Classroom Compass: Navigating Success Script

Warm-Up: Think-Pair-Share on Ideal Classroom (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! To kick off today, I want you to think about what makes a classroom a really great place to learn. What does it feel like? What do people do? Take about two minutes to jot down your individual ideas."

Give students two minutes to write.

Teacher: "Now, turn to a partner next to you and share your ideas. See what you have in common and what new ideas your partner brings up. You have two minutes for this."

After two minutes, bring the class back together.

Teacher: "Alright, who would like to share one or two things that came up in their discussion about what makes an ideal classroom?"

Call on a few students to share.

Introduction to Classroom Compass (2 minutes)

(Display Classroom Compass: Navigating Success Slide Deck - Slide 1)

Teacher: "Excellent ideas, everyone! Many of your thoughts revolve around creating a positive and productive space. Today, we're going to talk about our 'Classroom Compass.' Just like a compass helps you find your way, our classroom expectations will help us navigate a successful school year together."

(Display Classroom Compass: Navigating Success Slide Deck - Slide 2)

Teacher: "Why do we need a compass, or these expectations? Because they guide us to success, help create that positive learning environment you just talked about, and ensure fairness and respect for everyone. When we all know the 'directions,' we can work together much more smoothly."

The Four Pillars of Presence (10 minutes)

(Display Classroom Compass: Navigating Success Slide Deck - Slide 3)

Teacher: "Our first pillar on this compass is Punctuality & Preparation. This means being on time, every time, and being ready to learn with your materials. Why do you think being on time and prepared is so important? How does it affect not just you, but also your classmates and me?"

Allow for a few student responses. Guide towards respect for time, minimizing disruptions, and setting oneself up for success.

(Display Classroom Compass: Navigating Success Slide Deck - Slide 4)

Teacher: "Our second pillar is Respectful Engagement. This means listening actively, contributing thoughtfully, and respecting diverse perspectives. What does respectful engagement look and sound like in our classroom? Can you give me an example?"

Allow for a few student responses. Guide towards making eye contact, raising hands, constructive feedback.

(Display Classroom Compass: Navigating Success Slide Deck - Slide 5)

Teacher: "Next, we have Mindful Technology Use. This refers to keeping phones away during instruction and using devices only when directed. We all love our phones, but why is it crucial to be mindful of when and how we use them in class?"

Allow for a few student responses. Guide towards focusing on learning, avoiding distractions, and showing respect.

(Display Classroom Compass: Navigating Success Slide Deck - Slide 6)

Teacher: "Finally, our fourth pillar is understanding Work vs. Social Time. It's about knowing when it's time to work and when it's time to socialize. How can you tell the difference between these two times in our classroom? When is it okay to chat with a friend, and when do we need to be fully focused on our tasks?"

Allow for a few student responses. Guide towards focusing during instruction/group work, and social time before/after class or during designated breaks.

Teacher: "Now, I'm going to hand out a short reading called 'The Power of Presence Reading.' Please read this individually, or quietly with a partner, and think about how the ideas in it connect to what we've just discussed about our classroom compass."

Distribute The Power of Presence Reading and allow 5 minutes for reading.

Teacher: "Based on the reading and our discussion, what resonated with you about being 'present'? How does being fully present connect to our classroom expectations?"

Facilitate a brief discussion (5 minutes).

Reflecting on Our Norms Activity (8 minutes)

(Display Classroom Compass: Navigating Success Slide Deck - Slide 7)

Teacher: "Excellent insights! Now, let's put our understanding into practice. I'm going to divide you into small groups. Each group will receive a 'Classroom Expectations Worksheet.' For each of our four pillars, I want you to discuss:

• What does this expectation look like in our classroom?
• What does it sound like?
• What are the benefits of everyone following this expectation?

You have 5 minutes to work in your groups."

Divide students into groups and distribute the Classroom Expectations Worksheet. Circulate and assist as needed.

Teacher: "Alright, let's bring it back together. Can one group share their thoughts on Punctuality & Preparation? How about Respectful Engagement? Mindful Technology Use? And finally, Work vs. Social Time?"

Call on different groups to share their responses for each pillar.

Cool-Down: Commitment to Our Compass (5 minutes)

(Display Classroom Compass: Navigating Success Slide Deck - Slide 8)

Teacher: "Thank you for those thoughtful discussions! As we wrap up, I want each of you to think about one of these four expectations that you will personally focus on improving or upholding this week. It could be something you already do well and want to commit to, or something you want to work on.

I'm handing out a 'Classroom Expectations Cool Down' slip. Please write down that one expectation and briefly explain why it matters to you. This is your personal commitment to our classroom compass."

Distribute the cool-down slips. Collect them as students exit or when they are finished.

Teacher: "Remember, creating an amazing learning space is a shared effort. Your commitment to these expectations helps all of us succeed. Thank you!"

What Makes a Great Classroom?

Think about the best learning environments you've ever been in, or imagine your ideal classroom.

What makes a classroom a great place to learn and grow?

Jot down your ideas below. Consider:

• What do students do?
• What do students say?
• What do students avoid?
• What does the classroom feel like?

The Power of Presence

In our fast-paced world, it's easy to be physically in one place while our minds are somewhere else. We might be sitting in a classroom, but our thoughts are on social media, a game, or what happened last night. This is what we call being distracted, and it's the opposite of being present.

