Secret 2
Respond to 1 of the 3 questions below.
Please answer by October 9, 2009.
2. 1. How many classroom Rules are necessary to manage a classroom? Which procedures are critical to your classroom success?
2.2. Discuss your reaction to Page 33, concerning effective and ineffective ways to handle a situation.
2.3. What are your secret(s) to effective classroom management?
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Set the ground rules from the beginning and remind them often that you are the one holding the degree, they are the ones that are there to learn! And then of course, show compassion, concern, and be a good listener. Modeling what you expect back from them!
ReplyDelete2.3 Effective classroom management is easy when the teacher knows where students are going and keeps students learning. When planning a lesson, plan more than you need. I use a variety of techniques when teaching. I try to reach every learner and check for understanding often. I make it relevant by giving examples where they may use the lesson "Why are we learning this stuff?" I keep students involved. I keep students as active as possible to keep their attention. I adjust if I see something happening in the lesson they may be confused with. This may happen from 2nd hour to 3rd hour. My 2nd hour class may "get it" but my 3rd hour class may take more time or a different approach. I truly think the most effective tool is to "think like a 6th grader". I keep them on their toes by sharing stories that lets students know I am on top of things. I am human and I understand. It is wonderful when I see their "ah ha" moments.
ReplyDelete2.1 Although, unusual, I don't have any classroom rules - I have expectations. I put them on the syllabus at the beginning of the school year and give examples of that at the time. Expectations make it easier to flexible to the students needs. Rules seem too black and white/right or wrong. In the future, I am hoping to fully integrate my expectations with the STRIPES program.
ReplyDeleteProcedures essential for my classroom: allowing the students to become responsible for their own actions whenever possible (ex: getting own late work), writing in agenda and bell work when they come in, working well all students in the classroom with comment or complaint.
2.1 I have four basic rules. 1. Be prepared to learn 2. Allow others to learn. 3. Follow safety procedures and 4. Respect school property. The first two are to encourage bringing supplies to class and for proper behavior so that others can learn. The last two might be more specific to my class in the safety and treating the school property with respect are essential to a successful lab experience. Procedures in my classroom involve how to turn in papers, where to store projects, how students manage lab experiences, as well as fire and tornado drills. Routines and procedures are important so the students know what is expected of them.
ReplyDeleteI have found that setting the tone the first week of school is key. This doesn’t mean not smiling until Christmas, but rather taking the opportunity to present your expectations. Students need to know what you expect from them in the classroom academically and socially. Stick to the basics when implementing rules and enforce why these rules/expectations are in place. Most importantly, know your students. Understanding who they are helps build the relationship between teacher and student.
ReplyDelete2.3 What are your secrets to effective classroom management?
ReplyDeleteI went to a conference this summer called "Motivating the Unmotivated." The majority of the conference, however, dealt with classroom management. This was fine, as I am still working on this in my classroom. The best thing that I took away from the conference to use the words, "choice/choose", "decision," and "option," daily in instruction and discipline. For example, one could say, "You made the decision to be late for class two days in a row, so you choose to recieve a detention." I think the point is to pick your words carefully to help students remember that they have control over thier actions.
2.3 I don't think it would be considered a secret, but I think all students know when a teacher doesn't have any expections or management procedures in place right from the beginning. It is so important to communicate with students your expectations from day one. It is much easier for students to know how to react if they can tell that you have put some thought into the process. They make choices everyday and need to be informed of the consequences that each choice holds. As a 6th grade teacher, it is very challenging and difficult to train students what is expected at the middle school level. Planning ahead by the teacher is essential.
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ReplyDelete2.1- I think classroom rules should be as few as possible so the students know they are important and that also makes them easier to remember. I have 3 rules in my room. The rest of my expectations I would call procedures. Procedures are very important and I think things go so much better in a classroom if students just know what to expect and do. My special education students don't like change and when I set up routine for them they get more done and don't feel anxious. I do have to take the time, usually the first several weeks, before they have the routine figured out, but once they do know, they remember. I think it is well worth the time to get procedures taught because it will save you time later.
