Classroom Community- Aversboro Elem.

This semester, I am an observing fifth grade faculty and their classrooms at Aversboro Elementary School. My SBTE, Mr. Berwanger is a fifth grade student teacher; however he only teaches the student math. The other two teachers he coincides with during the semester is the language arts teacher, Mrs. Sposato and the science and social studies teacher Mr. Mauro. Seeing that in this school the fifth grade students switch classes, there is a great sense of classroom community. All of the student’s know each other and are comfortable when it comes time to working together. In the afternoon, the students mingle within the other classes, for team time. During this time they practice language arts but even then I can tell that the students are very interactive with each other. The students are so engaged with the different topics and are on the tips of their chairs wanting to know.

Before seeing Aversboro for myself, I heard a lot of negative characteristics about the school. When I first walked into the hall way, I said to myself “These walls were beautiful and there was no way that they had ever been here.” Everywhere I looked the wall was a different color. The students meet us to the door and were gentleman and knew how to say please and thank you. At Aversboro, the faculty constantly reminds the students how to act while in public and what good little boys act or how ladies sit in a seat. As you walk down the halls or to the front office, everyone greets you with a smile and hello. Even though it’s a stranger their warm smile makes you feel as if you have known them forever. I haven’t had too many encounters thus far with the principal, but from what I have seen of him he seems to be very nice. On the other hand, even though he is the principal I he would be a little more outgoing when it comes to meeting people who are constantly in his classroom.

In all of the classes the students are readily participating and always wanting to share their ideas. I think this shows that the teachers have created a sense of classroom community seeing that everyone is comfortable enough to say and answer to the questions even though it made be wrong. I can remember being in elementary school and wanting to raise my hand and say they answer to specific questions but I was too scared. If my teachers would have created a more comfortable environment then maybe I would’ve gone to them to let them know exactly how I was feeling. Aversboro tries to instill in the students that they should always help each other and be respectful of their peers.

In the morning, Mr. Berwanger greets every child and talks to them and sees how their morning is going. He asks them if they need anything if they have eaten their breakfast. At this school they really try to take care of the students and make sure they have what they need before going home. The students really love that attention seeing that some don’t get the attention they need on a regular basis.