Comet Times
L.O. Donald Staff Newsletter
Negative Climate
Last week, we looked at the characteristics of positive climate and how to create a more positive environment. Sometimes it is easiest to define a quality by looking at its opposite. Let's look at the indicators of a negative climate and learn how to reduce negativity in our classrooms.
What is it?
Negative climate refers to the level of expressed negativity such as anger, hostility or aggression shown by teachers and/or children. In classrooms with a negative climate, teachers and children appear angry or irritated and make sarcastic or disrespectful comments. Teachers may yell or threaten to control children's behavior. In classrooms with severe negative climate, teachers or children may hit or fight.
Why is it important?
Children learn better and develop positive social-emotional skills in environments free from aggression and threats to physical and emotional safety. Working to other dimensions of emotional support can help decrease negative climate/
Indicators of Positive Climate
1. Negative Affect
- irritability
- anger
- harsh voice
- peer aggression
- yelling
- threats
- physical control
- harsh punishment
- sarcastic voice/statement
- teasing
- humiliation
- victimization
- bullying
How can I reduce negative climate in my classroom?
- Build strong relationships with each child in your classroom to make them feel safe and secure.
- Think about how and why negativity happens in your classroom. Ask yourself: "When and why does this child display negative behaviors? Do I react with irritation? Why do I do this?" Then, come up with a plan to diminish it.
- Spend one-on-one time with children who present challenging and/or negative behavior to provide the extra support and attention they need build trust with you.
- When a child behaves in a negative way, calmly intervene and clearly let the child know the behavior is unacceptable. Talk one-on-one about what happened and give alternatives to dealing with intense emotions.
- Implement positive, proactive behavior management strategies. Plan ahead to prevent misbehavior whenever possible. When you do need to respond to negative behavior, use low reactivity by keeping your face and demeanor calm and directly stating the behavior you expect.
- Take care of yourself! When you feel overwhelmed or fatigued, you are more likely to react with irritation. Find ways to relax and decompress.
You impress me every day with how you respond to children and with the positive and supportive environments you have created so they can thrive. Keep up the outstanding work!
You are the difference-makers!
~ Kathryn
Thank You & Great Job! to:
- Our TAs for coordinating with and organizing Brighter Bites!
- Ms. Johnson for sponsoring and leading the L.O. Donald Destination Imagination team!
- The Tremendous Writing Team for scoring the 4th grade compositions and mentoring our young writers!
- Ms. Wood for painting the decorations in the auditorium!
- All of you for making our Valentine Exchanges so successful!
L.O. Donald Book Fair - February 12-22, 2016!!!
Monday, February 15, 2016
- No School - Presidents' Day
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
- Class Picture Day
- 1:00-1:50 Special Education PLC - M. Cavazos, A. McMillian, & E. Tolleson
- 2:00-4:00 District-wide Counselors' meeting - N. Hagler
- 3:15-4:30 PD: TELPAS Rater in the upstairs computer lab
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
- 12:10-12:50 Math Planning - 3rd grade - M. Crossland, N. Rodriguez & J. Johnson
- 1:00-1:45 Math Planning - 4th grade - L. Green, A. Gonzalez & J. Johnson
- 1:00-5:00 Districtwide Principals' meeting - K. Carter
- 3:15-4:30 PD: TELPAS Rater in the upstairs computer lab
- 3:30-4:00 Staff ZUMBA! in the gym
Thursday, February 18, 2016
- 9:00-4:00 Focus School training at Region 10 - K. Carter
- 8:50-9:40 PLC Lesson Plan Feedback - 2nd grade
- 9:45-10:35 PLC Lesson Plan Feedback - Kindergarten
- 10:40-11:30 PLC Lesson Plan Feedback - 1st grade
- 12:05-12:55 PLC Lesson Plan Feedback - 3rd grade
- 1:00-1:50 PLC Lesson Plan Feedback - 4th grade
- 1:55-2:45 PLC Lesson Plan Feedback - 5th grade
- 1:30-3:30 Brighter Bites
- 3:15-4:00 After-School Tutoring
- 3:15-4:45 Girls Scouts in the auditorium
- 6:00-7:00 PTO - Student Performance - 2nd grade
Friday, February 19, 2016
- Book Fair!!!
- End of 4th 6 weeks
- 8:00-4:00 Research in Mathematics Education Conference - J. Johnson
Saturday, February 20, 2016
- Saturday School
UPCOMING EVENTS
- 2/22 Beginning of the 5th 6 weeks
- 2/22 PD: Taking the STAAR
- 2/23 Campus Instructional Leadership Team meeting
- 2/24 TELPAS Test Coordinator training - N. Hagler
- 2/25 Brighter Bites
- 2/26 Parent Lunch
- 2/26 Purposeful Activity Centers training - K-2 BE
2016 Spring ACP Film Festival
L.O. Donald Elementary
Email: kacarter@dallasisd.org
Website: www.dallasisd.org/donald
Location: 1218 Phinney Avenue, Dallas, TX 75211
Phone: 972-794-5300
L.O. Donald 2015-16 Goals
- 80% of students will meet the passing standard on STAAR reading/math in grades 3-5.
- 80% of students will meet the passing standard on STAAR writing in grade 4.
- 85% of students will meet the passing standard on STAAR science in grade 5.
- 80% of students will perform on or above grade level on the Iowa/Logramos K-2