ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 1 Discussion
DQ1 What does a professional educator look like? How does a professional educator behave? What standards guide a professional educator’s thinking and actions? How is the conduct of a professional educator consistent with a Christian worldview, as described on the GCU Statement on the Integration of Faith, Learning and Work? Give examples. Cite your responses.
DQ2 After reading “To Improve U.S. Education, It’s Time to Treat Teachers as Professionals,” do you agree with Howard Gardner’s position on needed changes for teachers to be treated as professionals? Defend your position. Cite your responses.
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 2 Discussion
DQ1 Of the various student quotes in the Schussler article, which connected with you the most regarding engaging disengaged students? Explain. Cite your sources.
DQ2 What three techniques in Lemov’s “Teach Like a Champion” do you feel most confident in implementing in your future classroom? Explain. Cite your sources.
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 3 Discussion
DQ1 How are the concepts of authority and engagement connected in the classroom setting? Please explain how you will establish an appropriate level of authority in your future classroom while also maintaining a successful level of student engagement.
DQ2 Please describe the three concepts of classroom management, engagement, and motivation in reference to education. How are all of these aspects of education connected and interdependent? Provide examples to support your response.
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 4 Discussion
DQ1 How are classroom procedures different than classroom rules? Explain what it means to teach, model, and practice your procedures along with your beliefs on when procedures should be taught. Please include detailed examples on how procedures and rules might affect a student’s level of achievement in your future classroom.
DQ2 The Capizzi article discusses six key areas for effective classroom management. Explain and defend your position on the ranking of the six different areas and whether they are all equally important in maintaining effective classroom management.
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 5 Discussion
DQ1 View the “Roller Coaster Physics: STEM in Action,” “Animal Patterns: Integrating Science, Math & Art,” and “Table for 22: A Real-World Geometry Project.” Imagine that you are a student entering each classroom for the first time. How does each setting make you feel? What does each classroom tell you about the teacher who designed the environment?
DQ2 Which strategy from the seminal article by Kagan do you believe is the most critical for engaging students in the learning process?   Defend your choice.
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 8 Discussion
DQ1 There are a number of key stakeholders in a school system and the school community. List at least two major and two minor stakeholders, in addition to parents, and explain the importance of your relationship to each of them. How will your relationships with these key stakeholders affect students?
DQ2 What are some communication do’s and don’ts when speaking with families? After reading the Conderman et al. article, identify two of each, and explain why each is either a do or a don’t.
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 9 Discussion
DQ1 California recently enacted a law that precludes willful defiance or disruption of school activities as a reason to expel students.  Do you think it is appropriate for the state legislature to decide such an issue or should the issue be addressed by the governing board of a school district?  Defend your answer.
DQ2 What are some of the most significant insights you have gained from your research on legal issues and the classroom teacher in this course? How will you or how do you hope to implement this knowledge in your future classroom as an effective educator?
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 1 Assignment
Professionalism as an Educator
For the benchmark assignment, you will assemble and finalize your personal, comprehensive classroom management plan developed during this course.
Review the details of the benchmark assignment. A compiled and revised draft of the benchmark assignment assembled from Topics 1-4 is due in Topic 5. You will also be required to submit the benchmark assignment in a CLC assignment in Topic 5 for peer review.
Research the topic of professional conduct for teachers, focusing on interactions with students, students’ families, coworkers, and administrators. Complete the “Professionalism as an Educator Table,” describing ways to behave professionally for positive, collaborative relationships across the school system, and to create an appropriate supportive educational environment for students.
All entries in Part I of the table must be supported by a reference. Your references may include the NEA Code of Ethics, the NASDTEC Code of Ethics, the InTASC dispositions, the COE Professional Dispositions in the Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education Clinical Field Experience Handbook, the COE Pledge, the Arizona Administrative Code, the GCU Statement on the Integration of Faith, Learning, and Work, or other relevant resources.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 2 Assignment
Student Engagement Strategies
Teachers are expected to “manage the learning environment to actively and equitably engage students by organizing, allocating and coordinating the resources of time, space and learner’s attention” (InTASC 3(d).
For this assignment, your principal has asked you to develop a presentation about student motivation and engagement strategies. This presentation will be used in a professional development workshop for first-year teachers.
Using the “Class Profile,” select a grade 1-8 and create a 10-15 slide PowerPoint presentation. In completing your presentation:
Research, analyze, and select seven strategies that foster motivation and active engagement in learning, self-motivation, and positive social interaction among the students.
Explain each strategy in your own words.
Identify classroom arrangements that are best for each engagement strategy.
Support your presentation with three scholarly resources.
Create a title slide, reference slides, slide notes that provide a detailed explanation of how you would implement each strategy in your future classroom.
In addition, write a 200-250 word student engagement strategies statement. Include components of your presentation that you would incorporate into your future classroom management plan, and explain why.
