Megan Hilton's Teaching Portfolio
Classroom Management
The foundation for a successful school year is laid on the first day of school. Everything one does the first day sets the tone for the rest of the year. Spending time planning and organizing the first day’s activities is on the of the most valuable investments a teacher can make. One of the most important things as a teacher is to provide a safe and comfortable classroom environment and maximizing opportunities for student learning is an important factor in governing student behavior. Student behavior and student achievement are directly related to how well teachers establish good, workable classroom procedures, beginning the very first day. Good procedures allow a great variety of activities to occurs, often several at the same time, with little confusion. The Wongs 2000 suggest a three-step method for teaching procedures: explain and rehearse. The teacher states, explains and demonstrates the procedures. The students practice the procedure under teacher supervision. As a teacher one should create a place where students feel genuinely. A teacher should have a number of procedures set up to help classroom management and discipline.
An important procedure is a morning entry. An effective morning entry routine would look something like this; children empty back packs, bring in homework and enter in quietly and in an orderly manner. Children begin working on their daily math and the teacher greets the children. Children turn in their homework in their labeled folder.
An effective desk procedure would look something like this; students only have their math journal, vocabulary notebook, textbooks and supply box. Toys, food, and loose paper do not belong in children’s desks. Children will be asked to keep hands, feet, paper, books, and pencils off neighbor’s desks. Children will push in their chair every time they get up and keep their area cleaned up.
An effective hallway procedure would be set up like this. Children will, stand in two lines. Children will practice marshmallow mouths in the hallways to remind them to travel to and from the classroom quietly.
As a teacher one will have classroom jobs and duties to help students feel a sense of pride and responsibility. A teacher should have a restroom and drinking fountain procedure. A restroom procedure will allow for only one student at a time to go, students will use a hand signal to direct the teachers attention that they need to use the restroom. Students will be asked to return quietly. Students will be asked to drink water or go to the bathroom at recess, lunch, or when work is finished.
An effective classroom should provide opportunities for students to be successful and allow children to participate, share, learn and cooperate with one another. There should be a discipline approach that contains rules and consequences. Consequences are conditions that teacher and children have agreed to invoke when students misbehave. This should happen on the first day of school and before the procedures are set up one should organize the physical environment in a cohesive and appropriate fashion.
In order to organize the physical environment the teacher needs to organize it so that children know where to find what they need and how to help maintain a sense of order. The teacher needs to follow a consistent schedule and set of routines so children know the day is predictable. And finally, there are clear expectations about behavior. The teacher has established these expectations by involving the children in creating the rules for the classroom, identifying jobs for maintaining the classroom, and introducing the proper use and care of materials.
A respectful, supportive learning environment uses the adage “Praise publicly, criticize privately.” Even when reprimanding or critizing students’ behavior, one should do it in a style that leaves their dignity intact. A teacher should aim to talk with each student every day, even if it is only a smile and greeting as they leave or enter the classroom. One should get to know their students better and build rapport as well as discover the frustrations, challenges, disappointments, and conflicts face each student. In order for students to fill respected a teacher should recognize birthday and other special occasions and value student opinion and ideas.
All teachers want their children to become confident, competent learners and in order to do this the teacher must serve as a guide in the learning process. Teachers must have solid understanding of the content that is being taught and they should know the students they teach because they can better plan experiences that support each child’s learning. In any classroom children bring diverse experiences, have a wide range of interests, and learn at different rates. When instruction is authentic, engaging and fun children begin to see themselves as successful and competent learners.
When working with families from diverse cultures and backgrounds, it is extremely helpful to know something about traditional values and attitudes may influence ones interactions. Family cultural values may conflict with school expectations. For example, some families have a relaxed attitude toward time and do not view punctuality as especially important. The teacher may view tardiness as a sign of disrespect. An understanding of culture begins with gaining awareness of one’s own cultural background and influences. It is helpful when teachers know something about the specific cultures represented in their community and among the families in their class.
A pleasant classroom environment where students behave responsibly is essential for high-quality teaching and learning. Teachers, in their efforts to maintain such environments, work to help students show initiative, accept responsibility, and interact positively with others.
An important procedure is a morning entry. An effective morning entry routine would look something like this; children empty back packs, bring in homework and enter in quietly and in an orderly manner. Children begin working on their daily math and the teacher greets the children. Children turn in their homework in their labeled folder.
An effective desk procedure would look something like this; students only have their math journal, vocabulary notebook, textbooks and supply box. Toys, food, and loose paper do not belong in children’s desks. Children will be asked to keep hands, feet, paper, books, and pencils off neighbor’s desks. Children will push in their chair every time they get up and keep their area cleaned up.
An effective hallway procedure would be set up like this. Children will, stand in two lines. Children will practice marshmallow mouths in the hallways to remind them to travel to and from the classroom quietly.
As a teacher one will have classroom jobs and duties to help students feel a sense of pride and responsibility. A teacher should have a restroom and drinking fountain procedure. A restroom procedure will allow for only one student at a time to go, students will use a hand signal to direct the teachers attention that they need to use the restroom. Students will be asked to return quietly. Students will be asked to drink water or go to the bathroom at recess, lunch, or when work is finished.
An effective classroom should provide opportunities for students to be successful and allow children to participate, share, learn and cooperate with one another. There should be a discipline approach that contains rules and consequences. Consequences are conditions that teacher and children have agreed to invoke when students misbehave. This should happen on the first day of school and before the procedures are set up one should organize the physical environment in a cohesive and appropriate fashion.
In order to organize the physical environment the teacher needs to organize it so that children know where to find what they need and how to help maintain a sense of order. The teacher needs to follow a consistent schedule and set of routines so children know the day is predictable. And finally, there are clear expectations about behavior. The teacher has established these expectations by involving the children in creating the rules for the classroom, identifying jobs for maintaining the classroom, and introducing the proper use and care of materials.
A respectful, supportive learning environment uses the adage “Praise publicly, criticize privately.” Even when reprimanding or critizing students’ behavior, one should do it in a style that leaves their dignity intact. A teacher should aim to talk with each student every day, even if it is only a smile and greeting as they leave or enter the classroom. One should get to know their students better and build rapport as well as discover the frustrations, challenges, disappointments, and conflicts face each student. In order for students to fill respected a teacher should recognize birthday and other special occasions and value student opinion and ideas.
All teachers want their children to become confident, competent learners and in order to do this the teacher must serve as a guide in the learning process. Teachers must have solid understanding of the content that is being taught and they should know the students they teach because they can better plan experiences that support each child’s learning. In any classroom children bring diverse experiences, have a wide range of interests, and learn at different rates. When instruction is authentic, engaging and fun children begin to see themselves as successful and competent learners.
When working with families from diverse cultures and backgrounds, it is extremely helpful to know something about traditional values and attitudes may influence ones interactions. Family cultural values may conflict with school expectations. For example, some families have a relaxed attitude toward time and do not view punctuality as especially important. The teacher may view tardiness as a sign of disrespect. An understanding of culture begins with gaining awareness of one’s own cultural background and influences. It is helpful when teachers know something about the specific cultures represented in their community and among the families in their class.
A pleasant classroom environment where students behave responsibly is essential for high-quality teaching and learning. Teachers, in their efforts to maintain such environments, work to help students show initiative, accept responsibility, and interact positively with others.
