Classroom Management

When we think of our roles as future teachers we probably don’t think of classroom management as a top priority. The task of managing a classroom often times isn’t given much thought, we probably pay more attention to other teaching aspects such as: creating lesson plans, teaching/tutoring students, or assigning grades. All of these duties, however, would not be possible without effective classroom management. If we, as future teachers, fail to recognize this inferred duty, we might actually end up hurting our students more than we’re helping them.

Classroom management is an important and often time misunderstood responsibility that all teachers have to address. It’s no secret that teachers have a difficult job on their hands. A lot is expected out of today’s teachers, there is probably nothing more difficult than juggling the task of taming a group of wild students and attempting to teach them the required curriculum. Many students want to resist learning at all costs because it takes personal effort on their part to change their own schema. Teachers can’t force students to learn, but there are many practical classroom management steps that can help put students in the “best possible position” to learn. Essentially as a future math teacher, my goal will be to create a classroom environment that encourages and facilitates learning.

First off, I want have good relationships with my students. I don’t want to be strictly an authoritarian figure, but at the same time I don’t to be all buddy-buddy with them. There has to be a fine balance in this area. My students must understand that I am the More Knowledgeable Peer in the classroom. This title can often times be abused by teachers, so I must make sure that I am directing my classroom in activities not just dictating my control. Being a teacher that is approachable can go a long way in creating a mutual trust between the students and the teacher. I will do this by asking critical thinking questions and walking around. This will encourage my students to explore. I also won’t embarrass my students when they say wrong answers. By doing this, hopefully some of my students will respect and trust me. Respect in the classroom should take the form of listening to the teacher’s instructions and allowing the teacher to be in charge. I do believe in some classrooms, whether the teacher realizes it or not, the students have the control.

I want my daily classroom schedule to be structured in order to ensure that my classroom stays managed. One key step to this will be starting every day with a problem on the white board (aka “bell ringer”) this activity would allow the kids to be immediately actively mentally engaged. This will then allow me to start teaching without having to talk over my student’s conversations. I will strive to treat my student’s with the utmost respect by coming prepared to class (just like I expect them to be). My lesson plan will be “over-planned” and flexible, to allow for accommodations as various student needs become evident. My lesson’s plan will be structured in a way that is consistent with the way that a student’s brain acquires information; I will start with concrete examples then work to more abstract concepts and applications. I don’t want to do my students a disservice by expecting them to be at a higher level abstraction level than they really are. As a teacher I must use scaffolding to help my classroom stay on task. If students are not in their Zone of Proximal development, they are more likely to get frustrated, lose motivation, and then get off task which in turn disrupts other students who are trying to learn. Which is again why it is so important that teachers stimulate student thinking; instead, of just telling the students to take all information at face value. Learning will take place in the classroom, not on the homework. Classroom time will be spent on relevant material, and will be “for” the students.

In my classroom I will not tolerate constant disruption or misbehavior. I will create about 5 general classroom rules. The consequences for breaking the rules would be made clear. In making these I will take into account that rewards and punishments have a huge effect on student behavior (BLT). I will be consistent in the way I handle discipline, being fair in the way I handle every situation and allowing students the chance to personally explain their situation to me. Students will know what is expected of them when they walk into my classroom and will have to choose whether they will abide by these expectations.

Finally, the way my classroom will be set up will be very intentional. I will try to diminish as many distractions as possible. My math manipulatives will be stored on the side of the classroom to ensure they won’t be a distraction to anyone. In conclusion, classroom management is one of the most important roles that teachers have. If a teacher can’t manage a classroom how can they expect their students to learn anything in their class? Therefore, as future teachers we should strive to keep our classroom managed in every area.