I think I put the finishing touches on my classroom walls today (unless any more of the student artwork falls down because of the heat in there?!?).  I do need to continue to focus on the spiritual environment which I’ll create within what I think is an attractive physical space.

I like what the blogger at Facing Today at the Facing History site defines as a “reflective classroom community” and how he describes the value of creating this environment in your classroom:

In a reflective classroom community, students work together in an engaging study of our past, and of our world today. Knowledge is constructed, not passively absorbed. And students, with both hearts and minds mobilized, are seen as subjects actively engaged in a community of learners. A trusting classroom atmosphere like this creates the space for deep, democratic learning. The creation of an environment like this requires a thoughtful approach.

For your consideration, for your own classroom, here’s the list:

1. Mutual respect
2. Intentional use of space
3. A culture of questioning
4. Thoughtful silence
5. Student-to-Student discussions
6. Connecting content to students’ lives to history and to the world today
7. Allowing for a variety of ways for students to express and enrich their learning
8. Creating space for diverse viewpoints

How do you do in creating a reflective classroom?