Include a minimum of three scholarly references.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 3 Assignment
Behavior Management Models/Systems
For this assignment, use the same grade level you selected in Topic 2 and the “Class Profile.”  Select two classroom management models from the following list to research:
Harry Wong’s Effective Classroom
Kagan, Kyle, and Scott’s Win-Win Discipline
Fred Jones Positive Classroom Discipline
Morrish’s Real Discipline
Canter and Canter’s Assertive Discipline (middle school education focused)
Jeanne Gibb’s Tribes (elementary education focused)
Select two school-wide/campus-wide behavior management systems from the following list to research:
Character Education (e.g., Character Counts, Character First! Education, I CAN Character Curriculum)
Love and Logic
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Strategies (PBIS) (a school-wide program that uses PBS)
S.T.A.R. (“Stop, Think, Act, Review” or “Success Through Accepting Responsibility”) (elementary education focused)
Based on your research, complete the “Behavior Management Models/Systems Table.”
In addition, write your personal 200-250 word classroom management model statement. This statement should include elements of each model/system you would incorporate into your future classroom management plan. Explain your selections.
Include a minimum of three scholarly references to support your statement.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 4 Assignment
Rules, Consequences, and Rewards
For this assignment, use the same grade level you selected in Topic 2 and the “Class Profile.”
In a 250-500 word essay, create your own rules, consequences, and rewards system by doing the following:
Choose or create your own set of 3-5 rules with consequences for your future classroom.
Research various models of consequence ladders and choose one or create your own based on your research.
Describe where and how you will document the consequences.
Choose or create your own reward system.
Describe where and how you will document the rewards.
Include a minimum of three scholarly references.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
 
 
 
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 4 Assignment
Clinical Field Experience: Interview and Behavior Expectations
Standards assessed in the field experience:
InTASC: 1(a), 1(e), 2(a), 2(b), 2(g), 2(h), 3(a), 3(d), 3(e), 3(j),3(k), 9(l), 10(l)
ACEI: 1, 3.2, 3.4, 5.1, 5.2
Spend 5 hours observing and interviewing a certified teacher in grades 1-8 about the teacher’s classroom management plan, the school’s behavior expectations for students, the school’s behavior management program, and how these expectations are apparent across the campus and in the classroom.
Your interview questions and observation should probe:
The type, number, and degree to which the expectations are stated in positive language and the rationales for these expectations.
The forms and locations in which the expectations are posted on the school grounds and in the classroom.
How expectations are initially taught, reinforced, and monitored school-wide and at the individual classroom level for students who start the academic year at the school site or later in the year.
When differentiation is appropriate for teaching and reinforcing those expectations, including examples of that differentiation.
How classroom and school-wide behavioral expectations are communicated to students and families.
The teacher’s reflections on the overall degree of effectiveness of her or his classroom management plan.
Recommendations for change of the classroom’s management plan based on personal experiences.
Ask additional questions as appropriate. Retain a copy of the questions asked and responses received.
After the interview and observations, complete the following tasks in 250-500 words:
Summarize what you found from your  interview and observations;
Draw conclusions from your summary;
Apply the conclusions you have drawn to your practices as a future educator.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
Document the hours and locations that you spend in the field on your Clinical Field Experience Verification Form.
Submit the Clinical Field Experience Verification Form with the last assignment by the assignment due date. Directions for submitting can be found on the College of Education site in the Student Success Center.
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 4 Assignment
Classroom Procedures
For this assignment, use the same grade level you selected in Topic 2 and the “Class Profile.” Identify seven classroom management procedures that accomplish the following:
Establish routines;
Optimize time for instruction;
Allow the learning environment to operate efficiently;
Address digital citizenship, including the safe, ethical, and legal use of technology and digital information;
Create a classroom environment that is conducive to learning; and
Consider additional concerns that may arise in the classroom consistent with the class profile and grade level.
In a total of 250-500 words, write a detailed step-by-step process that identifies how you will teach and practice each procedure.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 5 Assignment
Classroom Arrangements
For this assignment, use the same grade level you selected in Topic 2 and the “Class Profile.”
Research five different elementary classroom environments. Take note of the materials found in each environment and how the rooms are arranged. Map out three different classroom arrangements that facilitate students working productively individually or in groups. In creating your arrangements, consider ease of flow of traffic consistent with age-appropriate development of motor skills, social and emotional needs, and physical activity of your students from the “Class Profile.” Your arrangements can be hand-drawn or computer generated, but must be submitted in a PDF or Word document.
Include a 250-300 word essay using three scholarly resources regarding appropriate elementary classroom arrangements. Explain your rationale for the space you designed. Justify each item in your designs (e.g., materials, furniture, design elements, how they are arranged).
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 5 Assignment
Feedback on Benchmark Assignment Rough Draft
Review the benchmark assignment directions.  Based on your assignments submitted in Topics 1- 4, complete any revisions as appropriate, including incorporating feedback from your instructor, and submit a rough draft of the benchmark assignment to your instructor.
In addition, share your rough draft with your CLC. Use the feedback as preparation for and revision of your final benchmark assignment.
Prepare this assignment according to the GCU guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 8 Assignment
Classroom Webpage or Blog
For this assignment, use the same grade level you selected in Topic 2 and the “Class Profile.”
