Author: Gabi

ClassroomManagementPlan

Classroom management is very important. It is the foundation of a successful classroom. I believe that it is also the foundation to the rest of a child’s life. School and education is a huge part of any child’s life. We as teachers aid them in that journey that will last for at least 12 years and hopefully longer. We have an incredible potential within us to help our students realize and tap into their own limitless potential. In keeping a focused and organized classroom and curriculum, we are just further committing to those students in trying to take care of everything to make the child’s learning experience as positive and thorough as possible.

In my opinion, I believe a positive and nonjudgemental classroom will allow students to come in and learn without worrying as much about those external variables they cannot control. I want them to be able to focus on what they can control and to make those outcomes as positive as possible. I understand that not every experience in school will be a happy one-everyone makes mistakes. But I want to make my classroom an environment that will allow and even encourage mistakes. Learning through trial and error is an effective teacher.

If all goes according to plan, I will become a Spanish teacher. In my classroom, I want to have it organized so that it instills a sense of wanderlust. St. Augustine said, “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page” and I absolutely believe that. Travel is an integral part of language. It opens new doors and possibilities. I want to be a part of that for as many truly interested and dedicated students as I can. In addition to this, language forges new bridges and allows communication to build new and strong relationships within people, cultures and traditions. I want to communicate this feeling to all my students and let them know that I am there to help them to succeed, and enjoy the trip along the way!

Management strategies:

Opening the lesson:

The teacher was very down to business and began with the morning announcements. She was patient with their “wiggles” but eventually she wound the conversation down. I liked how she let the students chat a little bit before getting down to business. This gives them a little chance to get some of that disruptive behavior out of the way before class really has a chance to begin. The teacher was obviously sticking to a routine, and since the students seemed to be well acquainted with it, they were secure enough in their environment to be able to eventually completely focus on the content (they were seventh graders, hence the word “eventually”).

During the lesson:

At this point the teacher was a lot more strict on students paying attention. She gave them the opportunity at the beginning of class to talk a bit, so it was expected that they behave accordingly to the bit of a compromise she gave them. The students realize that she did not have to give them that privilege, so they need to recognize that this is a privilege and not a right. She also made her way around the room and included everyone in popcorn reading, answering questions, filling in the blanks, etc.

 

Close of the lesson:

The students tried to pack up early, to which the teacher reminded them that class had not yet ended. It is important to stick to that rule-once the students see that you are willing to bend on that, they will start to stealthily pack up earlier and earlier each time. Once the students start packing up, that means their interest and attention is focused elsewhere. She reviewed what they had done and what they would pick up in the next class, along with going over the homework and asking the class to repeat her directions.

Transitions:

In making transitions, she would be lighthearted and make jokes to reroute attention for a little bit before jumping into another activity. Rerouting students attention once in awhile helps to reset their attention span. Others were when students would get passes to go to the office or wherever they were needed. She interrupted class as little as possible and continued with the attitude of going on and subtly prodding the students to follow her, not this new distraction. Bathroom breaks were also something that the students knew about expectations, so things went on without a hitch for the most part.

To apply in my own classroom:

I liked the respect she had for her students, especially in allowing them to chat a little bit before she started class. That showed her students that she trusts them enough to reward them with this privilege. It helps the students to feel more important and validated, while helping to control disruptions later on.

It is really saddening to hear of the trials other people have gone through based on the ethnocentric views of other cultures. I think that is one of our biggest flaws as the human race, that we cannot seem to accept people and their beliefs as they are, and that we feel the need to impose our “correct” views and traditions upon others. That being said, there are improvements being made. We are more open minded to other points of view. I think this article in particular shows both sides. It shows where we used to be and how intolerant we were in thinking we were doing everyone a favor by stripping their identity, to being tolerant and even encouraging the presence of rich and different cultures. I think culture and diversity are one of the many beautiful things we enjoy on this planet. The fact that we have so much variety in our world is refreshing and keeps things interesting! So for that reason it makes me so happy to see improvements being made in the educational communities out in these more remote villages. I see this article as kind of a timeline of how far we have come- and also how far we still need to go.

I would comment on this article and thank the author for his meaningful and thoughtful article. I would tell him that I appreciated how he plainly stated those injustices native people and especially their children suffered. Finally, I would also try my best to share this with others that I know so that we can spread the good news and encourage the spread of more good news and happy events and progress happening.