Self-Assess
Meet with a small group of colleagues to self-assess your school and classroom as a community. You might involve the leadership team and/or grade-level colleagues. Or, you might just work with a colleague.
Gain Perspective
Try to see your school from the students' perspective as you walk through the school, your classrooms, and the library. Ask:
Now do the same for your own classroom, for example, ask:
Identify Goals
Chances are you will find many positive aspects; but look hard for areas of improvement. Work as a group to identify some short-term and long-term goals. There may be one or two goals that you can accomplish right away. Then, start to think about next term or next year and make a plan for creating a community environment from the beginning.
Continue to Collaborate
As you work toward developing your classroom environment, it will help to invite a friend into the room to walk about and tell you his first impressions.
This process will take time, but the benefits will quickly become clear as your students begin to see themselves reflected in their environment and find themselves part of a greater community.
~The Fountas & Pinnell Literacy™ Team
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