Create a classroom webpage or blog that could be shared at the beginning of the school year with parents/guardians and students.
Be creative, and include the following:
An introduction of yourself:
Provide brief background information about your professional life, including your professional qualifications.
Provide a brief overview of your teaching philosophy.
An explanation of your classroom engagement and management plan with examples of:
Classroom behavioral expectations for students, including digital citizenship.
Content that students will be learning.
Additional practices and policies that parents/guardians and students would want to know regarding late work, tardiness, extra credit options, grade checks, concerns with academics, expectations for homework each night, office hours, extra help time, etc.
Rules and consequences.
Reward system.
How students will be graded.
How and when you plan to communicate with parents/guardians regularly.
How and when parents/guardians may access you.
Provide the URL to your instructor.
GCU style is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 8 Assignment
Benchmark – My Personal Classroom Management Plan
For this benchmark assignment, you will assemble your personal, comprehensive classroom management plan for the students in the “Class Profile.”
Review the instructor feedback on your previous assignments and consider all you have learned throughout this course, including the interaction you have had with classmates and current educators in the field.
Your classroom management plan should consist of the following sections:
Professionalism – In 250-500 words, analyze how your professional decisions and actions affect students, families, and other professionals in the learning community.  Include examples of professional interactions with various stakeholders including students, parents, co-workers, and administrators.
Student Engagement Strategies – In 250-500 words, summarize three strategies that foster active engagement and create supportive learning environments. Include how these strategies meet, or can be differentiated to meet, the various needs presented in the “Class Profile.”
My Philosophy of Classroom Management – Write a 150-200 word description of the culture you will promote in your classroom applying age-appropriate theories of motivation and behavior among elementary students to create learning environments that support individual students’ development, acquisition of knowledge, and motivation.
Classroom Procedures – Include five procedures from the “Classroom Procedures” assignment (one of which must address digital citizenship) and indicate how you will systematically teach classroom routines consistent with principles of effective classroom management and human motivation and behavior. Include a 200-250 word rationale that explains how the procedures will help create opportunities for students’ active engagement in learning, self-motivation, positive social interaction, and supportive learning environments.
Rules, Consequences, and Reward System – List and explain your classroom rules.  Include a 200-250 word rationale that explains how the system will help create opportunities for students’ active engagement in learning, self-motivation, positive social interaction, and supportive learning environments.
Communication with Parents/Guardians – Identify three ways you will communicate with parents to establish and maintain a positive collaborative relationship that promotes the intellectual, social, emotional, physical growth, and well-being of students. Include a 150-200 word rationale for each of the three forms of communication.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 9 Assignment
Clinical Field Experience Verification Form
Candidates must complete all programmatic requirements, including practicum/field experience hours defined in their coursework. Additional information about practicum/field experiences can be found on the Student Success Center.
To earn credit for this assignment, all required course hours must be completed and submitted by the assignment due date.
Access the Clinical Field Experience Verification Form in the My Documents section in the Student Portal.
Complete all required fields on the Clinical Field Experience Verification Form.
Submit by clicking “click to sign.” An email will be sent to the classroom teacher/mentor to complete and verify the practicum/field experiences.
Communicate with the classroom teacher/mentor to request he or she verify the practicum/field experience. Once verified by the classroom teacher/mentor, an email will be sent to the candidate’s primary email address on file with the final completed document.
Save a pdf copy of the completed Clinical Field Experience Verification Form to your computer.
Submit the Clinical Field Experience Verification Form to LoudCloud.
*The data entered into this document is subject to a verification audit. Candidates who engage in fabricating, falsifying, forging, altering, or inventing information related to practicum/field experiences, internships, clinical practice, and/or any associated documentation may be subject to sanctions for violating GCU academic integrity policies, which may include expulsion from GCU.
 
ELM250 Creating and Managing Engaging Learning Environments
 Week 9 Assignment
CLC – Legal Issues in Education
This is a Collaborative Learning Community assignment.
Imagine that your principal has asked your group to prepare a mini professional development session that can be presented to your teacher colleagues during lunch. In your group, address the following topic:
Digital citizenship (digital communication, digital literacy, digital etiquette, digital law, digital rights and responsibilities, and digital security)
and select 2 additional topics from the list below:
Bullying, including on and off campus
Searches of students (drugs, weapons, cellphones, etc.)
Teachers’ duties (supervision, instruction, safety of students, warning of known dangers) and failure to perform those duties
Teacher’s responsibilities regarding inclusion, compliance with IEPs and students with exceptionalities
Reporting requirements for suspected child abuse
FERPA and students’ privacy rights
Based on your research, prepare a 15-20 slide PowerPoint to teach your colleagues about the topics you selected.  As part of your presentation, include a scenario for each topic that you will pose to the group to guide your presentation on the effect of laws on the selected topics.  
Support your presentation with three scholarly resources.
In addition, create a title slide, reference slides, and slide notes that provide detailed explanations of your scenarios and application of the law.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the GCU Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite.