effects of classroom atmosphere on learning Downshifting Physical safety Emotional safety Internal/external influences Assigned tasks Clarity Value Ability

Order in the physical environment Create order according to the activity Arrange the classroom according to the audience/teaching method being used

Order in the physical environment (cont.) Form small groups

Order in the physical environment (cont.) Assign classroom assistants/classroom jobs Allow for movement and change of locale

Safety in the physical environment Manage classroom behaviors Know when to stop your students from taking foolish actions (the mob at Nazareth)

Interaction pause Think about the physical environment of your classroom(s) What can you do to ensure safety, comfort, and order in your physical space? Write down 5 ideas Share your ideas with a partner Be ready to share with the whole faculty

Acceptance by peers Organize your students into small groups/teams for important assignments Promote interdependence

Acceptance by peers (cont.) Allow teams to develop (form, storm, norm, perform, transform) Intervene in group processes to foster team development— “what were you discussing along the way?”

Acceptance by teacher Pray for your students Connect with your students Use their names or create nicknames

Acceptance by teacher (cont.) Spend time with students outside of class Visit students’ homes Get to know students’ families

A sense of academic trust Make assignments reasonable Make assignments relevant Hold students accountable

Emotional safety Respect for all children of God Include the included Include the marginalized Include the excluded

Emotional safety (cont.) Advocate for your students Protect your students from each other Shield your students from hostile others until they are ready to stand alone

Interaction pause Think about the emotional environment of your classroom(s) What can you do to ensure a Christ-like emotional climate in your classes? Write down 5 ideas Share your ideas with a partner Be ready to share with the whole faculty

The importance of the teacher We set the tone We maintain the tone We can make adjustments Some preliminary research results

James 3:1 “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (NIV). It is only through the calling, the gifting, and the guiding of the Holy Spirit that we can be successful in the teaching ministry.

International Institute of Christian Ministries ©2012 General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists ® Creating a Christ- like Atmosphere in the Classroom