Managing the Classroom EDEL 413, CSUB Debbie Meadows

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare Physical Environment Policies and Procedures Rules Teacher Dress Communicate Preparation is the Key to Success

The Physical Environment Floor Space Wall Space Countertops Shelves Cupboards and Closets

Floor Space Student Desks Bookcases Rugs/Carpets Work/Activity Teacher Desk Equipment Ease of Movement Visibility Traffic Areas Monitoring of Students Interaction

Floor Space Items, individuals, and equipment can be distracting Prevent distractions, minimize behavior problems Avoid congestion in high-traffic areas Sit in each seat to ensure visibility

Consider: Flexibility in seating Seating should match lesson purpose Allows for a variety of instructional formats Seating should match lesson purpose Grouped—social interaction Rows– individual work

Floor Plan

Floor Plan

Floor Plan

Floor Plan minimize distractions, maximize access, lesson purpose

Floor Plan minimize distractions, maximize access, move with ease

Floor Plan Activity

Wall Space Bulletin Boards White or Chalk Boards Posters and Pictures Student-made Teacher-made White or Chalk Boards Posters and Pictures

Additional Areas Countertops Shelves Cupboards and Closets Student Cubbies

Use of Classroom Space

Countertop Display

Student Work Bulletin Board

Classroom Arrangement

Classroom Arrangement

Safety Tips High traffic areas are free of congestion Student desks are ALWAYS visible Supplies are safely stored Breakables are safely stored Electrical outlets are used appropriately Windows and doors are unobstructed Rugs are fastened down

A Few “Good Things” Your name, grade and room number are posted on the door Students have a space to store their belongings Students can see instruction and activities from their desk Teacher’s personal space Agreeable room temperature

Harry and Rosemary Wong Classroom Procedures The number one problem in the classroom is not discipline; it is the lack of procedures and routines. Harry and Rosemary Wong

Discipline and Procedures Student Behavior Has Penalties or rewards Procedures How things are done Have NO penalties or rewards A rule is a Dare to be broken, whereas a procedure is not. A procedure is a DO, a step to be learned. Wong, p.169

Behavior Problems Teacher has not thought out what will happen Students have not been trained to follow procedures Teacher spends no time managing the classroom

Procedures and Routines What the teacher wants done What the students do automatically

Teaching Procedures Explain and Model Rehearse Reinforce Reteach Routine

Procedures Pre-School Preparation Opening Activities Instructional Activities Transitional Activities Work Requirements Classroom Maintenance Special Activities Parent Involvement Emergencies

Pre-School Bulletin Boards Learning Centers Seating Cubbies Library Storage Areas Materials/Supplies Student Teacher Student Folders Personal Folders First Day Packets Materials for First Week Schedules School Classroom

Opening Activities Entering the Room Putting Away Belongings Turning in Homework Turning in Notes/Lunch Beginning Assignment Taking Roll Jobs/Helpers

Instructional Activities Teacher’s Attention Signal Asking for Help Getting the Teacher’s Attention Turning in Papers/Materials

Transitional Activities Going to the Bathroom Getting water Recess Lunch Dismissal Between Subject Areas

Work Requirements Attending to the Speaker Passing out Supplies Collecting Supplies Sharpening Pencils Getting Materials

Classroom Maintenance Cleaning out their pencil boxes Cleaning out their desks Care of Library End of the day

Special Activities Birthday Parties Holiday Celebrations Picture Day School Assemblies Classroom Visitors Office Interruptions Substitutes

Parent Involvement How do you want to use parents? What should parents do when they arrive? Parent to child interaction Parent to student interaction Conferencing Have a plan, make them welcome. Give them something to do.

Emergencies Fire Drill Earthquake Teacher Leaves the Room School Lock-down Have an emergency no-discussion signal for attention. Practice often!

Group Activity Work with your group to write procedures for: Coming into the classroom Taking Roll Getting the teacher’s attention Working with parents in the classroom Reference: Borman, Chapter 11 Wong, Chapter 20

Rules Effective teachers present their rules clearly and provide reasonable explanations of the need for them. Wong and Wong, p. 141

Discipline Plan Students in Charge Teacher in Charge Teacher listens Teacher in Charge Teacher tells what is to be done Student and Teacher Cooperate Teacher confronts and agreements are reached

Elements of a Discipline Plan Rules Consequences Rewards

Why Have Rules? Expectations of Student Behavior Structured Environment Safety Effective use of Class Time Work-Oriented Atmosphere Sets the Tone

Rule Basics Observable Behaviors Relevant to Students and Situation Limit number of rules (3-5) Covers one behavior Fair and equitable Consistency

Two Types of Rules General Veteran Teachers Covers Many Areas Flexible Broad Expectations Specific New Teachers Cover One Behavior Clearly States Expectation Pick the Important 5

General Rules Respect others Take care of the school Be polite and helpful Keep the school clean Cooperate with others

Specific Rules Listen when the teacher is talking Keep your hands and your feet to yourself Use an inside voice Stay in your seat Ask three before me

Introducing Rules Start the first day of school Positive introduction Explain the reason for the rule Model expectation Primary Grades: introduce all and practice each independently

School and District Rules Classroom rules parallel these Teach rules before going to recess, lunch, dismissal Enforce school and district rules as yours Understand and follow them

Consequences Penalties Negative Rewards Positive

Consequences Do NOT stop the lesson unless it is an emergency Immediately give the reward or penalty Give it quietly and quickly

Group Activity Write a set of specific rules for a second grade class Write a set of specific rules for a fifth grade class Reference: Wong, Chapter 18 Borman, Chapter 11

Teacher Rules Post the Rules Post the Rewards and Consequences Act Immediately Positive Feedback Predictable and Consistent Teacher Behavior

Dress for Success Respect Credibility Acceptance Authority “You will be treated as you are dressed”

Communicate the Rules Administrators Colleagues Paraprofessionals and Volunteers Students Parents Assignment: Write a beginning of the year letter for your classroom management plan (Borman p. 270-274).

Managing the Classroom Physical Environment Psychosocial Environment Procedures Rules Teacher Dress Communication