Classroom Management and the Adolescent Melissa Johnson, Meaghan Fitzpatrick, Da’Nisha Avery, Matt Leibham
Classroom Management and the Adolescent
Melissa Johnson, Meaghan Fitzpatrick, Da’Nisha Avery, Matt Leibham
The Classroom Environment
“Classroom environments vary, but they always need to be welcoming places; interesting, joyful places that beckon kids and teachers to actively participate in the pursuit of knowledge. Places that invite curiosity, exploration, collaboration, and conversation. Places that make us want to come in and stay, day after day after day.”
-Debbie Miller
Your classroom should:
• Reflect your teaching philosophy• Promote learning• Be inviting to students
Seating Arrangements
• Should be based on the lesson/teaching style
• Depends on furniture and space available• High traffic areas• Action zone• Many, many ways to arrange seats
Rows
Clusters/Pods
Horseshoe/Semicircle
Pairs
As a child, what seating arrangement helped you learn most effectively?
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1. Rows2. Clusters/Pods3. Horseshoe/Semicircle4. Pairs5. Other
As a future teacher which seating style are you more inclined to use in your classroom?
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Areas in the Classroom
• Large group meeting area• Small group meeting area(s)• Books• Teacher’s desk• Storage areas
www.classroom.4teachers.org
Classroom Walls
• Chalkboard, whiteboard, SMART board• Anchor charts• Bulletin boards• Student work• Decorations
Having routine in the classroom
Scheduling, Structure, Involvement
Take a closer look
1Scheduling – traditional vs. nontraditional
2Structured downtime, over plan
3Involving parents and
staff
Block Scheduling
1 • Maximize learning time• Allow for more instructional flexibility• Accommodate common planning time for
teachers• More time for student inquiry, project
work, and interactive thematic instruction
70-140 or more minutes rather than the traditional 50 minute instructional long periods
Example of a Block Schedule
2Structured downtime
-Visuals-• Daily schedules written on
the board with student expectations
• Posters hung up around the room with class rules
• Labels around the classroom showing where materials go.
Examples of visuals
Can you pick out all the wrong things in this video?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbF4qz_-PCM
Class discussion on substitute teachers
3Involving Parents and Staff
• Use daily method to keep parents informed
• Have a daily routine for staff working in your classroom with students who have special education needs
• Substitute teachers need to be on board with your daily routine
Four Corners Activity!
Collaboration
Break (5 minutes)
Policies and Procedures
Classroom Management Guidelines
Concentrate on the desirable student behaviorsRespond to inappropriate behavior, especially
disruptive behaviorBe aware of what is happening in your classroomCreate Smooth TransitionsProvide Opportunities for Autonomy
John Weisbrod Interview
PJ Jacobs Jr High English Teacher
“I think classroom management roots itself in who we are as people and how we think about those around us.”
“There really is no "classroom management" that supersedes connecting on a personal level with the students--and they recognize that.”
“Any student who may ‘act out’ has a reason for that. As frustrating as it may be, it is our responsibility to uncover that reason and try to help. You won't be able to fix everything, but you can try.”
“Junior high students also need structure, predictability, consistency, and routine... but mostly love.”
Procedures (Expectations) and Consequences
Current Trends
PBIS—Positive Behavioral Inventions and Support
RTI—Response to Intervention
THE FIRST DAY
Greet students, get them to know each otherStudent seatingInform students about the classDefine your expectationsAssign Homework
Provide ClosureThank students for taking part of your classCelebrateTake Time to Transition
THE LAST DAY
Be Consistent
Be Fair
THE DAYS IN-BETWEEN
TeacherStare-Down
Directions
• Back to each other, count of three, turn around
• First one to blink, look away, or laugh loses• In the event of a tie, both participants turn
back around and do it again• The winner takes place in a three-way
showdown in the middle of the room.
Classroom Control and Discipline
- Control is one of the top concerns
- Discipline and control
- Reflects philosophy
-Prevent inappropriate behavior-help develop self control-different ways of dealing with behavior
3 Step Plan
Control
- Direct instruction- Monitoring- Modeling- Low profile discipline- Personal items
Discipline
-Nondisruptive behaviors-Disruptions to learning-Serious- cheating, stealing,
violence, bullying-PBIS
- BF Skinner: Behavior Modification
- Assertive Discipline: students know what is expected
- Reasons behind rules, what is expected, consistent
Logical Consequences
- Help children develop internal understanding of self control and a desire to follow the rules
- -Student involvement- Behavior is the problem not the child- Warnings- Tone of voice
Break Time (10 minutes)
Workshop
Classroom Management Discussion
Create-a-Classroom Activity
• Reasonable budget• Desk arrangements• Your desk• Wall/ posters• Class policies• Reflects philosophy/
teaching style
Go Forth…and Teach!
What Teachers Make Taylor Mali
Miracle Worker Taylor Mali