Today’s class was focused on more classroom management strategies, and we were placed into groups to do a bit more research on different strategies. We each spent some time going through the information from some sites Isobel found for us, and then shared the information with one another. Each of the sites and videos presented the information in a slightly different way, but the main points that each covered were that engaging lessons are essential, communication is very important, and that troublesome behaviour must be dealt with early.

It’s good thing that it seems like all of our different classes are finally touching on classroom management because it’s what I’m most worried about for the long practicum, which is getting closer and closer. I just hope that I’ll be able to remember all this information once that time rolls around!

DOs:

• be engaging and have the students actively participating in class

• use a natural and loud voice, and vary your town

• address behaviour issues quickly and wisely

• be clear about enforced classroom policies

DONTs:

• lecture all day (students will lose focus and may become disruptive)

• shout or raise your voice at noisy students (they will only match you in volume)

• ignore behaviour issues (their behaviour may escalate until they can no longer be handled)

• not following up on classroom policies (do not enforce rules that you do not enforce, you may lose your authority as a classroom leader)

Sources:

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/classroom-management-tips-novice-teachers-rebecca-alber

http://www.apa.org/education/k12/classroom-mgmt.aspx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u086rr7SRso