Responsive Classroom

Guiding Principles

The Responsive Classroom approach is informed by the work of educational theorists and the experiences of exemplary classroom teachers. Seven principles guide this approach:

1. Teaching social and emotional skills is as important as teaching academic content.
2. How we teach is as important as what we teach.
3. Great cognitive growth occurs through social interaction.
4. What we know and believe about our students—individually, culturally, developmentally—informs our expectations, reactions, and attitudes about those students.
5. How we work together as adults to create a safe, joyful, and inclusive school environment is as important as our individual contribution or competence.
6. Partnering with families—knowing them and valuing their contributions—is as important as knowing the children we teach.