ReplyDelete2.3 I think my most effective tips for classroom management is to be diligent in reminding kids when they are not meeting the expectations, especially younger students. Sixth and eighth grade students are different. As the year goes on, sixth grade students need less and less reminding, and they tend to become more responsible. If they feel like the teacher is trying to help them, and not trying to catch them doing something wrong, they are more likely to exhibit the proper behaviors, and meet classroom expectations. Procedures need to be re-emphasized regularly as well. As kids change classes six or seven times a day, their procedures vary, and they may inadvertently do something out of the ordinary. Reminding them of the expected procedure is a way they can feel safe in correcting the behavior. Again, this is more for the younger students.
ReplyDelete2.1. Since I am not in the classroom on a consistent basis I approach classroom rules a little differently. Mostly, I think like a coach when I am in the classroom. In the beginning of each lesson I emphasize what we are going to work on that day, I explain how we are going to learn & practice that skill, then I reinforce the character trait I am looking for as we move through each activity. I keep it simple. For example, if my goal is to teach about bullying prevention - I let them know that I am looking for comments that build people up that day. My hope is that I am consistent enough that they understand my additional expectations in addition to those of their classroom teacher.
ReplyDelete2.3 My secrets to classroom management: 1. Get to know the students and let them know you. 2. At the beginning of the school year I have the students brainstorm classroom rules they remember from the past, and then I ask them to write down what they think 7th Grade Science should look like. I go through their comments and find the most popular responses. We recite these “Classroom Covenants” on a daily basis.
ReplyDeleteAt the beginning of the school year I give each student a copy of "Mrs. Roth's Expectations". This is basically what are my procedures for the year. The first is to be on time and prepared for class. The second is to be respectful to self, others, and to school property. The third is to work hard in and out of the classroom. The fourth is to be responsible about getting and completing makeup work. There are other unwritten procedures like how to enter and leave the classroom, how to head and complete assignments, and how to turn in daily assignments. I feel that teachers at CCCMS have similar procedures so that the students know what is expected. If the students know the procedures, there is not a need for a list of rules.
ReplyDelete2.1 The fewer rules the better. Middle School students need consistency and a daily order to their lives. Without it they feel insecure. When I taught 7th grade, I believe I had 4 basic classroom rules. In the library, there are basically 2 rules dealing with behavior. If you have too many classroom rules, it becomes cumbersome and hard to remember.
ReplyDelete2.1 In my classroom, procedures are very important. Sometimes I wonder if I spend too much time on them at the beginning of the year but it definitely makes class run a lot smoother. Honestly, most of our detentions result from not following school rules (the gum thing being number one). There really are not many rules listed in the band handbook, most are really just procedures. If students know what is expected of them discipline problems really are not a problem.
ReplyDelete2.2 Reading this really made me think about how I have been handling students and procedures this year. It is good to be reminded how to handle a procedure infraction in a professional manner. I like the way the teacher handled the "practice" time and then the idea of not having any sarcasm in her voice while visiting about the procedure is something I need to keep in mind!
ReplyDeleteThe true key to management is consistency. It is true in the classroom and in life.
I think one should have a few general rules to follow, as well as a set of specific rules for your classroom. One of my "big" rules is when the teacher is talking, your eyes and ears are on the teacher. One must be consistent with rules and make sure you establish the rules the first few days of class. One teacher told me "Don't let them see you smile until Christmas". I think the point is, don't try to befriend your students, but be fair and consistent early on.
ReplyDeleteI start each year with a few of the basic procedures for my classroom. I have expectations for my students rather than rules. I also tried to have the students input into the classroom rules. I have them brainstorm the first day about what the rules of our classroom should be. I found an idea that I would like to try next year incorporating the students rules with the idea of classroom declaration we post the rules and the students all sign the declaration. One idea that I could include would be to discuss consequences with the students to determine what those might be if rules are not followed. I don't believe that you should have any more than five rules in your classroom.
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