Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Barbara Bray on January 13, 2012 at 5:17pm

I just downloaded this eBook from NEA about managing the class and what to do with the different classroom behaviors. You can download it on this page: http://www.nea.org/tools/47976.htm?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medi...

Hope you can access it via this link. 

Barbara

Permalink Reply by Dana Hilfinger on January 19, 2012 at 8:14am

I too am a pre-service teacher at BGSU, and I am one semester away from starting methods and student teaching. This is also a concern I have going into schools. I have seen many in the classrooms I have done field experiences in and one I have really liked is allowing students to come up with their own rules, this makes them feel in charge and if there are some you want on there begin by stating that there are some of your own and state those and then tell them they can come up with the rest. Another one I have seen is a thing called the marble jar. When the class is good they get marbles put in the jar and when they are misbehaving they get marbles taken out, then when the jar gets filled they receive a reward and the jar is emptied and they begin the process over. I like this because it is a reward and discipline system all in one. Hope this helps!

Permalink Reply by Lindsey Looser on January 19, 2012 at 10:54am

I have always been taught to get to know your students!  I always wonder about the same question- I am very nervous about classroom management.  When I was doing work in a TPS school, the teacher I had gave me the advice to always always always get to know your students.  She told me when you know your students you have a better understanding of how to keep them in line. (they may also have more trust in you if you get to really know them).  She had a bulletin board up in her classroom with all her students pictures and a list of their favorite activities. 

Another way to deal with classroom management would be some sort of "game".  When I was in school we had Red Light Green Light.  With this classroom management strategy, if students act out they have to get up and go to the Red Light Green Light bulletin board.  They have to find there card on the board and flip it to the red side.  If they acted out again that day their card would have to come off the bulletin board and they had to stay in for recess or each lunch with the teacher.  This was always effective because students never want to stay in for recess or eat lunch with their teacher.  I  would say any type of "game" regarding behavior would be good. 

Permalink Reply by Kelisa Boden on January 21, 2012 at 6:41am

After 15 years in the classroom, I'm still figuring it out.  Set clear expectations, clear consequences and follow through.  What works for one group might not work for another.  Get to know your students and what motivates them.  Remember, creating an orderly learning environment help the students. 

Permalink Reply by Daniel Davis on January 22, 2012 at 2:37pm

Julie,

I will be beginning methods next fall, and the topic you bring up is a great one. I think individually I will struggle some with classroom management at first because I probably come off as too nice or soft to the students. Although the more experience I get the thicker my skin is getting it seems. All of the replies have included great advice up to this point. I think what Kelisa stated about creating an orderly learning environment might be the first key to success in classroom management. If your lesson plan for the day is clear, organized, and thought out for the entire period even with a plan B if it ends early I think this is where positive classroom management begins!

Permalink Reply by Julie Marie Zmudzinski on January 23, 2012 at 11:01am

Thank you everyone for the great advice! It is comforting to know that I am not the only one worried about classroom management. I particularly like the idea of having students come up with their own rules. This could increase student ownership and help make them more accountable for their own behavior. I also believe that what Kelisa mentioned about having clear expectations and distinct consequences is crucial to creating a good learning environment. Thank you all for the feed back, I will let you know how it is going as I spend more time in the classroom.

Permalink Reply by Jennifer Keeler on February 6, 2012 at 6:32am

This is the MOST IMPORTANT PART of your teaching when you start out.  Set the rules the first time you see them.  Tell them clearly the consequences of breaking these rules.  The second someone steps out of line, FOLLOW YOUR CONSEQUENCES.  Do NOT say, "Oh, he didn't mean to..." or "I'll give you one more chance..."  That guarantees disorder.  The kids are waiting to see how many chances they get before they get in trouble.  If you give them, say, three, then each troublemaker will go right to the limit (and a few non-troublemakers) EVERY time.  Multiply 2 warnings times 10 kids each teaching period, and see how much real teaching you get accomplished.

This is why they say not to smile until Christmas.  They don't really mean that, but you have to be rock-solid on your consequences every time.  Some kids will interpret this as you being scary.  They'll get over it and love you more for it later.  

Permalink Reply by Rurik-Rory Nackerud on February 15, 2012 at 2:19pm

Relationships!

Relationships!

Relationships!

No matter who or what - those student and faculty relationships are huge! Take some time to get to know each student early on. Sharing content - no matter how it is packaged - is sooo much easier if you have a strong, positive, professional relationship with your students.

Permalink Reply by Dustin Bray on March 20, 2012 at 5:53pm

Julie I can tell you that in my short amount of experience that the best way to deal with classroom management issues is to have a plan, and be confident. Remember that you are the professional in the room but you are also a person. Let your students identify with you. I have two students who were initially disruptive and unresponsive to me during the early stages of my placement. However, after laying down the rules and defining my role as their teacher I also took some time to talk to both of them one on one just to get to know them. I asked them what they enjoyed about the class, and what they wish we did more of. Since that point, no problems what so ever. They know that I am there to do a job, and that I am doing what it takes to help them succeed.

 

Hope I helped, and good luck in your placement!

Permalink Reply by Philip Meneses on March 21, 2012 at 12:56pm

Some of my classes are worse than others.  Unfortunately I have to be more stern with them, but it is necessary so they actually complete some type of work while they are in class.  I'm looking forward to next semester when I am in the classroom more often with the students so I can build a better rapport with the students that I am teaching.  I feel that is one of the biggest reasons that there are so many disruptions right now for me during Methods because of how often I have actually been in the classroom.  Reading the schools official disciplinary rules list also helped with classroom management.