Classroom Management (How Do You Balance Being the Cool Teacher and the Serious Instructor?)

 

I have probably mentioned before that I have had to work on transitions and classroom management before.  If so, I won't go into detail, but as I have spent more time in the classroom this semester than any other, I have realized, I am starting to change.  It is easy to feel bad sometimes when students are reprimanded in front of us at first  and also when we have to get on to them.  We all want their love and attention, but we first need their respect.  I believe when we gain that respect both students and teacher will develop the other part of the relationship.  That doesn't mean we are hard on them and ask them to ZIP-IT! at every little word out of place or disruption. 

Here's what I mean.  Let's say you have a student (I do) who knows the answer to everything you throw at them.  They are also disruptive throughout the day when they should be working or helping their small group.  When you ask a question to the class and they speak out of turn....every time...do you get onto them?  Or do you allow them to speak?  Well, it is easier just to let them speak, but then when you are trying to teach the entire class or have others answer, it can become an issue.  From what we have learned, I would say this is great and that they are very intelligent and they are.  But if we allow this to continue, the next thing you know there are 4 or 6 students talking out of turn.  Then one student is upset because they have been raising their hand and you didn't call them.  See where I am going here?  So it is a good and a bad thing.  The other issue I have had is students walking around the back of the room during the tiny bit of direct instruction (sorry edTPA) that I have been giving.  Sharpening pencils, throwing away trash, grabbing some scissors etc...  When I look back at my recordings, I really noticed this a lot.  So what do you do about it?

Well, I received some great advice from my wife, Clarker and my CE.  The most common answer was, as Andy Griffith says: "Nip it in the bud!"  Now this doesn't mean yell, scream or scorn obviously, but if we want our students to listen to us or pay attention to a lesson, we have to instruct them to do so.  There will be other times for discussion and or "free learning" as I like to say, but considering we have on average 24-28 students (some possibly more....hopefully with an assistant) of all different abilities, attention spans and interest, there are times when we HAVE to make sure they are all hearing us.  Even today, I noticed my CE lead them in a lesson and gave thorough instructions TWICE and they still were coming up one by one asking what to do next.  So it is important to really be assured they are paying attention.  Other methods could be calling out the students (anonymously of course i.e; "I see someone with a yellow shirt walking around who should be paying attention) or awarding DoJo points (behavior motivator system we use) to those who are doing the right thing.  But to "nip it in the bud" at the beginning seems to be the place to start in my opinion.  As we have learned and can see the fruit of the structure established at the beginning of the year, we can see the importance of this major function of our classroom throughout the year.

In an article from Bright Hub, the author lists 5 methods to deal with classroom disruption as well as some of the possible causes.  I won't go over each one, but one that stuck out to me was #5: " Keep the lesson moving. If you have a forty-five minute period, plan three different activities. Try to get them up out of their seats at least once during the class period. Those students with pent up energy will thank you for it."  Now this doesn't keep them from getting up during direct instruction, but limiting our lecture time can really improve our "control" of the class and giving more hands on projects and portions of the lesson to students will limit the amount of possible interruptions.  We all have different tolerances for talkers, walkers and class clowns.  I happen to be the father of 2 boys, so I have had my patience tried many times.  So you be your own judge.  The issue in my opinion would be if you have a speaker, a Principal or another student teacher trying to talk, teach or present to your class.  So even though you may be capable of handling disruptions, your students need to respect you, their classmates and other adults in and out of the classroom.  This will reflect on you.

This falls in line with NCPTS:

 

Ia • Teachers lead in their classrooms.

IVg: Teachers communicate effectively.

So my friends, the journey continues.  Fine what works best for you, but find something that works the best!  It is our job to not only teach content but to help develop well rounded, respectful and loving citizens into society.  This is not a 9-5er, this is a honorable and very important position we are about to take on.  Don't worry so much about being a "cool" teacher but consider being a respectful, responsible and great leader!  At the end of the day, you may lose cool points and that's fine.  But being a loving, caring and thorough teacher will be worth more than all the cool points in the world.  Plus....you will be able to teach more effectively and not be discouraged.

Resources:

http://www.brighthubeducation.com/classroom-management/3318-top-5-strategies-from-veteran-teacher/