The purpose of this blog is for students in EDM 510 to communicate on various ideas to enhance teaching and learning.
Effective classroom management has been and continues to be one of the most challenging tasks for educators. My personal philosophy on classroom management is, "If you can't manage behavior, you can't manage to teach." Throughout my short tenure as a classroom teacher, I have held that philosophy near to my heart. I have a few classroom management items that I absolutely can not teach without. 1)Firm, Fair, and Consistent: Once rules, policies, and procedures are established; they must be executed in the same manner at all times. 2)Use your normal voice: Yelling and screaming only gets you(the teacher) tired. It also adds to the noise level in the classroom. 3)Establish nonverbal cues: In my classroom, a signal I need everyone quiet and ready for instructions is I raise my hand. The students raise their hands as a response they are ready to listen. I begin speaking when all hands are raised, and the classroom is absolutely quiet. 4)Praise and appreciate the students: When you thank students for appropriate behaviors, they exhibit those behaviors more often. They love to hear positive praise. Explain some classroom management tips you have used or plan to use with your current and or future students. Provide a brief explanation similar to the examples above.
Hi Jathany,
ReplyDeleteThose classroom management strategies sound great. I am not a teacher yet, and classroom management is one of the things that I am most nervous about. I feel like my classes have done a great job about teaching me how to integrate technology in the classroom, promote literacy in the classroom, and think about activities that are going to appeal to different learning styles, but I haven't learned much about classroom management strategies yet. One strategy that I did learn about though that I think would be good to use in the classroom is a Classroom Contract that lays out what the teacher's expectations are for the class. Sometimes it covers everything from classroom behaviors to the reading schedule. They are usually signed and turned in by the students and sometimes even the parents. I think it's good to be upfront with students about what you expect from them and to explain it in a clear and concise manner. If you don't clearly tell them what you want from them, how can we expect them to be successful? They aren't mind readers.
Mallory,
DeleteA contract for behavior and expectations is a great idea. I remember signing one in middle school math. We placed the grade we thought we could achieve at the end of the quarter. If we achieved the grade, a special prize was given by the teacher. The one thing I would suggest is to have the students come up with what behaviors are expected in the classroom and what is not expected. I have found that if students take ownership of things, they are more likely to display the desired responses.
Those are really great points you two have made. As I have only previously been in the classroom as a substitute teacher, I don't feel that I have much experience with classroom management and that was years ago. The teachers I subbed for had specific lessons and plans they wanted me to present to the class. I do remember that I did not need to raise my voice much once I told the students what I expected. I always reinforced the positives. I would come into a class and say something to the effect that I heard that they were the best class in the school (or grade level). That seemed to work wonders for the elementary and middle grade levels.
ReplyDeleteHigh school is where I found some challenges. That's the group that seems to love to rebel and question authority but the few who did challenge my classroom flow seemed to question how certain things pertained to them and couldn't see the relevance right away.
One thing I did see often (when I was a sub) was the use of candy or toy treats towards positive reinforcement and incentives. I'm not big on sugar as a currency in classroom management, but I know that some students are motivated more with some sort of incentive, even though they should be demonstrating proper behaviors at a certain age without coercion or bribery from the teacher.
Kesia,
DeleteBefore I was a classroom teacher, I worked as a substitute as well. There is nothing like your own kids (students). Middle school students sometimes display the behaviors that you experienced with high school students. Candy and treats get expensive, so we (the team of teachers I work with) have some rewards in place. Students are allowed to sit with their friends during lunch, during homeroom students may go to a friend's class until the beginning of first period, and students may obtain a free homework pass/ free reading night pass. I agree that students should display proper behavior, but often they need positive reinforcement to encourage the desired behavior.
Jathany,
ReplyDeleteThe classroom management strategies you shared are great! In the brief experiences that I have had, I establishing the procedures in the first days are essential. It is important that you also model the procedures, and give students time to practice. I also have used a non-verbal cue to let the students know, I want their attention. When I walk to the podium in the front of the room, they are supposed to stop what they are doing and wait for my instructions. To practice this, i have the students talk to each other, then I walk to the podium and wait until the room is quiet before I being instructions.
I agree that yelling is exhausting and adds to the noise. I have found that when you speak at normal tone, they quiet down and really focus on what you are saying. I don't have much experience, but I wish there was a course for new teachers on classroom management. I am so grateful for the books that are available. I also love hearing what works form teachers who have been in the field for a while. Jathany, it definitely sounds like you have a great system in place. Thank for sharing.
Norleisha,
DeleteEstablishing procedures the first day of school is the best way. Also, inviting the students to assist in classroom rules/ procedures gives them a sense of ownership in making decisions for the classroom. Yes, using a normal tone keeps you sane, and the students in order. I love that you actively practice rules and expectations. I am going to borrow this idea for next year.