Positive and Engaging Learning Environments Western
Governors University
A. Select one of the scenarios from the Scenarios section above:
Scenario 4: During a guest speaker presentation, a group of students repeatedly interrupted the
speaker by asking off-topic questions, making irrelevant comments, and using their phones,
which disrupted the presentation flow and affected the learning environment. The guest
speaker and other students were visibly frustrated, highlighting a gap in students'
understanding of appropriate behavior during such special events. Reflecting on this incident,
the teacher realized that the class needed to revisit classroom norms, routines, and
expectations for student conduct during future guest speaker sessions to maintain a healthy and
positive learning environment.
1. Design an activity for a specific grade level or range that fosters a healthy classroom
environment based on student needs and your classroom norms, routines, and expectations.
I picked scenario four. I would create this activity for seventh graders. I picked seventh grade
because that is the grade level I have been working with this year as a paraprofessional. I am
picking an activity that I would call “Be the Speaker”. This is a role-playing activity done with a
small group of students. I would break them up into groups of three to five. They can choose
who they want to be with in their groups. I would give each group a topic to discuss. The groups
would have 10 minutes to prepare. Groups will go one at a time to perform their role play in
front of the classroom. While they are presenting, the groups of students in the “audience” will
also have roles. Some groups will be told to make noise and not pay attention to the group
speaking. Some groups will be told to have good behavior and practice the expectations they
should have when someone is there to present. I will go over the expectations beforehand as a