The ten chapters in Unit C focus on the characteristics -- and benefits -- of a well-managed classroom. The effective teacher, say the Wongs, begins the year not with an activity, but by establishing classroom management procedures.
"Student achievement at the end of the year is directly related to the degree to which the teacher establishes good control of classroom procedures in the very first week of the school year," they say.
How do you see their advice impacting you as a teacher? Respond and comment on at least two other classmate responses.
In my experience as teacher we have to take control in our classroom not the opposite. If we prepare our lessons plan well acording to the time there is not a posibility for our students to be distracted or interrupting the class. We have the right to teach and they have the right to learn.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience if a teacher appears disorganized and unprepared it is harder to gain student's respect and attention. It does not mean they won't like you, but it does mean you will have a hard time beginning class and transitioning from one activity to the next. At the beginning of school, the law should be established first, then one can move into the fun of getting to know his/her students. We can be warm and loving teachers throughout all of this.
ReplyDeleteI’m finding that effectively managing a classroom is a skill that has to be learned. Each day in the class room I’m working on some aspect of it. It is the teacher who is the conductor of the room with the students following her lead or cues. If it is apparent that the teacher is unprepared and unaware of her and the student’s responsibilities chaos may ensue. I find that having a plan, especially one that is detailed and written out on the lesson plan is very helpful to running the class period successfully. Also I take care to have activities planned through the ENTIRE block so that there is NO time for the students to get distracted from what the objectives are for the day.
ReplyDeleteResponse to Flor: I would definitely agree with you that as a teacher being prepared and even extra prepared for your class is the best "weapon" teachers have in combating student's with a short attention span, immaturity, or boredom, which takes away from the flow of class.
Response to Leah: Leah I have often found that in my experience as a student that I am often irritated with professors whom are unprepared and will began to lose a bit for respect for them. If I expect my students to work hard for me and to respect me than I need to be on my "A Game" EVERYDAY. Students will call you [the teacher] out on any and every little thing in order to use that to their own advantage.
I’ve found that effective classroom management begins and ends with the teacher’s ability to manage his/her own time to a degree that leaves little to no room to be off task. Whether the task is student or teacher related, getting what you need to get done in a timely and professional manner is the main indicator of what you can expect out of your students. Most teachers that I’ve talked to have confessed that their own classroom management wasn’t up to par until their second or third year of teaching due to an immense amount of trial and error. I am finding out that since I did a pretty good job of laying down the ground rules of the behavior I expect from the students, I am having a bit more pleasant of an experience than some of my cooperating teacher’s previous student teachers.
ReplyDeleteLeah: I agree with the thought of being both firm and friendly in your management style. As you noted, being a stickler for the rules early then working your way into your normal give and take with the students is the best way that I’ve found of classroom management.
ReplyDeleteBelinda: Absolutely! A teacher who doesn’t have the personal discipline to be organized can expect the exact same from his/her students. I know that the lessons that I teach that are regimented with time restrictions on each activity seem to be my best days in the classroom.
ReplyDeleteThis portion of the Wong book is all about classroom management, especially instituting procedures to make your classroom run smoothly. I can certainly see what the Wongs are talking about! In the classroom that I am working in now, there are very few formal procedures. Sometimes, the environment does get a bit chaotic. However, the few activities which involve a set procedure always run smoothly. For instance, on most Thursdays we play a Jeopardy game known as Psycho-Jackpot. The students know the rules of the game, as well as exactly where to go when they are divided into groups and how to answer the questions. As a result of having established the procedure for this game, the students know what to expect and in turn how to behave.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the number one factor in classroom management is student engagement. If your lesson is good and students are interested and on-task, behavior problems will be at a minimum. When students are bored or feel they have nothing to do, that is when they begin to get antsy and act out. Every minute of class should be devoted to some sort of worthwhile activity. For example, we have a grad exam remediation class which went very smoothly until the students got their results back from the latest test and found that 75% of the class had passed. Now, it is a struggle to teach the 25% who still need it while trying to keep the others in line who feel that they are entitled to do as they please since they no longer require remediation. It is a circumstance that was planned poorly from the outset, as these students should have had the option to transfer into another class or undertake another activity. Now, students that were well-mannered and behaved when they were engaged have turned into quite the opposite. This has certainly caused me to stand by my belief that passionate, effective teaching will keep the vast majority of behavioral problems out of the classroom.
