Pedagogy: Elementary (Grades K–6) Subtest 1

Subarea II. Learning Environment

0004

Understand how to establish a safe, inclusive, and positive learning environment that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

demonstrating knowledge of how to establish a positive classroom climate and create a learning environment that promotes self-esteem, active engagement, and positive interpersonal relationships for all students
demonstrating knowledge of how to help students work productively and cooperatively with each other in various contexts and how to establish peer relationships that promote learning
demonstrating knowledge of expectations for student interactions, academic discussions, and individual and group responsibility that create a positive classroom climate of openness, mutual respect, support, inquiry, and learning
applying knowledge of human motivation, behavior, and social groups, including principles of psychology, anthropology, and sociology, to identify effective strategies for promoting student learning and for organizing and supporting individual and group work
demonstrating knowledge of factors and situations that are likely to promote or diminish intrinsic motivation and strategies for helping students become self-motivated (e.g., relating lessons to students' personal interests, allowing students to have choices in their learning, leading students to ask questions and pursue problems that are meaningful to them)
recognizing how intrinsic motivation promotes students' lifelong learning and how the use of various motivational strategies can encourage continuous student development of skills and abilities
demonstrating knowledge of how to analyze the classroom environment and make decisions and adjustments to enhance social relationships and increase student motivation and engagement

0005

Understand how to create an organized and productive learning environment that promotes all students' participation and learning.

demonstrating knowledge of effective, developmentally appropriate classroom routines and procedures that promote an organized and productive learning environment and encourage purposeful learning and the full participation of all students in independent and group work
applying knowledge of strategies for managing the instructional environment to maximize class time spent in learning (e.g., creating expectations for communication and behavior, managing transitions, managing materials, implementing appropriate schedules)
demonstrating knowledge of strategies for organizing the physical environment of the classroom to facilitate student learning and achieve defined goals
demonstrating knowledge of how to organize, allocate, and manage resources (e.g., time, space, attention) to promote students' learning and active engagement in productive tasks
applying knowledge of how to design and manage learning communities in which students assume responsibility for themselves and one another, exhibit commitment, participate in decision making, work both collaboratively and independently, and engage in purposeful learning activities
applying knowledge of effective classroom management, including methods for encouraging students to monitor their own behavior and for promoting students' cooperation and sense of responsibility and accountability in the classroom
demonstrating knowledge of how to analyze the classroom environment and make decisions and adjustments to enhance productivity and participation

0006

Understand how to use effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques to promote active inquiry, learning, collaboration, and supportive interaction in the classroom.

applying knowledge of communication theory, language development, the role of language in learning, and the use of language for various purposes (e.g., to promote self-expression, identity development, learning)
demonstrating knowledge of how various student characteristics (e.g., age, gender, cultural background, linguistic background, exceptionality) may affect communication in the classroom and how to communicate effectively with all students (e.g., using active listening skills, appropriate vocabulary, nonverbal indicators)
demonstrating knowledge of effective verbal, nonverbal, and media communication techniques for conveying ideas and information and for achieving specified goals (e.g., providing feedback, building student self-esteem)
identifying strategies for supporting and expanding elementary students' expression in speaking, writing, and other media and for fostering sensitive communication by and among all students
demonstrating knowledge of how to use a variety of media and educational technologies to enrich learning opportunities
applying knowledge of strategies for adjusting communication to enhance student understanding and engagement
demonstrating knowledge of different purposes for questioning (e.g., stimulating discussion, probing for student understanding, helping students articulate their ideas and thinking processes, promoting productive risk taking and problem solving, facilitating recall, encouraging convergent and divergent thinking, stimulating curiosity) and techniques for effective questioning in various learning contexts

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