Classroom Management
Classroom management is critical to ensure the classroom is an efficient and effective learning environment. During my internship year, I was privileged to be in several different classrooms, in which I needed to establish expectations. Prior to the first day in each new class, I prepared a set of expectations and that I would like to have in place in the classroom. On the first day of class, I like to give the students an opportunity to share about their ideal classroom and expectations they believe should be set for the class. We brainstorm together and I like to place the ideas at the front of the room for the whole class to see. As a class, we determine the most important expectations and I suggest a few of my expectations if they were not already suggested. I like to allow my students to feel their classroom is theirs and that we are all there for students to grow as learners. By incorporating students in setting classroom expectations, I believe it gives them that sense of importance in the classroom. Classroom expectations are then placed on a large poster in the front of the room and used as a reminder throughout the year.
Norms for classroom routines at the start of class, bathroom, use of materials, homework, responding, working with others, and end of class are all discussed on the first day and practiced throughout the first few weeks of school to ensure routines are continued throughout the whole school year. Norms for routines differ depending on the grade level and school.
Norms for classroom routines at the start of class, bathroom, use of materials, homework, responding, working with others, and end of class are all discussed on the first day and practiced throughout the first few weeks of school to ensure routines are continued throughout the whole school year. Norms for routines differ depending on the grade level and school.
Positive Behavior Reinforcement
Positive behavior reinforcement can be extremely beneficial in the classroom. Although it is my goal to have students be intrinsically motivated to learn, it is important to have a way to motivate students when behaviors become challenging. I have used a variety of positive behavior reinforcement throughout student teaching. I am a firm believer that students, regardless of their age, love to be rewarded for doing good on anything!
Whole Class positive reinforcement
Whole Class positive reinforcement
- 3rd Grade Marble Jars: Our class was broken into five tables, each assigned a different color. Each table had a marble jar at the front of the room that would be filled whenever a table was acting positively. Positive acts included: staying quiet during transitions, being prepared with materials, sharing materials with one another, working well with one another, raising hands rather than calling out, etc. This promoted teamwork and held students accountable because they did not want to let their other table mates down. Each time a group reached the top of their marble jar, they received popcorn during their reading time.
- 3rd Grade Bee Bucks: Bee Bucks were a school-wide positive incentive plan to reward students for following the three B's throughout the school. Bee Buck tickets were given to students by any teacher. These were especially beneficial in our classroom during bathroom time. As a class, each table would be dismissed for the bathroom line and we would walk in two single filed lines, one for the boys and one for the girls. Students needing to go to the bathroom would line up against the bathroom wall, while the remaining students would stand in two single-filed lines waiting for their classmates to finish. All students in the hall during bathroom time needed to remain silent, faced-forward, with hands to their own body. Any student who portrayed these actions would receive a Bee Buck, which could be collected over the week and used at the school's Bee Bucks store.
- 3rd Grade Flashcards: Flashcards were a great way to keep students occupied in the hallway. Once the students mastered being responsible in the bathroom lines, we introduced them to flashcards in line. Each day, a different boy and girl would be chosen to go through the lines and quiz students on the flashcards. Students still needed to remain quiet, faced forward, with hands to their own bodies. Students who were able to participate appropriately received Bee Bucks.
- 7th Grade Mystery Motivator: As a long-term substitute teacher, who started during the last month of school, I wanted to think of a positive way to reinforce the students that would be easy and motivating. I knew coming into four different seventh grade classrooms at the end of the year would be challenging, but consistently implementing this positive reinforcement was extremely beneficial and allowed the classes to run effectively. For each class, I provided students with reinforcement menus, in which they provided motivators (i.e. candy, extra-credit, no homework, free time, dance party, class outside, etc.). I informed students that their motivators could be earned by following classroom expectations. Each day, a mystery motivator envelope was placed at the front of the room with a motivator inside. The envelope was placed right next to a list of two expectations the class needed to focus on (i.e. you must stay in your seat until you receive permission from your teacher, raise your hand if you would like to share with the class, papers should be walked to the garbage instead of thrown, etc.). Each time one of those expectations was broken, the class would receive a check on the board. Depending on the class, the number of checks would determine whether or not their mystery motivator chart would be filled in to reveal whether or not the class received their motivator for the day.
Home Communication
At the beginning of each teaching experience, I believe it is important to send an introduction note home with each student to ensure parents/guardians are aware of how to get in contact with the teacher and expectations for the school year. I typically communicate with parents via e-mail or telephone, but am most happy to meet with families in person! Below, you can find examples of introduction letters I have sent home throughout my internship and during my substitute teaching.
Middle School Home Letter - Internship
Elementary School Home Letter - Internship
Middle School Home Letter - Substitute Teaching
Middle School Home Letter - Internship
Elementary School Home Letter - Internship
Middle School Home Letter - Substitute Teaching