May 12, 2016
Throughout this practicum, it has been fun figuring out what works with my class to ensure good classroom management. There are times throughout the day where my class will get out of hand with the noise level or there will be certain students who will consistently be at each others’ throats at disrupt the whole class.
As a class we developed our classroom rules that were categorized into three parts:
1. Rules for the class
2. Rules for our peers
3. Rules for ourselves
By creating our own rules as a class, when students deviated from them, it was easy to just ask them to refer to the rules and check themselves. Students are responding well to their own rules as they were the ones who created them making them a lot more accountable.
Another management skill that has been working like a charm is just raising my right hand and using my left hand making the “shushing” gesture. My students pick up on my gesture so quickly and will bring the noise level down in my classroom in less than 30 seconds. I could see that while students are working in groups, or at stations, they are to be aware of the teacher in the room still.
Lastly, another classroom management skill that works for the behavioural students in my class is the “name on the board.” My SA was the first to introduce this to me and I am loving it. When a student in my class acts out, does not follow the rules, etc. I will write their name on the white board in front of the classroom. If their names stay on the board until recess, lunch or after school they have to stay in. However, once their names are on the board they have the chance to earn each letter off by staying on task and behaving. I will check the time about every 5 minutes and if those students are working well and following the classroom rules then I will proceed to erase a letter off.
I come to realize that having good classroom management is vital in keeping a well run class. Students are calmer and are ready to learn. Of course there are times where the class does not run smoothly and I am always open to try other approaches but so far the
