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Personal Classroom Management Model

Tara Graham 130256 Classroom Management Brandon University Fall 2013

It is my belief that the public education system most of all needs to cater to the children that are subjected to it. The four overall goals that I think the public education system should have include ethical instruction, evaluation, and assessments, followed by a standard curriculum nationwide to ensure equality amongst the contestants when it comes time to embark upon the professional world, as well as appropriate, effective, differentiated instruction in order to ensure that all students are learning the correct materials in a format most suitable to their learning needs and personality, and last but not least, I believe they should focus on maintaining and monitoring a structured, positive, engaging, training program to educate and inform future teachers properly to ensure that all new teachers are confident and filled with ideas, strategies, techniques, and methods to teach to individual students needs. While the goals of a school system are important, as much so or more important is that the individual teacher has productive goals that he/she strives to achieve day in and day out. One of these goals should be establishing a positive culture and respectful classroom environment. Four key elements that are critical in the development of this culture of respect are clearly defining expectations, and consequences so everyone is aware of what their role in the classroom is, encouraging students to be involved in their own learning by allowing them to contribute to expectations, rules, lessons, and so on, being fair and consistent in enforcing said expectations in an equal respectable manner, and finally, make it clear that each person in the classroom is an individual, and we are all unique, and should all be respected despite our differences to encourage a friendly, positive classroom environment. Classroom management is the key to maintaining a positive classroom with a culture or respect and enthusiasm. For me, good classroom management is what is crucial to avoid having to use classroom discipline. To me, classroom discipline is a less effective solution, as it wastes valuable time trying to teach something that should have been established since day one. Good classroom management would involve the use of both verbal and non verbal cues in an effort to maintain a culture of respect. For example, if two students were talking when they should be listening, rather than stopping everyone to address the issue, I would make use of a non verbal cue, and I would keep going with the lesson or instruction and simply walk over to the students and just stand right next to or above them so that they would see that I have recognized their inappropriate action, and then they would hopefully alter their behaviour. A second example of when I might try a non verbal cue, would be if it was visibly obvious to me that the class was getting too antsy or bored with the task at hand. I would induce a change of pace in the activity that they were working on, perhaps give them something more fitting to the body/kinesthetic learning style so that they could shift gears and engage in something different to keep them from acting out. Finally, another example when I might use a non verbal cue as opposed to disrupting the whole class would be if a student was not on task. I would just linger around that students work area to keep them on task without interrupting the work of everyone around them. While non verbal cues are important and helpful to keep the class in general on task, sometimes a verbal cue is necessary. If a student was being distracting to a number of others in the classroom, I would use a verbal cue. I would stop what was being taught, have everyone listen, ask students to identify the problem, and what the consequence to not

