Managing_a_Class

I show my student that they matter by greeting them by their name with a smile and show them I am interested in their questions and comments as well as displaying a sense of humor. I would also ask them how their day was going. Giving them positive feedback regularly that is both genuine and brief. I would show each student a sense of belonging and inclusion. In other words, I would ensure there is fairness when giving each student their turn in class. I would encourage students to take responsibility while offering them comfort in distress. For that student who was absent from class, I would welcome them back. At all times I would avoid any type of put down or unfavorable comparison. The best way to show them I care and respect them is to actually listen to them while giving them eye contact. I would put down anything I am working on, and give them my undivided attention. Letting them know I think what they have to say is important to me. In my opinion, giving students independence and opportunities to make decisions regarding assignments, assisting in the development of classroom rules, and expressing their opinions on classroom comments and discussions. I would ask myself why the student is misbehaving. Is it because they are looking for attention, is it a power struggle, are they displaying feelings of frustration, or is it for revenge' For example, when I realize a student is feeling like a failure or frustrated, it is up to me to ensure they are headed for success. For those students who just want attention, I will catch them doing something positive and compliment or commend them on it. No one wins in power struggles. By exerting and showing patience I am modeling positive behavior for the student. I will strive to keep a positive tone at all times. For example, I have a student name Tommy who is at his desk with his legs stretched out and students have to step over him. He is in a power struggle. I know that I have to tread lightly and show patience. My reply would be, “Tommy, could you please sit up straight in your seat and put your feet on the floor'” “Class, did you know that using the proper posture can help you to concentrate and it also prevents any physical discomfort or back pain in later years.” I do not agree with the saying, “Don’t smile til Christmas.” First off, it is not my personality. I cannot help but to smile. I have always been told, “Even when you are not in the best of mood, smile, because it makes you feel better.” We can smile and feel good or feel good and smile. Either way they both work. Life for many of our students are tough at every level, it is my job as a teacher to create a safe, happy environment that will make learning in class fun. I believe in being a warm demander. Even though I may make many demands from my students my tone will be warm. I have high expectations and believe that when students are learning, laughter makes it that much memorable. Because I have a natural sense of humor, throwing in a few laughs here and there increases student learning. In the same token I do believe in getting classroom behavior under control first, because it would require less of an effort to stop bad behavior. Also, I have more time teaching the students. When participating in a collaborative activity, I would go over with students’ homework assignment from the night before. This particular homework assignment involved me taking a picture of each student in my classroom. Each student was given a questionnaire that asked questions such as: favorite books, hobbies, sports, singer, foods, drinks, and place. Then I will hand out a prepared questionnaire to each student that contains questions about favorite books, sports, singers, foods, hobbies or places. When the questionnaires are completed, students share their responses with one another in groups of three. Students are asked to observe their peers' questionnaires looking for "similarities" or something they have in common. Student pictures are posted on a bulletin board titled "Common Relations." strips of construction paper are used for students to connect the pictures. Students must describe the connection in writing on each strip that connects two pictures. For instance, a strip labeled "We each have two sisters" will connect the pictures of two students who each have two sisters. A strip labeled "Michael Jackson" will connect the pictures of two students who listed that singer as their favorite. We will end it with discussions of how different cultures have many similarities. Some strategies I will use will first be to pick a spot in class that I will always start my instructions and directions while displaying enthusiasm and energy. This way where I always stand will indicate to students it is time to pay attention to what I am saying. As I am assigning independent work, I will be moving around the room and monitoring students. This way, when a student seems to be off task, I will stop and stand in front of their desk and put my hand on their desk. When this student looks at me, I will look right in their face and gesture what I want from them if they are horsing around, and smile when they comply, and move away while still instructing and handing out information. For that student who is tapping his pencil on the desk, I will gently place my hand over their pencil. If I am teaching in front of the class, I will say, “I noticed 15 people paying attention to the board. Well done class! I now see 20….etc.” this way I am reminding students of my expectations while not picking out one particular person. All is this is done in a happy and likeable way. Assignments will be given out one at a time. We will start the class off discussing global warming and climate change. I will pass out facts sheets and have students read it and when they were done to write down 10 things they love about nature. They will be given 15 minutes to read and write down their answers. Afterwards, we will discuss what students have read while calling on several individual students to respond to what they have written down. In my experience in school, it seems positive recognition awards were given out during students last year of a school. For example, Eighth graders graduating from middle school would receive awards such as exceptional or special effort in class, most improved attitude in school work, most improved attitude in behavior, outstanding work in school sports, honor roll, community service, sportsmanship award, etc. However, there have been times when I wanted to make known the positive recognition of a student before this time. For example, a basketball player on my basketball team did a wonderful job in keeping the rest of the basketball players focused and helped them to show sportsmanlike conduct during a really rough game. For her efforts and commitment, I commended her on a job well done and presented her with a sportsmanship award and a gift certificate to McDonalds. For students doing well in class or paying attention in class who normally would not, I would say something like, “James, I really liked how you were on task today.” I knew you could do it!” “Keep up the good work, I am proud of you.” I would obtain all parent contact information in the beginning of the year. I would then contact all parents via email or telephone introducing myself. I would then let parents know I would be sending home updates during mid marks period for each four marking period. These updates would include their child’s progress and asked that they signed form so that I knew they had read and received it. I would encourage parents to come to conferences to discuss what we did in our class and to see their child’s progress in class. When parents come in during conference, I will show them around and point different things the students worked on in addition to what their grades are at the time. In addition, I will have large index cards with each student’s name on them and underneath is notes during reading time or test time and it will show growth of each child over several days. This shows parents what we do in class and what we worked on and how each child did.