Blog 5

Management strategies:
Opening the lesson:
With the younger grade schoolers, every lesson is started after everyone gathers on a big blue rug. Then there is a long demo for whatever the project will be. In this case drawing turkeys. There is usually small disruptions, which are put out quickly. I’ve only seen k-1 get riled up to the point everything has to stop for awhile.
During the lesson:
The students are then given their paper and markers. Or whatever the materials maybe and they are set to work. There is some amount of bouncing around and asking questions. Finished products go on the drying rack or the shelve belonging to that teacher.
 
Close of the lesson:
Unless the project is very messy, which could take twenty mins to clean up. They have about ten minutes to clean the room. I would call this part of the lesson because every medium presents different challenges, i.e. watercolor brush water should be changed out during the process of painting. Or tempera paints may take longer if they are splattered on tables.
Transitions:
The class coming in has to line up outside the room before they come in. The class before leaving lines up in the room to wait a min for their teacher. At the end of class there maybe a few stragglers that need to be guided towards the door. Students write their names on the board before going to the bathroom.
To apply in my own classroom:
When I have run classes at the same grade level I do not have them sit on the floor. I think that the teacher I am working with tries to use a longer demo to calm them. Which can also backfire. I usually have them crowd around a table, and I run shorter demos to maximize work time. I have not had this backfire, but with a rowdy group it could. Also prep for any lesson is vital, as such we have spoken about whatever it is to be taught before hand and if any paper needs to be cut etc.