Session 2-Book Study
What Great Teachers Do Differently
by: Todd Whitaker
Reading Assignment: Chapter 3, pages 15- 20
Assignment: Read the chapter pages and comment on the questions below.
1. Every teacher is responsible for classroom management. What
strategies have you found to be most effective in setting the tone
for a positive classroom environment for your students?
2. Discuss a time when students met your expectations regarding classroom behavior. How did that impact the learning environment?
It's so easy to say "Don't run in the hallway" instead of "Walk, please." Yet, as a teacher and as a parent, I know better. Children respond to positive statements.
ReplyDeleteLife is a baby because it is full of joy, love, and promise. A baby is always exploring his environment and discovering new adventures. A baby makes many mistakes, but he always learns from these mistakes.
ReplyDeleteSherry Booker
Burnet Elementary
The students were actively engaged in the lessons and objectives were mastered. I monitiored by using formative assessments.
ReplyDeleteMy kids will quote me, "What's the procedure" is what I frequently say. I believe in establishing routines at the beginning of the year. I stick to them - hard - during the first semester. And, usually by the spring, I can ease up because the kids now have them down. I've been doing this consistently for years and have found it to be a success. The kids know the expectation and can continue it if I am present or not.
ReplyDeleteClassroom behavior this year has been quite challenging. Unfortunately, I have a VERY ROWDY bunch of boys and girls. And, to make things worse, the "love bug" has bitten several of them. Even still, this students know that when I say "If you hear my voice, clap once" to begin getting quiet immediately. This is very effective because they have been conditioned to be silent BY the third time I have to say that in order to avoid a consequence.
ReplyDeleteRebeca, I agree with you but there are times when they hear us and totally ignore us! It can be maddening at times but it is important to model the behavior we expect.
ReplyDeleteI have seen teachers use the clap technigue to quiet the class. I've never used it but I do have a strategy that also works. I went to a Debbie Diller training where I saw the "magic wand." I forgot what she called it but I named it "magic" because all I had to do was to hit the wand once and the vibrating sound would silence my students.
ReplyDeleteColts, I can relate to your situation. Last year, I had an active group of girls that were focused more on boys than the curriculum. I worked hard to establish structure and a strong bond with the leader of the "active girls." On the last week of school, the grandmother switched her to a different class. It is sad that people promote the idea of running away. This year, the girl is still having difficulties and trying to avoid consequences.
ReplyDeleteI have learned over the years that one way to have good classroom management is to overplan. When students are actively engaged in a variety of activities that they are interested in the class runs smoothly.
ReplyDeleteRecently in my A-2 class (GT) the boys were being silly. Saying "OOOO", calling one boy's name over and over, and chatting together. I took attendance and simply stood at the head of the class and stared at the boys. One of them saw me and I saw a change in the expression on his face. He then hushed the others and told them "Ms. Lewis is waiting, be quite". They all went silent and turned to me for instruction. We had a good day. The boys were not being "bad", just silly. However the behavior was disruptive. I was proud of them for pulling themselves together.
ReplyDeleteThe strategies have you found to be most effective in setting the tone for a positive classroom environment for your students is to be consistent. I set the tone for my class. The way that I interact with them helps me and them set the boundaries of acceptable behavior.
ReplyDeleteWhen I first started teaching the students were trying to get away with misbehaving in class, but they eventually began to realize what was expected of them. When the students met my r expectations regarding classroom behavior we were able to finish all parts of the lesson and had time to have a lively discussion of the material we completed. . This impacted the learning environment in many ways including: we were successful in the completion of the task at hand, we learned far more than we usually did, and it made me realize that I could teach my students.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that the students at your school are behaving so well. The students at my school now think that school is out. It is a uphill battle from now on.
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, we must continue to try and teach them what is the expected behavior for a student. There must always be rules and regulations for all.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy. I have finally learned how to blog. There is no stopping me now!
ReplyDeleteThis past week was absolutely crazy at school. Discipline was a real concern for the upper grades. I don't know whether to attribute it to Spring fever or not but things were explosive to say the least. One thing that I can pinpoint as a major factor is the fact that school-wide management is a problem. This is now going beyond the classroom and spilling into other area as well. I had a SERIOUS talk (without yelling) with my class on Friday afternoon. I spoke firmly and was quite frank. I hope that my message hit home.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to remember to to be fair and consistent with students when it comes to classroom management. Students will quickly point out when you are not and will question why.
ReplyDeleteI'd had back pain for several days and that day was the worst. My students realized I wasn't feeling well, although I hadn't said a word about it. They just saw my face and we had the most quiet school day ever. Sometimes our students can be a pain but there are other times when they are just wonderful.
ReplyDeleteAnswering to question 1: I found that making students responsible for their behavior and their consequences makes them understand it better. They also need to participate in the classroom managment: everybody must have a role sometime during the school year. If they are involved in the classroom management they will be more responsible for their actions.
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