Sustaining: The learning community includes, but is not limited to: a visually stimulating atmosphere which displays children’s accomplishments, an optimal physical arrangement which allows for flexible instructional opportunities and student access to varied materials, an environment that is organized and managed by students with the teacher(s) as facilitator(s), an environment where student expectations have been communicated with clarity and dignity, and consistent opportunities for engaged learning that include all ability levels, student choice, student reflection and conflict management.
 
 

Developing: The learning community includes: a visually stimulating atmosphere which displays children’s accomplishments, a physical arrangement which allows for flexible instructional opportunities and student access to varied materials, an environment that is managed and organized by teacher(s) and students, an environment where student expectations have been communicated with clarity and dignity, and opportunities for engaged learning that include all ability levels, some student choice, reflection and conflict management.
 
 

Beginning: The learning community includes: a visually stimulating atmosphere which displays children’s accomplishments, a physical arrangement which allows for student access to varied materials, a teacher managed and organized environment where student expectations have been clearly communicated, and opportunities for learning that include all ability levels, and beginning activities in student choice, reflection and conflict management.
 
 

Entry: The learning community includes: an atmosphere which displays children’s accomplishments, a teacher managed and organized environment, and opportunities for children of all ability levels to learn through the use of varied materials.
 
 

KEY QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• In what ways is a stimulating, flexible community for learning provided?
• In what ways are students allowed to have input in the appearance of the classroom environment?
• How is the classroom set up for access and use of materials by all?
• How is the classroom learning community perceived by students, parents, and colleagues?
• How does the classroom community help children of all ability levels to learn?
• How are student choice, reflection and conflict management techniques evidenced in
• the learning community?