NAME: Giselle Madrigal TARGETED GRADE LEVEL: Pre-k
For your final project, thoroughly and thoughtfully complete each section of the template. The
completed project should be between 3-5 pages. Please note that the Works Cited page is not included in
the page count.
Formatting Requirements:
• Font: Times New Roman
• Font Size: 12-point
• Spacing: 1.5 or Double-spaced
• Margins: 1 inch on all sides
Be sure to respond to all questions provided in the template. Your responses should be thoughtful, well
organized, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the content.
Part A: Explain your vision for your target learning environment
1. How do you create and maintain a mutually respectful and collaborative class of actively
engaged learners? To create a respectful and collaborative Pre-K classroom, I will implement a
multi-faceted approach that prioritizes student ownership, emotional security, and social scaffolding.
First, I will co-construct "living" classroom agreements with my students; rather than imposing
top-down rules, this strategy leverages Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) and
Following the NAEYC’s guidelines for developmentally appropriate practice means giving kids a
sense of autonomy and helping them feel connected to others. This builds their own internal drive
and makes them feel like they actually belong in the classroom community. To really strengthen the
bond between the teacher and the kids, I’ll use the "Banking Time" technique created by Pianta
, (1999). This involves short, one-on-one play sessions where the kid leads the way. It's based on
Attachment Theory and helps build up a "reserve" of trust that makes everything else in the
classroom run smoother, reduces disruptive behavior and increases engagement. I'll also use a
Persona Doll curriculum to help the kids learn empathy. Derman-Sparks and Edwards (2010) found
that this anti-bias method allows little kids to work through social situations and their own life
experiences from a safe distance, helping turn their diverse backgrounds into a way to teach fairness
to the whole class. Finally, I’ll help them work together by "scaffolding" their activities within what
Vygotsky (1978) calls the Zone of Proximal Development. Basically, I’ll pair kids with different
strengths so everyone can contribute something important. By mixing all these strategies together,
I’m making a classroom that focuses on the kids' needs for safety and belonging while still
celebrating who they are and where they come from.
2. What strategies will you use to build relationships with students? Include at least 3
strategies. To build real relationships in a Pre-K classroom, I’m going to use three research-based
strategies that focus on making kids feel safe and involved. First, I’ll use the "Banking Time" method
from Robert C. Pianta (1999). This is basically just hanging out and playing with a kid one-on-one
without trying to teach or boss them around. It’s based on Attachment Theory, and the idea is that
you’re "banking" positive vibes so that if things get stressful later, you already have a solid bond to
For your final project, thoroughly and thoughtfully complete each section of the template. The
completed project should be between 3-5 pages. Please note that the Works Cited page is not included in
the page count.
Formatting Requirements:
• Font: Times New Roman
• Font Size: 12-point
• Spacing: 1.5 or Double-spaced
• Margins: 1 inch on all sides
Be sure to respond to all questions provided in the template. Your responses should be thoughtful, well
organized, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the content.
Part A: Explain your vision for your target learning environment
1. How do you create and maintain a mutually respectful and collaborative class of actively
engaged learners? To create a respectful and collaborative Pre-K classroom, I will implement a
multi-faceted approach that prioritizes student ownership, emotional security, and social scaffolding.
First, I will co-construct "living" classroom agreements with my students; rather than imposing
top-down rules, this strategy leverages Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000) and
Following the NAEYC’s guidelines for developmentally appropriate practice means giving kids a
sense of autonomy and helping them feel connected to others. This builds their own internal drive
and makes them feel like they actually belong in the classroom community. To really strengthen the
bond between the teacher and the kids, I’ll use the "Banking Time" technique created by Pianta
, (1999). This involves short, one-on-one play sessions where the kid leads the way. It's based on
Attachment Theory and helps build up a "reserve" of trust that makes everything else in the
classroom run smoother, reduces disruptive behavior and increases engagement. I'll also use a
Persona Doll curriculum to help the kids learn empathy. Derman-Sparks and Edwards (2010) found
that this anti-bias method allows little kids to work through social situations and their own life
experiences from a safe distance, helping turn their diverse backgrounds into a way to teach fairness
to the whole class. Finally, I’ll help them work together by "scaffolding" their activities within what
Vygotsky (1978) calls the Zone of Proximal Development. Basically, I’ll pair kids with different
strengths so everyone can contribute something important. By mixing all these strategies together,
I’m making a classroom that focuses on the kids' needs for safety and belonging while still
celebrating who they are and where they come from.
2. What strategies will you use to build relationships with students? Include at least 3
strategies. To build real relationships in a Pre-K classroom, I’m going to use three research-based
strategies that focus on making kids feel safe and involved. First, I’ll use the "Banking Time" method
from Robert C. Pianta (1999). This is basically just hanging out and playing with a kid one-on-one
without trying to teach or boss them around. It’s based on Attachment Theory, and the idea is that
you’re "banking" positive vibes so that if things get stressful later, you already have a solid bond to
