What is a supportive learning environment?

Differentiation Non-Negotiables Supportive learning environment Continuous assessment High-quality curriculum Respectful tasks Flexible grouping

Characteristics of a supportive learning environment brainstorm

Planned community building activities Time devoted to teaching relationship skills Time for reflection on needs and objectives Positive interdependence Shared goals, expectations, values Shared responsibility Community chosen tasks and projects Strong sense of loyalty Characteristics of a Positive Classroom Culture

Seven Traits for Optimal Learning in a Positive Classroom Culture Self-evaluation Resiliency Adaptability Responsibility Teamwork Competency Expectation

5 Basic Needs  To connect  To be competent  To make choices  To have fun  To be safe Sullo, 2007

According to William Schutz, an academic expert on groups, what three things does every group member need? Affect Affect Control Control Inclusion Inclusion

AFFECT Need to establish & maintain satisfactory relation with respect to love & affection Need to feel self is loveable Need for affection relating to being close or far

“Affection is responsible for nine-tenths of whatever solid and durable happiness there is in our lives.” (C. S. Lewis)

Caring and support Questions students ask themselves Is this teacher my friend or enemy? Will I be embarrassed or feel stupid? What will my classmates think? Can I do this work? Where is my connection to this task? Am I valued? Gregory

AFFECT In years to come, your students may forget what you taught them. But, they will always remember how you made them feel. Author Unknown

CONTROL Need to establish & maintain satisfactory relation with respect to control & power Need to feel self is competent & responsible

“If a person does not feel included, he/she will create his/her own inclusion by grabbing influence, attracting attention, creating a controversy, demanding power or taking control.” Jeanne Gibbs Tribes (1987)

INCLUSION Need to establish & maintain satisfactory relation with respect to interaction & association Need to feel self is significant & worthwhile Need for inclusion relating to being in or out

The yearning for deep connection describes a quality of relationship that is profoundly caring, is resonant with meaning, and involves feelings of belonging, or of being truly seen and known Rachael Kessler (2000)

Seven Strategies for Building Positive Classrooms Make learning relevant Create a classroom code of conduct Teach positive actions Instill intrinsic motivation Reinforce positive behaviors Engage positive role models Always be positive leadership/sept08/vol66/num01/Seven-Strategies-for-Building-Positive- Classrooms.aspx

Positive Actions for… a healthy body the intellect self-management getting along with others being honest with yourself and others improving yourself continually Strategies-for-Building-Positive-Classrooms.aspx

Reflect on ways you intentionally build AFFECT, CONTROL, and INCLUSION into your classroom learning environment.