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Introduction to effective classroom management
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Recommended: Introduction to effective classroom management
I recently took a course on cooperative discipline and found that many of my own beliefs and practices involving discipline in the classroom were validated and reinforced throughout the class. Students do choose how they will behave and the best way (maybe even the easiest way) to get them to make the right choices in the classroom is to foster a feeling of mutual respect and to give them a sense of responsibility or classroom ownership. Kids want discipline, or maybe to put it differently they want structure and predictability. And the nice thing about Linda Albert’s cooperative discipline model is that it gives the students exactly what they need. But what are our responsibilities? Linda Albert tells us that “the ultimate goal of student behavior is to fulfill a need to belong”, so it is our job to fill that need by helping the student to feel capable, connected, and able to contribute (in a positive way) to the group.
To help students to feel capable, connected and contributing (or the three C’s) Linda Albert asks us to make five fundamental changes to our classrooms, or what she calls “Paradigm Shifts in Cooperative Discipline” (see figure 2). Firstly, we need to move away from a “hands-on” or “hands-clenched” approach to discipline, which is an authoritarian style of classroom discipline, to a “hands-joined” or democratic style of classroom management. Secondly, we need to recognize that student behavior is a choice, and not caused by some outside force, though these forces may influence student behavior it is ultimately the student’s decision on how they will act in your classroom. Thirdly, she asks us to abandon our long list of classroom rules and replace it with a concise code of conduct; shifting the classroom atmosph...
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...ple teachers and school personnel. “Like all of us, these students need to believe in themselves and to feel successful in their daily lives” (Albert, 2003).
The job of a teacher is never easy but we have seen how cooperative discipline and enabling students to feel capable, connected and contributing can improve classroom management and maybe even our own moods. If we create an environment of mutual respect and give our students legitimate power of voice and choice in the classroom we will see positive results in improved student behavior and student achievement. Because when our students believe that they can succeed, they will.
References
Albert, L. (2003). Cooperative discipline. Circle Pines, MN: AGS Publishing.
Albert, L., Kyle, P., & Gilbert, J. (Ed.). (2010). Cooperative discipline graduate course workbook. Randolph, NJ: Regional Training Center.
Nelsen, J., Lott, L., & Glenn, S. (2000). Positive discipline in the classroom developing mutual respect, cooperation, and responsibility in your classrooms, 3rd ed. (p. 120). Roseville, Califonia: Prima Publishing.
(2005, Charles) The premise of Assertive Discipline is that both teachers and students have the “need and right” (2005, Charles) to a caring and respectful classroom environment. Teachers are required to facilitate learning and assist students in reaching their full potential. This is accomplished by teachers clearly and confidently articulating class expectations and teaching student’s what behavior is “acceptable and unacceptable” (Marsh 2010 p233). Cooperative behavior is encouraged by “incentives and recognition” (Lyons et al., 2014) whilst unruly behaviour is managed with a “hierarchy of sanctions” (Lyons et al., 2014). Equally, teachers also have the right to facilitate learning in a proficient manner without interruptions from students and have support from administrators and parents. (Berghuis, 2005,
Classroom management is defined as “teachers’ strategies that create and maintain an orderly learning environment” (Eggen & Kauchak, 2007, p. 371). Classroom management is to be differentiated from discipline, which is the response to misbehavior. The distinction is important to make because teachers’ views of classroom management are often discipline-focused. However, as psychologist Jacob Kounin claims, discipline is just a small part of classroom management (Eggen & Kauchak, 2007, p. 371). Most of classroom management should be a proactive, rather than reactive, process. Just as the United States declared war on Iraq before a direct attack occurred, teachers can use classroom management as a sort of “preemptive strike” against misbehavior (here defined as anything that prevents learning) before it attacks them. The process of classroom management, however, is less controversial than declaring war; it is instead an essential ingredient to maximizing learning in the classroom.
Savage, T. V., & Savage, M. K. (2009). Successful classroom management and discipline: Teaching self-control and responsibility (3rd ed.). Retrieved from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/9781452286754/pages/61650061
In the 21st century, teachers experience many behavioral issues with students in the classroom and face challenges that are very difficult to resolve. School districts have different expectations about how students must behave during school and teachers have their own expectations about how students must behave in their classroom. Every educator has different classroom expectations and students must follow specific standards; therefore, the responsibility of the teacher is to discuss the standards with all students and make sure those expectations are clear. According to Jones and Jones (2016), teachers whose students made greater achievement gains were observed establishing rules and procedures, and carefully monitoring student’s work. In
In order to learn, students need discipline with dignity. They need to know that misbehavior is not okay, and that there are rules and standards to live by in the classroom, just like there is in the “real world”. Students, when given a routine and are treated with structure, generally perform better. By instilling discipline in the classroom, I hope to provide a more stable and more effective learning environment for all.