@ Flor
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. One of the main things that I have learned in my student teaching experience is that the hallmark of effective instruction in PREPARATION. If we plan our time effectively and know what we expect from our students during every minute of class time, then they will have no opportunity to lose focus and act out.
@ Belinda
Teenagers are like sharks; they can smell blood. If you are unprepared and trying to "wing it", they can certainly tell. That is why it is important for your lesson plans to be top-notch. In fact, I often plan more than in necessary just in case. I always try to have an extra video or activity in case we do finish early. I have said this a million times, but it is all about preparation!
I feel classroom management is very important. In unit C Wongs gives useful advice that will impact new teachers and help them have well managed classroom. Unit C in the book is helpful because it describes things like how you should take roll and record grades in grade book. Chapter 20 in unit C will probably impact me the most as a new teacher. In chapter 20 Wongs says “the most important factor that must be established the first day and the first week of school is CONSISTENCY.” I plan on being a consistent teacher. Being an consistent teacher will help me as a teacher to stay on task and it will help my students to always know what to expect in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteJustin,
I agree that time management on the teacher part leads to good classroom management skills. If there is always something to keep students busy the class won’t have time to becoming out of control.
John,
I like what you said about engagement. If the lesson is boring this gives those students with negative attitudes an opportunity to disrupt class. I am always trying to find new and creative ways to keep students engaged in the lesson. My students love to play jeopardy and work in groups
I find classroom management is the most important thing when teaching. If one cannot control a classroom nothing can be learned. Using time management is a simple tool teachers use to manage time properly. Another thing is positive and negative reinforcement. Most kids can be "bribed" or "threatened" into doing the right thing. Every teacher will eventually have a class where they will not listen to what one has to say. This is the hardest challenge I feel teachers today face.
ReplyDelete@Flor I agree teachers need to be proactive and not reactive
ReplyDelete@Justin I agree it is important to leave as little time as possible for down time. This will minimize the many classroom management problems.
I do not feel as though the importance of classroom management can be overstated. At this point of my student teaching I am convinced that is the most important part of the job of the teacher is to establish a classroom environment conducive to learning. It does not matter how ell planned out the lesson are or anything, a mismanaged classroom will produce the results that an effective teachers seeks.
ReplyDeleteAnd classroom management begins the first week of school. While I believe the Wongs and I believe they offer good advice, I am not sure how it translates into the setting that I have seen this year. Usually the first few days of school are chaotic, students still registering, extended time spent in home room, and kids schedules are still getting changed. I remember at the beginning of the year that my teacher took a very low key approach to the first day - we are just going to make sure the kids know where they are, the larger procedures of the school day, and introduce yourself. And added that students only met for a couple of minutes in the class after homeroom. He took a little bit longer to establish the rules.
Another thing that I have really learned is that classroom management is not a one time thing. It is constant - constantly making sure the students are on task, working and participating. One day of going over rules and procedures does not cut it. Expressing high expectations is not a first day of school activity, it becomes almost a several times a day activity.
All of those comments aside, I concur with the Wongs. Classroom management is essential! And a teacher must begin early in establishing the classroom rules and procedures.
Justin,
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting to hear that several teachers you talk to spent a couple of years becoming comfortable with their style of classroom management. Classroom management is something that I am still learning about, most importantly I think it changes based on the different class you have every day. What some classes can handle other classes cannot. Also, I think the management style is very personal. What may work for one teacher will be ineffective for another teacher. It is somewhat reassuring talking to veteran teachers and trying to find their tricks that eliminate minor misbehaviors, i.e. whispering in class. I know it is something to improve upon, but sometimes teachers just say if find out how to stop that, let me know.
Flor,
ReplyDeleteThat is a great point. Our job as teaches it to teach, not entertain, not to make the students like us, or anything else. The teachers number one priority is to make sure that the students are engaged and that they are learning. I am still trying to make that my mantra - I tend to like a little activity in the room. I do not mind some talking. However, the teacher must command control of the class and make sure that the students are acting appropriately.
I strongly believe in having a strong foundation in classroom management. The Wongs express that classroom management is the pinnacle of the curriculum. If students lack guidance in listening to instruction, procedures, and lack obedience, most likely this structure will gain momentum into adulthood. Classroom management is the "glue" that holds all other aspects of curriculum together.
ReplyDelete(John)
ReplyDeleteStudents (especially) teenagers KNOW and FEEL when a classroom structure is prepared and has been created to meet their needs efficiently. They do have the 6th sense of identifying/ preying on the weak and feable educator who is unprepared/passive about avoiding disciplinary issues/addressing disciplinary issues properly. "They" will get you if you do not build a passion to teach, and structure your curriculum appropriately. So beware, or be prepared.
