Building a Positive Environment : Reflecting on Interventions in the Classroom

Research indicates the positive outcomes of keeping a teaching journal to reflect on and develop teaching beliefs and practices (Richards & Farrell, 2005).This article reflects on a teaching journal that was kept for 11 weeks on a class with low participation and communication skills.With the combination of a teaching journal, action research, and peer coaching, various interventions were made and reflected on to continuously find ways to create a more positive environment in class.Issues emerging in the teaching journal were identified, and action plans were collaboratively made through the peer coaching process.Results of these interventions were analyzed and reflected on to create further interventions as necessary.