I was first introduced to the Responsive Classroom Approach in my Primary Practicum/Internship experience. The whole school followed the approach however, it was evident that it wasn't being implemented just by the behavior of other classes. I was pretty much submerged in this philosophy that I really knew nothing about.
I was very fortunate to have a Mentor Teacher that was formally trained in this approach. I even got to share some of the ideas and practices with other UC professors in the ECE program. My Mentor Teacher gave me six books she had purchased and allowed me to borrow them throughout the year. By watching her daily teaching style I easily picked up on the philosophies and ideas of the Responsive Classroom Approach.
We did not have any students with identified disabilities, however, in previous years my Mentor Teacher had a handful. She said this Approach above all other types of classroom management techniques/ideas was the most effective. I think that the social education is just as important as the academic components to raising and teaching practices concerning young children.
The website is very helpful in helping to create a sense of community and belonging in your classroom.
www.responsiveclassroom.org
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I first heard of the Responsive Classroom in Janet Donaldson’s class (Teaching Reading and Writing II). She gave us some articles from the Responsive Classroom Newsletter. When reading your blog I decided to dig up the articles. There is one entitled Teaching Children to Care by Ruth Charney. This one is actually an excerpt from the book Teaching Children to Care. I wonder if this is one of the books your mentor let you borrow. It talked about teaching children learn to take better care of themselves, of each other, and of their classrooms.
ReplyDeleteThe excerpt says “We teach children to show the ethic of caring each day when we expect them to: learn each other’s names and get to know each other’s interests and feelings, take turns without arguing, pouting, or quitting, share supplies, snacks, attention from classmates, private time with the teacher, etc., greet and include others (not only friends) in conversation and activities…”
I think the Responsive Classroom approach is a great way to build a sense of community in the classroom.