What characteristic defines a self-contained classroom?

A self-contained classroom is defined by having a single teacher who teaches most, if not all, subjects to the same group of students. This model allows for a consistent learning environment where students can develop strong relationships with their teacher and peers, foster a sense of community, and benefit from a cohesive curriculum that is tailored to their specific group. The teacher has the opportunity to integrate subjects meaningfully and adapt instruction to meet the needs of the students more effectively.

The other characteristics mentioned, such as having multiple teachers for different subjects or rotating classes among different classrooms, do not align with the concept of a self-contained classroom. In contrast, the structure of having a specialized teacher for each subject also deviates from the self-contained approach, where one teacher takes on broader instructional responsibilities.