Creating Classroom Management and A Positive Environment
I have learned during my journey to becoming a classroom educator that in order for students to grow and to be their best selves they require a safe and finely structured yet flexible environment that encourages them to flourish. I strongly feel that students need to understand what their roles and responsibilities are as well as what my roles and responsibilities are as their teacher. As their teacher it is essential to me that they are given the opportunity take part in the development and implementation of classroom rules, consequences, and daily jobs or duties, which allows them to feel a sense of personal connection with all of these things.
It is important to me that my students are able to not only implement what they learn within the classroom and school boundaries but that they are also able to extend this knowledge beyond our walls and into their daily lives within society. Self regulation, awareness and flexibility hold an important place within classroom management, but I know that this is not something that can be learned over night and requires patience and understanding from all levels.
Creating a solid and supportive class community where all feel welcome and safe regardless of their similarities or differences is one of the things I feel very strongly about as an educator. No two students are the same in all aspects of their strengths and capabilities, needs, levels of understanding, or style of learning. It is important to me that they understand their strengths and needs as both individuals and as a class community, and how to work together to build off of these differences in a meaningful way. It is always my goal to have students feel that their individual voices and opinions are given a fair opportunity to be heard.
It is important to me that my students are able to not only implement what they learn within the classroom and school boundaries but that they are also able to extend this knowledge beyond our walls and into their daily lives within society. Self regulation, awareness and flexibility hold an important place within classroom management, but I know that this is not something that can be learned over night and requires patience and understanding from all levels.
Creating a solid and supportive class community where all feel welcome and safe regardless of their similarities or differences is one of the things I feel very strongly about as an educator. No two students are the same in all aspects of their strengths and capabilities, needs, levels of understanding, or style of learning. It is important to me that they understand their strengths and needs as both individuals and as a class community, and how to work together to build off of these differences in a meaningful way. It is always my goal to have students feel that their individual voices and opinions are given a fair opportunity to be heard.
A Few Classroom Management Tools
Routines and keeping materials organized
I believe that having a routine for the students to follow from the time they walk through the door in the morning to the time they leave is very important in keeping a smooth flowing day. Students know what to expect which helps alleviate any extra anxiety that can be built up around coming to school. It is very important to also be flexible when necessary. All materials that are student friendly are kept organized and accessible to them at all times.
I believe that having a routine for the students to follow from the time they walk through the door in the morning to the time they leave is very important in keeping a smooth flowing day. Students know what to expect which helps alleviate any extra anxiety that can be built up around coming to school. It is very important to also be flexible when necessary. All materials that are student friendly are kept organized and accessible to them at all times.
Wall timer
The wall timer was a very effective classroom management tool to utilize in the grade one classroom that I was in. One of the students in the classroom required a visual and auditory aid that helped give structure to his daily tasks. When the timer went off it signaled to him and the other students to stop what they were doing and listen for further instruction from me or another adult in the room. I found it was even more effective when students were given a two minute warning before the timer went off, and asking them to finish and begin cleaning up what they were currently working on. This helped in a great way with getting their attention and allowed for a smoother transition between tasks.
The wall timer was a very effective classroom management tool to utilize in the grade one classroom that I was in. One of the students in the classroom required a visual and auditory aid that helped give structure to his daily tasks. When the timer went off it signaled to him and the other students to stop what they were doing and listen for further instruction from me or another adult in the room. I found it was even more effective when students were given a two minute warning before the timer went off, and asking them to finish and begin cleaning up what they were currently working on. This helped in a great way with getting their attention and allowed for a smoother transition between tasks.
Referring to classroom rules and consequences
I have learned that a good set of classroom rules, expectations, and consequences that the students took part in creating can be a powerful tool for classroom management. Right away students understand what is expected of them and what the boundaries are for acceptable and unacceptable, and what the consequences are if these class rules are not followed. When I was consistent in my use of referral to these rules and expectations I was amazed at how much this cut down on arguing or upset feelings in my grade three classroom placement. For example students were aware that if they did not complete their work during classroom time they were expected to stay in at recess to complete the work.
I have learned that a good set of classroom rules, expectations, and consequences that the students took part in creating can be a powerful tool for classroom management. Right away students understand what is expected of them and what the boundaries are for acceptable and unacceptable, and what the consequences are if these class rules are not followed. When I was consistent in my use of referral to these rules and expectations I was amazed at how much this cut down on arguing or upset feelings in my grade three classroom placement. For example students were aware that if they did not complete their work during classroom time they were expected to stay in at recess to complete the work.
Remembering that we all make mistakes - finding the teachable moments and using them
Difficult situations arise daily within schools and in life in general. With students I found an effective way to help deal with most of these situations was to calmly talk with the student about what was going on and see if I could help them become self aware of what they were doing, and why they were doing this particular thing at that time. From there I would have them decide if this was an appropriate time and/or setting for this to be occurring and how they could remedy the problem on their own or with those involved. It's important to recognize teachable moments when they arise and to take advantage of them to help other students from making the same mistakes or to open up their minds to a new perspective or way of thinking about a situation.
Difficult situations arise daily within schools and in life in general. With students I found an effective way to help deal with most of these situations was to calmly talk with the student about what was going on and see if I could help them become self aware of what they were doing, and why they were doing this particular thing at that time. From there I would have them decide if this was an appropriate time and/or setting for this to be occurring and how they could remedy the problem on their own or with those involved. It's important to recognize teachable moments when they arise and to take advantage of them to help other students from making the same mistakes or to open up their minds to a new perspective or way of thinking about a situation.