The biggest evidence that a classroom is a positive learning environment is if the children are enjoying learning. The atmosphere of the classroom must be relaxed and nonthreatening and replete with activities that facilitate student engagement and promote inquisition and discovery. Books, colorful posters, art supplies, music and an array of manipulatives should consume the classroom.
Chaos breeds chaos. To provide the optimal learning environment, students should be exposed to a neat environment that can be described by "a place for everything and everything in its place." Order in the classroom environment will promote order in the classroom atmosphere. Order to the physical environment and order to the social atmosphere go hand in hand. Additionally, keeping the classroom orderly and insisting that students participate in the care of the classroom helps them take ownership of the learning environment.
If a classroom is truly positive, evidence of student work will be a mainstay. A positive learning environment is one that not only encourages student performance but also one that showcases student effort and achievement. It is essential that elementary school teachers seize the opportunity to help students take pride in their performance. Taking pride in one's accomplishments is one of the life skills that elementary students need to learn, so that pride might inspire future accomplishment.
To create a positive classroom environment, facilitate instruction and reduce class disruption, the elementary school teacher should explain and post academic and behavior expectations and consequences. Elementary school is a time when children begin to grasp the concepts of expectations and consequences. This is a grand opportunity for teachers to demonstrate those concepts and ensure some predictability to the school day. However, a teacher must be consistent in the application of consequences for students to grasp the relationship.