meeting that expectation is, and then follow through with that consequence to the student who is causing the distraction. The earlier this happens the better to instill that the classroom expectations were serious, and should be taken seriously. Another time I might use verbal cues is if a student was being a bully to another student, once again to make sure the class understands that that type of behaviour will not be tolerated. I would make certain to clarify that the behaviour is inappropriate and wrong, not that the student is bad. A third situation where I could see myself having to use a verbal cue would be if I had tried a multitude of non verbal cues, and the student was just not picking up on them. If this was the case, I would politely remind the student that his/her behaviour is not in line with the expectations for a culture of respect within our classroom, and ask them to please change their behaviour that is inappropriate for something that would be acceptable according to our expectations. The first day, week, and even month of school are crucial for implementing your classroom management plan and instilling a culture or respect within the classroom. My specialization is in the area of early years education. Going out as a new teacher, some of the procedures that I would use during the first week of school would include constructing an anchor chart of what I would call expectations, because expectations sound more encouraging and less tempting to counter than rules. I would make this list together with input of students so they know that when they are reminded to keep the expectations in mind they know what is being referred to and that it was partially their idea. I would spend a lot of time discussing the importance of a kind, respectful environment amongst students, and teachers. We would also need to discuss details of consequences that would result if the expectations were not met. I would then spend a fair amount of time getting to know each student and their personalities so that I could gauge what type of learning occurs, so I would have a better idea of how to teach my group of kids. The students need to understand that I am there to teach them to the best that I can, and that I will try my hardest to help them learn, and also know that I will expect them to make their best effort to understand and learn the material being taught, and ask questions where clarification or further instruction is required. While I would encourage and acknowledge student input in regards to ideas for the rules of the classroom, I would have a set of rules that I would not let be left out. If I was an early years teacher, I would not have a list of expectations that did not include, treat others the way you would like to be treated, listen and follow directions carefully, work quietly without disrupting your neighbours, and respect school and personal belongings. In order to implement these four important expectations, I would spend a great length of time the first day of school explaining the importance of these expectations, as well as asking what other ideas would should add to them. I would write them on a chart and display it in a visible location in the classroom for students to refer back to. On a daily basis until I was sure that the students were confident in understanding and meeting the expectations, we would spend a few minutes reviewing how we are working on establishing a classroom with a culture of respect and a positive learning environment. Lastly, again with students input and suggestions, we would come up with consequences for when the expectations are not met. I will ensure that students understand that these consequences are not empty threats, that they will be incurred if the expectation is not met. Some of these consequences may include,

staying in for part of recess, having to help the teacher clean up, having to miss out on certain fun activities, or simply having to apologize for the misbehaviour (which can sometimes feel like the most punishing of all things). When consequences are given, due to students misbehaviour, this misbehaviour should be appropriately documented. Depending on the severity of the incidence, it is important that each teacher keeps a record of his/her students as they progress through school so that if ever there are any bigger or underlying issues appear, they can track behaviour to see where it may have originated. For me, I think the easiest way is to keep a file for each child organized by date of entry. While it is important for a teacher to maintain a good rapport with his/her students, it is equally important that the parents of your students feel appreciated, informed, valued, and acknowledged. I think that a good way to start the year would be to send a short note home to each childs parents. I think that it is important that parents know that as a teacher you have the same a parent wasnt confident or comfortable approaching me, I would take the initiative and make that phone call to prove that I am very accepting and open to feedback and input from parents, after all, they know their children best! If I was making my first phone call to a household, I would ask for either Mom or Dad, and say who I was, that I am their son/daughters teacher at school, and that I just wanted to touch base about what kinds of things I had planned in the classroom for the school year, what the main expectations were, and to make sure that they comfortable understand that I am very approachable for any issues of any kind. Aside from written or verbal communication, another effective way for parents and teachers to communicate would be through parent teacher conferences. Depending on the nature of the conference (whether its a negative behaviour issue, or just a standard bi-annual meeting), preparation may differ, however the important point is regardless of the reason for the meeting, the teacher needs to be fully prepared with the facts and evidence of what he/she is stating. Some examples of things to have prepared would be examples of students work (good or bad), feedback given, assessments, and if the meeting is for a negative behaviour, I would be armed with the records and evidence of the troublesome actions. For me, the most effective method would be to organize things chronologically. I think its important that in this type of conference, everyone feels equally valued and that each opinion is welcome and considered, its a conference, not a lecture. For this reason, I would try to set conferences up at a round table where no one would be put on the spot. At a round table it is easy for everyone to see each other, and it can help to keep communication lines open. If there is a stall in discussion, I think a good idea would be for me as the teacher to have some lines or ideas prepared in advance to pull out as needed to keep the discussion rolling and keep coming up with ideas and solutions. There are a lot of things to consider when planning and preparing for your first classroom, but what I have learned is the most important thing is to be well prepared and have previously anticipated the way you are going to do things in advance. This will eliminate stress, and boost confidence. I look forward to practicing all these strategies, methods, and techniques in my own classroom in the near future.

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