Teacher is aware of and celebrates diversity, encourages appreciation of diversity, and demonstrates sensitivity through communications and actions. Listens to students and demonstrates interest in what they are saying by responding appropriately. Teachers make time to listen to individual students and show a sincere interest in what they are saying. Teacher demonstrates active listening skills, listening carefully and attentively to gain information that students share. Teacher does not respond to students' comments.
Teacher is inconsistent in responding to what students are saying.
Teacher looks at students and acknowledges with brief verbal and nonverbal feedback what they are sharing. Teacher responds to students with appropriate verbal feedback by summarizing what students have shared. Builds and sustains a classroom climate of acceptance, encouraging creativity, inquisitiveness and risk-taking. Without a classroom climate that encourages inquiry and risk-taking, little critical, creative, or higher level thinking can take place. The teacher builds a climate of openness where students feel free to express and try out ideas.