Our first social relationship begins with family. The way a child interacts with parents, grandparents, and siblings is his or her first introduction to social behavior. These behaviors, although not instinctive, are learned from observing and relating to others (Johnson, D. & Johnson, R., 1989). Unfortunately, some social behavior in families can produce negative responses. As educators, we first see characteristics of social behaviors in preschool. Most parents send their children to preschool to enhance socialization with children their own age. They do so in the hopes of giving a good foundation for social competence (Jalongo, 2006).
Education serves as the foundation to a lifetime of learning. Since every child is unique, I believe that it is important for them to learn in an environment that is both secure and stimulating. By creating this type of atmosphere, the students will be able to realize their intelligence and use it constructively. As a future educator, it will be my goal to establish a classroom that is, 1) non-authoritarian, 2) student-centered, and 3) focused around student experience. These three elements are part of Progressivism, the educational philosophy I plan to incorporate in my classroom.
Classroom management, involving all the strategies used by teachers in order to provide order in the classroom, can be regarded as an essential for effective teaching and learning. According to Davis (1981), “basic classroom management is just plain good sense. Yet, it can be as personal as your private lifestyle” (p.79). One of the biggest challenge teachers face day in and day out is dealing with behavior of children and young pupils in classroom. Therefore, the classroom practice of individual teachers would be the key aspect of improving the behavior of pupils in schools (Hart, 2010). One of the significant attribute of promise to teaching, especially in classroom behavior management, is teacher’s sense of efficacy. According to Woolfolk-Hoy (2000), development of self-efficacy is essential for producing effective, committed and ardent teachers, Moreover, teachers who are trained to be more effective in meeting both academic and non-academic student needs create a positive and successful classroom environment for all students (Alvares, 2007). The importance of self-efficacy in behavior management has been highlighted by Martin, linfoot, and stephenson (1999) who proposed that teacher’ responses to misbehavior may be mediated by their beliefs about their ability to deal with behavior, as well as their beliefs about the causes of student misbehavior.
Nelsen, J., Lott, L., & Glenn, S. (2000, p. xiii). Positive Discipline in the Classroom: Developing Mutual Respect, Cooperation, and Responsibility in your Classroom. (3rd ed.). Roseville, California, USA: Prima Publishing
The Democratic Discipline (DD) model could be incorporated as it insists students can self-regulate their behaviour, take responsibility for completing homework tasks, and develop an understanding of consequence (Edwards & Watts, 2008). This can include students in decisions on rewards and punishments by brainstorming ideas and drawing up contracts for everyone to sign outlining responsibilities, rights, and what rewards/punishments will be received (Konza, 2001). Sophie can then make sure students understand the purpose and match homework to their interests and skills. This can result in positive engagement with the activity and enhance progression (California Department of Education, 2000). The DD model could be crucial in conjunction with Sophie’s upper-primary students as it can aid in their independence for entering secondary
Discipline is intended to cease misbehavior in the classroom. Effective classroom management procedures contribute to an environment that enhance learning and reduce discipline problems (Edwards, 2004). The goal of discipline is to help students learn to control their own behavior. Effective teachers apply various disciplinary techniques that help in curtailing misbehavior and promote self-discipline in students (Charles, 1996). Effective discipline is emotionally disconnected from student actions (Henley, Ramsey and Algozzine, 1999). According to Dreikurs, discipline is a process in which students learn to impose reasonable limits on themselves (Charles, 1996).
When everyone is pursuing a common goal, dealing with behavior problems eventually become self-regulating. Win-Win Discipline enables people to work together to find mutual solutions to behavior problems. The ultimate goal is not to stop or end disruptive behavior, but to teach responsibility and self-control. The foundations of this model are their three pillars of win-win discipline: preventive measures; the ABCD of disruptive behaviors (aggression, breaking rules, confrontation, or disengagement); student positions; class rules; moment of disruption structures; follow up structures; and life skills. The three pillars are the foundation of the behavioral model which are: everyone is on the same side; everyone collaborates on solutions; and everyone learns proactive responsibility from each situation regardless of their
Wubbels (2011) noted that teachers normally cite classroom management, with student misbehavior and discipline included, as one of the prominent problems they encounter. Such is particularly the case with beginner teachers who consistently acknowledge classroom management to be their highest priority. Harmful effects of poor classroom management promote student resistance and misbehaviors (Wubbels, 2011). Contrastingly, orderly classroom environment enhance student achievement and promote students’ learning responsibility. Having the students plan and undertake their own learning
With the proper guidance and support, teachers can achieve academic excellence in the classroom. They follow their principal’s vision and share their goals. Teachers also serve as leaders in their classroom. They share their vision and goals with their students promoting positive attitudes in the classroom. Just like it is important for principals to respect and understand what their teachers need, students also need the support, understanding, respect and empathy from their teachers. When teachers demonstrate commitment in the classroom and set high expectations they raise the level of learning in the classroom. Teachers that work with the students and their parents to understand and meet their needs will achieve positive academic outcomes. Students engage in learning with positive attitudes and strive for high achievements. Teachers work together with their leaders to improve their teaching