Being present means being fully engaged, mentally and physically, in whatever you are doing at that moment. It means your attention is focused on the task, the conversation, or the learning opportunity right in front of you. When you are present in the classroom, you are truly there. Your mind is open to new ideas, your ears are ready to listen, and you're prepared to participate.

Why Does Presence Matter in the Classroom?

1. Better Learning: When you're present, you absorb more information. You catch important details, understand complex concepts, and remember what's being taught. Distractions, even small ones, can break your concentration and make it harder to learn.

2. Stronger Connections: Being present helps you connect with your classmates and your teacher. You can engage in meaningful discussions, work effectively in groups, and build a sense of community. When you're paying attention to others, you show respect, and they are more likely to respect you in return.

3. Increased Productivity: Imagine trying to write an essay while constantly checking your phone. It would take much longer and likely result in lower quality work. Being present means dedicating your energy to the task at hand, which leads to better results in less time.

4. Personal Well-being: Surprisingly, being present can also improve your overall well-being. When you're constantly multitasking or worrying about other things, it can be stressful. Focusing on one thing at a time can reduce anxiety and make learning more enjoyable.

How Can You Practice Presence?

• Set Intentions: Before class, take a moment to decide that you will be fully present. Make a conscious choice to put distractions aside.
• Active Listening: When someone is speaking, really try to hear and understand what they are saying, rather than just waiting for your turn to talk.
• Minimize Distractions: Put your phone away, close unnecessary tabs on your laptop, and clear your desk of anything that might pull your attention away.
• Participate: Ask questions, offer ideas, and engage in activities. Participation keeps your mind active and rooted in the present moment.

Developing the habit of presence is a powerful skill, not just for school, but for all areas of your life. It allows you to make the most of every opportunity and truly experience what's happening around you.

Classroom Expectations: What It Looks Like, Sounds Like, and Why It Matters

Instructions: In your groups, discuss each of the four classroom expectations (pillars). For each pillar, describe what it looks like and sounds like in our classroom, and explain the benefits of everyone upholding this expectation. Be specific!

Pillar 1: Punctuality & Preparation

Description: Being on time, every time, and being ready to learn with your materials (e.g., notebook, pen, charged device).

What it LOOKS like:

What it SOUNDS like:

Benefits (Why it matters):

Pillar 2: Respectful Engagement

Description: Listening actively, contributing thoughtfully, and respecting diverse perspectives during discussions and activities.

What it LOOKS like:

What it SOUNDS like:

Benefits (Why it matters):

Pillar 3: Mindful Technology Use

Description: Keeping phones away and silent during instruction, and using devices only when directed for learning purposes.

What it LOOKS like:

What it SOUNDS like:

Benefits (Why it matters):

Pillar 4: Work vs. Social Time

Description: Knowing when it is time to focus on academic tasks and when it is appropriate to socialize with peers.

What it LOOKS like:

What it SOUNDS like:

Benefits (Why it matters):

Classroom Norms Activity: Our Shared Vision

Objective: To collaboratively define and understand the impact of our classroom expectations.

Time Allotment: 8 minutes

Materials:

• Classroom Expectations Worksheet (one per student or group)
• Pens/Pencils

Instructions for Teacher:

1. Introduce the Activity (1 minute):

   • "Now that we've discussed our four pillars, we're going to work together to make them even clearer. We want to build a shared understanding of what these expectations look and sound like in our classroom."

2. Form Small Groups (1 minute):

   • "Please get into small groups of 3-4 students. You can quickly move your chairs or turn to your assigned group members."
   • Allow students to form groups.

3. Distribute Worksheets & Explain Task (2 minutes):

   • "Each group will receive a 'Classroom Expectations Worksheet'. Your task is to discuss each of the four pillars. For each one, you need to answer three questions:
     1. What does this expectation LOOK like in our classroom?
     2. What does it SOUND like?
     3. What are the BENEFITS for everyone if we all uphold this expectation?"
   • "Be as specific as possible with your examples. Think about concrete actions and behaviors."
   • Distribute the worksheets.

4. Group Work (5 minutes):

   • "You have 5 minutes to complete the worksheet as a group. Discuss each pillar thoroughly."
   • Circulate among the groups, listening to discussions, and offering guidance or prompts if groups get stuck. Ensure all students are participating.

5. Whole Class Share-Out (3 minutes):

   • "Alright, groups, let's bring our attention back together. I'd like to hear some of your insights."
   • "For Punctuality & Preparation, what were some key ideas your group discussed?"
   • "How about Respectful Engagement? What did it look and sound like?"
   • "Let's hear from another group for Mindful Technology Use."
   • "And finally, for Work vs. Social Time, what were the benefits you identified?"
   • Call on different groups to share their responses for each pillar. Affirm and synthesize their ideas, reinforcing the importance of each expectation. Thank students for their participation.

My Classroom Compass Commitment

Think about the four classroom expectations we discussed today:

1. Punctuality & Preparation
2. Respectful Engagement
3. Mindful Technology Use
4. Work vs. Social Time

Out of these four, which one expectation will you personally focus on upholding or improving this week?

Why does this particular expectation matter to you, and how do you think it will contribute to a better learning environment for everyone?

Thank you for committing to our classroom compass!