(Brian)
ReplyDeleteConsistency is key in the curriculum as a whole, and especially classroom management. Many times educators do use the "one-hit wonder" method of reflecting on classroom procedures and methods, rewards/consequences at the beginning of the year, failing to repeat the structure. We should all know that eventually students will gain " STUDENT AMENTIA", and: get up and sharpen a pencil in the middle of instruction, blurt out a response to a question addressed during instruction without raising their hand, visit classmates as if they were invisible/and or the sounds of their voices are undetectable. Educators must consistently "refresh"/"address" procedures, rewards, consequences, throughout the year to insure that students KNOW this is the way it is, I want you to feel comfortable with the way it is,..........or "else".
Leah,
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with your. It is important to lay down the law the first week with students. If they do not know what to do when they come in because of your lack of instruction, they will be disorganized. Your also right, they may still like you, but that type of respect level will have gone out the window.
I personally believe that the first day of school should be the first impression for the rest of the semester. It is the one day where students do not know what to expect from you; therefore, this can allow you to shape your classroom into what you want it to be.
ReplyDeleteProcedures and rules must be set forth the first day and acted upon at the beginning. There is time to loosen up throughout the year, but the beginning (especially for us new teachers) is a time to stand firm and gain the respect of the class. I am not saying you should be mean with the students, but there needs to be a line set down ensuring the students teacher relationship
Unit C focuses on Classroom Management and how a teacher can truly have a class that behaves and knows what is expected. While the entire unit was filled with great points, I found that some of the things Wong points out appear to be quite obvious. After taking education classes and working with other teachers for two years, I found that being ready for your students, defining procedures, and the basics of seating and grading are things all teachers should quickly learn. I learned, however, that many teachers do not realize the importance of these small but important details.
ReplyDeleteTo sum up the unit, I would say that consistency, security, and organization are three important characteristics that any well-managed classroom should have. As I read through the chapters, I realized that these three topics were the underlying basics for every other point Wong made. Students need a structured environment in which work is taking place, but at the same time, these students need to feel relaxed and secure. In this type of atmosphere, students know what is expected, and they are successful in their work. The teacher is using time effectively, and he or she has selected specific lessons, activities, and strategies to implement in the classroom. With all of these things working together, both the teacher and the students are learning and achieving. The students all feel respected and successful because they know what is expected, and they desire to learn and grow as individuals.
One quote I think embodies the whole classroom management unit is the following: "If you do not structure your classroom, the students will structure the classroom for you."
Warren, I also believe that classroom management is an essential aspect for success in the classroom. I have seen time and time again classrooms that lack classroom management, and the students have no idea what is expected of them, nor do they realize how the lack of structure effects every part of their lives. I like how you said that "classroom management is the 'glue' that holds all other aspects of curriculum together." When a class is well managed, the students do their work, and learning truly takes place.
ReplyDeleteKendra, CONSISTENCY is an essential part to having a well managed classroom. When students know what is expected day after day, they understand the importance of the rules and procedures. They no longer have any excuse for doing wrong. The students know how the teacher will respond, and eventually, as we have read in the book, students can basically run the classroom themselves. I have realized that consistency is important in all areas of life, and when this key factor is evident, things will go more smoothly and work effectively.
ReplyDeleteI believe that in order for a teacher to run an effective classroom they have to be very organized. I feel that when a teacher is unorganized they have a hard time gaining students attention and they do not make transitions well. (Granted, transitions are HARD…but disorganization makes it MUCH harder! The less time transitions take, the less time a student has to get in trouble or get distracted.
ReplyDeleteLeah, I totally agree with you. It is very hard to gain a student’s respect and/or attention because they know how to take advantage of a teacher’s weakness. Students are very observant and a teachers disorganization can be disastrous for not only the teacher but for the students as well.
Belinda, Effective classroom management is a skill that has to be learned. It is also a very hard skill to learn. Having a plan, even a backup plan is crucial. I found that when I have an activity to transition to when my first plan backfires then class runs a lot smoother.
Jamie Lynn,
ReplyDeleteI love the quote you include in the end. I agree with it totally. As a future teacher, I have learned very quickly to set guidlines and procedures in place form the very first day to the last. By allowing students to get away with the little things, students are going to begin running the class for the teacher as they become too comfortbale in the class.
