Summary of Domain 2 – Classroom Environment Domain 2 concentrates on teacher's relationships with students, the importance of educational learning in the classroom, instructions and students' engagement in the classroom, students' behavior in the classroom, the physical environment of the classroom. Teachers should create a respectful atmosphere keeping students both positive and feel supported. Teachers need to pay attention to students interacting together making sure students are being respectful to each other. The classroom should have a high energy of eager students wanting to learn and teachers ready to teach at the best of their ability. Teachers need to have regular routines to keep the classroom efficient and on track of time. To use time wisely and keep students on tasks teachers need to set up transitions between lessons and other activities. A successful classroom needs to be organized and productive. Teachers should organize the classroom in such a way to promote student learning.
Why Domain 2 is important Keeps the classroom organized and positive making students feel safe. A positive and encouraging environment keeps the classroom healthy. Teachers and students know the importance of an educational learning the students will be hard at work and will want to succeed. Having high expectations in the classroom will have students striving to work hard and accomplishing tasks. Classrooms with a routine will allow the student to know what is expected of them and will have a feel for how the day will go. Having a routine in the classroom will keep students on task and work will get done faster. Classrooms without a routine will lead to confusion and the students will not know what is expected of them. Being able to manage student behavior in a classroom is key in having a healthy classroom for both the teacher and students. In the classroom, students be feeling safe and concentrating on their learning. The classroom must be accessible for everyone. Teachers need to make the classroom arrangement productive for learning. Teachers need to be aware of the dangers in the classroom to keep students safe.
Gifted Teacher Perspectives from a 6th - 8th grade gifted teacher who I have had the opportunity to collaborate with, gave me ways she uses Domain 2 in her classroom. She has organized her classroom in such a way were she is able to move around easily and every table, seat and space has a purpose. She included flexible seating for her students to work around the classroom for individual work and even has a corner for reading. Around her classroom, she has many inspirational posters to keep the classroom happy and motivated.
Sources: The Framework for Teaching Evaluation Instrument. (2017). Static.pdesas.org. Retrieved 21 October 2017, from http://static.pdesas.org/content/documents/danielson_rubric_32.pdf Images labeled for reuse