Secret
#2
Classroom
Management
How effectively do you feel you discuss and implement
the rules of the classroom with your students? After reading and reflecting on
the secrets of this chapter, what changes do you forsee making when you have a
classroom of your own?
As my first placement has begun,
the teacher’s rules are present and ingrained. Observing my cooperating teacher
enact the rules effectively and efficiently has encouraged me to adopt them for
my future classroom. Mr. W. has three rules: students must sit up with their
feet on the floor, actively participate and raise their hand to speak and pose
questions. Consequences are swift and highly affective. Mr. W. quietly reminds
students in a non-confrontational or embarrassing way. After one warning, Mr. W.
asks the students the rules and follows with a one-two minutes of reteaching on
the students’ time (either at lunch or after homeroom).
What changes do I
forsee in my future? As an emergency substitute teacher, I have won the academy
award for my reoccurring portrayal of Mrs. Reactive Screamer in a mini-series.
Looking back, I can only laugh at the power struggles had with students that I
escalated by losing control. This came at a cost as I lost my credibility and
the respect of the students. I have witnessed some of the best examples of
successful teachers described in this chapter. My future goals are to establish
a positive learning environment where there is a mutual respect between the
teacher and students. There will always be students who test the waters to see
what they can get away with. I see myself calmly and effectively handling the
issues at hand. The new tools learned in chapter one on time management and
construction of engaging lesson plans will help students want to
learn.
By planning ahead with
the students in mind, I would ensure that events of the past are not repeated. I
plan on addressing the rules fairly and consistently. The rules and procedures
will be clearly defined! Clearly presented rules and procedures will help keep
the classroom orderly
Denise,
ReplyDeleteIt's very important to do self reflection, and you have showed that you can do that. From being a substitute, you can look back and say, "Man, I have learned so much since then and now know exactly how to gain control and respect in the classroom." I feel like that is something that is hard to do, tell yourself that you were wrong. But it says a lot about your character for being able to do that!! Keep up that mind set of consistently reflecting on what you're doing!