I like how the Wongs compare operating a classroom to a restaurant. Organization and structure are keys to a well-managed classroom. Being prepared for that first week is important to me. I plan to utilize the Wongs’ suggestions such as a pre-arranged seating chart. Students need structure so they feel comfortable and less-stressed over assignments and grades. I know that I have done better in classes that were well-organized and enjoyed those classes more than those where the instructors seemed to be unprepared.
ReplyDeleteOne way to show I am prepared is to post assignments each day. Also, I would like to include the amount of time we will spend on each activity. This way the students know what we are doing, and we won’t spend so much time transitioning from one activity to another. Also, I want to make sure students know where materials are located in the room, so the time they take to get those materials will be minimal.
Another important aspect of teaching is explaining to the students why they are completing the assignments you give them. Throughout my student teaching experience, I’ve heard a lot of “why do we have to do this,” “this is stupid,” or better yet, “this sucks.” At first, I assumed they must already know how to use a comma or that they’ll never use those vocabulary words anyway, but after a while, I learned that, in fact, they don’t know the things they should already know and that they will need these things in life. For instance, today they were writing response letters to “Santa” for a third grade class. After reading the letters this afternoon, I found that the third graders had better mastery of standard American English grammar than some of our twelfth graders. Additionally, I’ve heard and read many of our vocabulary words this semester. I even heard one said by SpongeBob SquarePants!
Also, I like the ideas the Wongs provide for roll-taking and students who are absent. I agree that roll-taking should not take up class time, and I plan to use my seating charts to determine who is present and who isn’t. For the students who are absent, I will clip their assignments together and place in a designated area they all will know about so students will not be coming to me about assignments missed. They will know where to get their assignments and where to turn them in once completed.
Furthermore, I appreciate the Wongs’ explanation of grade books and how to record information in such small spaces, and I really think the “My Action Plan” is an excellent idea I plan to use. I also like the “Silent Signals.” I think they will definitely be useful to me since I am not one who speaks real loud.
All-in-all, I will keep this book because Unit C is filled with ideas I can use because classroom management is so important for effective teaching.
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ReplyDeleteFlor:
ReplyDeleteYour post is short and to the point: effective classroom management promotes learning. Students will remain on task, and I think they feel more comfortable knowing what to expect. It’s a win-win situation for both the teacher and the students.
Leah:
I agree that teachers who practice utilizing procedures consistently can still have fun with their students. I think the students need and want guidelines to abide by, and they will definitely benefit from a well-structured classroom.
Classroom management is a must in todays classrooms. Students need to know what to expect that very first day of school. It is so important for the teacher to have a classroom management plan in place so the students will know what you expect in terms of behavior. Having good classroom management can make for a successful school year. The students will also be more susepectable to learning if it is a safe and nuturing environment.
ReplyDeleteMelissa, seating charts are a great way to help with classroom management. The CT I was with for student teaching does this and it definitely helps with classroom management. A classroom management plan is also a must and one I plan to have for my students when I start teaching.
ReplyDeleteBrooke, Organization in today's classroom is a must. I definitely have to have organization when it comes to managing a classroom on my own. Students will know what to expect and will enjoy learning.
ReplyDeleteUnit C: Second Characteristic -- Classroom Management (How to manage a classroom that is uncontrollable)
ReplyDelete"Student achievement at the end of the year is directly related to the degree to which the teacher establishes good control of classroom procedures in the very first week of the school year," they say.
I think that the above quote from the text is a very crucial point for teachers that are about to enter the field. It goes without saying the negative impacts that being disorganized and unprepared will have on the student’s behavior. I think that if the students know what to expect from a teacher the problems in the classroom will be limited. This will happen if you spend the first day going over classroom rules and procedures, and how the classroom will operate.
I have discovered this semester during my student teaching that if you have to lecture you have to split it up with activities to get the students involved. From my experience the students can handle about 15-20 minutes of lecturing before they start to become disinterested and uninvolved. I like for students to work in groups, because it allows the students to be productive and allows them to communicate with their students. I have found out that students are going to talk, and if they talk in a way that it helpful to the lesson it is a win-win for the teacher.
@ Deacon
I think that you are dead on with that a teacher must be an effective classroom manager. If you cannot manage a classroom then it will be impossible for any learning to take place. I think that the first step is to get the students interested in the material and everything will start from there.
@ Justin
I think that you are right about how students have to know how to behave and respond. This may sound crazy, but every teacher is different on what they expect so students have to know how to behave in your class.