Mick's Portfolio

My view of classroom management has changed as I have worked with students and talked with other teachers. Even before classes begin, I think about how the room is arranged. I have looked at two arrangements that seem to have worked well for other teachers. Tables where students can work in groups of four, or chairs with no desks or tables. Group work, and especially an arrangement where students can be moved regularly to different groups, gets them to understand that in life they don't always get to choose who they work with and that they have to cooperate to succeed.

An arrangement without desks in the way makes it easy to rearrange the room for a seminar, or to put the students in rows, or in a semi-circle, or to move them out of the way completely. It also prevents students from putting their heads on the desk or for using the desk as a cover for texting or video games.

On the first day, students need understand the rules and the culture of the classroom. I must get across to the students what is and is not acceptable. Some rules are usually pretty obvious, but often need to be explained again such as not to interrupt when someone else is speaking. Other rules might not be so obvious such as being able to question sources or the authority presenting them, but doing so in a respectful manner. I want to put up a colorful poster with the non-negotiable rules (that focuses on the positive) in a conspicuous place as a constant reminder.

The culture will include a focus on learning. I especially want to end the perception that a lot of students have that it's cool to not learn. An “F” should never be a badge of honor. To that end, I want to see students enjoy themselves. If they're having fun, they might not think that they're actually learning something, though they will remember the lesson. Students seem to learn more when they're active. I'd like to have them involved in more hands-on activities.

I have modified my view of electronic devices in the classroom. I used to think “Never!” I realize with that attitude, I will be fighting a losing battle. Smart phones do have useful applications and if the students learn that texting, listening to music, and playing video games in the classroom are not alright, then the phones may have their uses. Phones are now calculators, dictionaries, e-book readers, planners, and have access to the internet to do research. The students will have to earn my trust. If they cannot use them wisely, then I will take them, and they can pick them up after class, after school, or their parents can pick them up.

I would like to trust my students to be motivated enough to learn on their own. I know for most of them that's not the case. There needs to be guidance and discipline so that when they leave school, they will have that motivation.