Per your reading of Chapter 12 in Educational Psychology, identify 3-5 things you intend to do in your own classroom in order to create an environment that is centered on LEARNING.
I think that the first really great idea that I want to implement is teaching my students appropriate participation procedures, just like you would teach behavioral or "house keeping" processes. I think that know when and how to participate isn't something we can just rely on each kid to know automatically because they are coming from different teachers, districts, maybe even states or nations.
As I mentioned above, adopting procedures for the most important and regular events in the daily life of your classroom is paramount to not just a well-behaved class, but a class learning as much as they can. If you set your expectations early, you won't spend all year arguing, debating, and making exceptions.
Finally, I think it's important not to set a blanket group of consequences or punishments, but make students aware of the fact that each action has a consequence, whether it's positive or negative, and no action will go unnoticed. I think students need to know they will be treated fairly, but that doesn't mean identically.
First is all about self-management or self-discipline. I have subbed long enough to know that getting this accomplished is my number one goal. Behavior is the stress killer for me and I am not going to tolerate poor behavior in my classroom. The book said, "the most fundamental purpose of self-discipline is self control." I am going to grind procedures into my students. I will run my class like a learning dojo. And just like in the work world, if you neglect your job then you have a consequence. So it will be in my classroom. They have a work contract and they will have a class contract that emphasizes learning.
Second, I will begin and continue to deal with the behavior and not the student committing it. This means justice will be uniform and they must know it. They have a strong idea of fairness and that must be in play with them all the time. Consequences will be fair and uniform every time. Also, I will show them how certain things are wrong as opposed to how they are 'just wrong.'
Third, the layout of the classroom will be very important for learning. Nearly every secondary classroom I have seen has been set up the same way with the students facing the board and the teacher in front or behind them. If possible, I am not going to use this set up in my classroom. I intend to use a circular or semi-circle or other setup with the seats. This way I can see everybody's face and what they are doing and it should promote a round table discussion atmosphere.
The book points out that management is the most important part of setting an environment for learning. I agree, but I think the number one step should be organization.
If I have my classroom organzied so students know where they and everything else belongs there's no disorder from the minute they walk in the room. If my lesson plans are organized then time management can come in to play and not leave room for getting side-tracked. Also if a substitute is suddenly needed I won't be panicking and my students can go on as planned, and hopefully circumvent any behavior problems for the sub.
I also would have my classroom arranged so that each student is able to work with other students in small groups but have enough personal space that they don't feel too crowded or like someone is encroaching on their own space. Certain spots in the classroom will be designated for important things such as completed assignments and a place for students to pick up their graded papers. My desk will also be an important fixture in the room. I think that it should be easily accessible without too much in the way so that students can approach the desk if needed but that it is out of the way enough that it doesn't get in the way when I'm up teaching and monitoring.
One other thing that I really liked in the book was the classroom Bill of Rights. I think it's important to teach children that they have certain rights and in my classroom those rights are very important. The rights to feel safe and secure when they are learning and being able to ask questions without being ridiculed or cut down for not knowing the answers, those are vital to students learning potential.
My preschool classrooms need to be arranged in a manner to promote learning- with a place for circle time, center time and small group learning. I will need to have a classroom schedule and rules--it is very important with the young children to make sure they learn these items during the first few weeks of school. I also like for children to have classroom duties-- one day John would help put out cots, Sue would help with breakfast, Joe with lunch and we would change duties everyday. The withitness strategy and movement management are also items that I would bring to my classroom.
I think that the first really great idea that I want to implement is teaching my students appropriate participation procedures, just like you would teach behavioral or "house keeping" processes. I think that know when and how to participate isn't something we can just rely on each kid to know automatically because they are coming from different teachers, districts, maybe even states or nations.
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned above, adopting procedures for the most important and regular events in the daily life of your classroom is paramount to not just a well-behaved class, but a class learning as much as they can. If you set your expectations early, you won't spend all year arguing, debating, and making exceptions.
Finally, I think it's important not to set a blanket group of consequences or punishments, but make students aware of the fact that each action has a consequence, whether it's positive or negative, and no action will go unnoticed. I think students need to know they will be treated fairly, but that doesn't mean identically.
First is all about self-management or self-discipline. I have subbed long enough to know that getting this accomplished is my number one goal. Behavior is the stress killer for me and I am not going to tolerate poor behavior in my classroom. The book said, "the most fundamental purpose of self-discipline is self control." I am going to grind procedures into my students. I will run my class like a learning dojo. And just like in the work world, if you neglect your job then you have a consequence. So it will be in my classroom. They have a work contract and they will have a class contract that emphasizes learning.
ReplyDeleteSecond, I will begin and continue to deal with the behavior and not the student committing it. This means justice will be uniform and they must know it. They have a strong idea of fairness and that must be in play with them all the time. Consequences will be fair and uniform every time. Also, I will show them how certain things are wrong as opposed to how they are 'just wrong.'
Third, the layout of the classroom will be very important for learning. Nearly every secondary classroom I have seen has been set up the same way with the students facing the board and the teacher in front or behind them. If possible, I am not going to use this set up in my classroom. I intend to use a circular or semi-circle or other setup with the seats. This way I can see everybody's face and what they are doing and it should promote a round table discussion atmosphere.
The book points out that management is the most important part of setting an environment for learning. I agree, but I think the number one step should be organization.
ReplyDeleteIf I have my classroom organzied so students know where they and everything else belongs there's no disorder from the minute they walk in the room. If my lesson plans are organized then time management can come in to play and not leave room for getting side-tracked. Also if a substitute is suddenly needed I won't be panicking and my students can go on as planned, and hopefully circumvent any behavior problems for the sub.
I also would have my classroom arranged so that each student is able to work with other students in small groups but have enough personal space that they don't feel too crowded or like someone is encroaching on their own space. Certain spots in the classroom will be designated for important things such as completed assignments and a place for students to pick up their graded papers. My desk will also be an important fixture in the room. I think that it should be easily accessible without too much in the way so that students can approach the desk if needed but that it is out of the way enough that it doesn't get in the way when I'm up teaching and monitoring.
DeleteOne other thing that I really liked in the book was the classroom Bill of Rights. I think it's important to teach children that they have certain rights and in my classroom those rights are very important. The rights to feel safe and secure when they are learning and being able to ask questions without being ridiculed or cut down for not knowing the answers, those are vital to students learning potential.
My preschool classrooms need to be arranged in a manner to promote learning- with a place for circle time, center time and small group learning. I will need to have a classroom schedule and rules--it is very important with the young children to make sure they learn these items during the first few weeks of school. I also like for children to have classroom duties-- one day John would help put out cots, Sue would help with breakfast, Joe with lunch and we would change duties everyday. The withitness strategy and movement management are also items that I would bring to my classroom.
ReplyDelete