First off my ideal class to teach would be a creative writing course. This is for a few reasons. I know that this isn't a given but since it is an elective course the students will want to be there. In other required classes there is often resentment from the get go because they didn't choose to be in that class. I also feel the most passion for this topic and think that will make me a better teacher.
Because I am so excited to teach it the atmosphere would most always be up-beat. The theme would be creativity. A place where poets, essayists, sci-fiers, and romantics could come and display their work without fear of judgment outside that of constructive criticism. I would treat all of the students equally and so make it a safe environment where writers could push their own boundaries and fail and still learn from it.
I would use dozens of quick writing strategies to start of each class, from journal writes, to tangent stories. Group work and peer reviews will be a must. I also will have students get into groups and create a themed blog, which must include a work from each student on a theme, that are all tied together by the blog.
My physical atmosphere will be books. As many as I can lay my hands on. And since the first few minutes of just about every class will be free writing, I will probably have various types of music playing.
