Below are my ideas of an ideal classroom based on my experiences in the past and currently as a Language Assistant:
1- Mission and
Vision of My Classroom:
I will have a mission statement for my classroom and hang
it at a location where it will be visible to all student. My mission statement
will be as follows:
Class Mission Statement:
In our classroom,
we will treat each other the way we want
to be treated. We
will be respectful, responsible
and organized
students. We will try our best everyday.
My vision is encouraging all my students to study
actively while being respectful to each other and engaging in group activities.
It is important to determine a mission statement and a vision so that I can
implement a good classroom management plan. In order to achieve the mission
statement shown above, I will set a tone in my class, find effective ways to
prevent behavior problems, provide engaging curriculum and ensure all students
in my class participate actively. I want all my students to be comfortable and
engaging. I want them to feel comfortable asking questions about me while
maintaining a certain level of teacher-student distance.
2- Preventative
Methods of Classroom Management:
Setting the tone on the first day of class is very
crucial for a teacher because the initial impression of the teacher and how
he/she conducts the teaching establishes the culture and setting of that
classroom. It is important that the students like the teacher; it helps them to
build stronger and longer lasting rapports with their students. Being calm is
also crucial cause it will provide an example for the students to follow. Being
clear, direct and concise are very important in a classroom management; as the
tasks get more complicated, it will be easier for the students to follow their
teacher if he/she is clear. Teacher must be confident and assertive so that the
students can follow them easier.
Creating a positive classroom environment is paramount
when it comes to teaching because the students worry whether they can succeed in
that class or whether they will be accepted in that class. A positive classroom
environment definitely encourage them to go into the right direction. Also they
will feel valued and protected. In order to achieve this goal, I would
encourage the students to collaborate when it comes to setting rules for the
classroom. This will provide an
environment where students will be able to learn best since they will be
involved during the process. The other crucial thing I will do is periodically
letting my students know that I believe in them and even when one does
something wrong instead of saying “Why didn’t you do it?”; I will say “I know
you did a very good job last week. I know you can do a good job this time as
well.” Also another thing I will be careful is making sure the students do not
do the homework or study for the exams, etc for the benefit of the teacher. I
will make sure to emphasize that the students need to learn in order to benefit
for themselves, not for the teacher. One other aspect I will be adamant is how
I will give my feedback. My feedback will be honest, firm but positive and in
an encouraging way. Instead of saying “You did good; but you can do better.” or
“You didn’t do it right.”; I’d rather say “We discussed about how xx effects yy
last week. Try incorporating this aspect in your argument.” or “This painting
is a very good start. Also add the background as we discussed. Please see me if
you have any questions.”
In order to be an effective teacher in my classroom, I
will utilize a variety of teaching methods and provide a dynamic environment
which will enable students from different abilities, personalities, learning
skills, etc to learn effectively. Depending on the student, some benefit from
certain methods and some benefit from one or two method only. It is very crucial
for the teacher to pay attention and figure out which method is beneficial to
which student. One method I will use is utilizing from the interactive
whiteboard and all new technologies in my classroom as much as possible. I will
use most of the existing materials from YouTube, audio clips, videos, etc. There are also interactive web sites,
teaching with virtual reality, animation, etc. to benefit from. Another method I will frequently use will be
encouraging the students to work together for a task or a project or an
homework or a debate. I will ensure all students in the group has a duty or
things to do so all students participate no matter what. A third method I will
utilize is encouraging students to ask questions and come up with solutions to
their problems on their own. This will encourage them to be more independent
learners. While I am utilizing these methods; I will make sure to customize
these tasks based on students’ abilities, capabilities and personal behaviors
so that no one gets left behind.
Arranging the classroom environment and seating will be
an important part of my classroom management plan. First of all, it is very
crucial to have a classroom with natural light. Various studies showed that
daily cycles of natural light profoundly impact the health, wellness and
academic performance of children. It is important that students benefit from
the natural light as much as possible. Secondly, the classroom should include
colorful and vibrant and cheerful images and posters as well as a board for
display of students’ products especially from art classes. Also, my classroom
will have an open circle layout where all students facing me and their
classmates. It is important to provide a comfortable environment where everyone
can make eye contact with each other. This seating layout will also encourage
student to engage in discussions and sharing ideas with me and with each other.
3- Classroom
Rules:
One of my main philosophy when it comes to classroom
rules will be not to make a rule I cannot enforce. It is also crucial to decide
what I can tolerate and what I cannot; as it is important to be flexible in an
ever-changing environment of teaching. One other important aspect of classroom
rules is what will be the cost/consequences of enforcing that rule. Also, it is
very crucial to communicate with the students very clearly. Hanging the rules
on a wall at the classroom is a good start but not enough; I have to make sure
the students understand the rules and the consequences of not following the
rules very clearly. The last important
aspect of rule-making is being consistent; a teacher cannot be selective when
implementing the consequence of a rule.
Among the classroom rules, no bullying will be a very
crucial part. Sadly, bullying has become a serious problem for schools. It can
vary from physical abuse to rumors and gossiping. It can be done verbally to
the other student’s face or via online in platforms such as Instagram,
Facebook, etc. Preventing bullying shall be a very important task for everyone
involved in children’s education.
Classroom Rules:
Be ready to learn.
Listen to others
when they’re speaking.
Raise your hand
when you want to speak.
NO BULLYING.
Say please and
thank you.
Believe in
yourself.
Work hard and have
fun.
4- Incorporate
School Policies and Procedures:
School policies and procedures are very important when it
comes to classroom management. A teacher should ensure that he/she incorporates
the school policies and procedures into the classroom management plan. This
will not only help students be aware of school policies but also help them to
maintain a level of conduct throughout their school time. Something that a teacher
can do is ensuring to make the classroom interesting and fun while applying all
these policies and procedures.
5- Consequences
for Breaking Rules:
It is important to outline what consequences students
will face when they break the classroom rules. When deciding on consequences,
it is important to remember that the goal should be for the student to realize
he/she makes a mistake, reflects on their mistakes and makes amends for them.
There should be a level of consequences depending on the
severity of the action that took place. Also consequences should be gradual
from less severe behavior to more severe as the misbehavior is repeated. It is
important that these consequences are natural and logical so that the students
can understand why they are facing them during a misbehavior. The consequences should be respectful and in
no way they should be physically or psychologically harmful to the students; it
is important that consequences maintain the dignity of the student. While
keeping all these outlined above in mind, below are some examples of
consequences:
- Warning
- Call or write home
- Send student to another room
- Revoke privileges
- Move student to another seat
- Time-out chair or sit near the teacher
- Short or Long Detention
- Guardian contact
- Sending to Principal