Classroom Settings and Management Dan Scanlon

Table of Contents  Classroom Settings: 3-8 Classroom Settings  Classroom Management: 9-14 Classroom Management  Voki: 15 Voki  Extending Classroom Settings and Management: Extending Classroom Settings and Management  Discipline : Discipline  Bullying: 24 Bullying  Additional Resources: Additional Resources  Don’t Forget: 27 Don’t Forget  Summary: Summary  Contact Info: 30 Contact Info

Classroom Settings What are they?  Day to day runnings of the classroom  Includes things like the arrangement of desks and decorations on walls  Also includes procedural items such as what to do when handing in homework, when missing class, etc

Classroom Settings Why are they important?  Students need a routine to develop comfort in the classroom  A lack of routine causes many problems (not knowing when to hand things in, not knowing where to sit every day, etc)  It is hard to teach effectively when you are always altering classroom settings – consistency is key

Classroom Settings What are some effective classroom settings?  Assigned seats work for younger students, but older students may see it as a sign of respect if they can choose their own seats  Having a folder or box to put completed homework in helps students know where to put assignments  An “absent folder” containing handouts and assignments from previous days allows students who have missed class to easily catch up

Classroom Settings - Posters  Posters can do a number of things to a classroom  Makes the classroom more vibrant  Can be used to establish classroom rules and expectations  Can also have inspirational quotes to motivate students

Classroom Settings Example Setups This setting works well for a “traditional” classroom. The teacher’s desk works well in the back because it discourages cheating because students do not know where the teacher is looking. This works well for class discussion as students face each other and the teacher’s desk is in the middle, serving as a moderator.

Classroom Settings Example Posters All of these posters either set up rules/expectations or are encouraging, which is needed in the classroom.

Classroom Management What is it?  How the classroom is run  While classrooms settings are physical things, classroom management is more about policies  This includes what to do when students act out, late/absent policy, grading policies

Classroom Management Why is it important?  Helps develop rapport with students  Establishes that the teacher should be treated with respect  Creates clear guidelines so students and parents know what to expect ahead of time

Classroom Management How can a classroom be managed effectively?  Write a comprehensive classroom management plan  Implement this plan on day 1  Don’t use absolutes (every time [blank] happens, you will be given a detention, when [blank] occurs, it will always result in a lowered grade)  This is because absolutes are hard to follow because every situation is different – go case by case instead

Classroom Management  A letter home is a good way to start a management plan  It allows parents to understand what their students need to do to succeed  Punishment isn’t addressed – it shows that it is expected that students will respect the plan

Classroom Management Proximity  Proximity is one of the best classroom management methods  When a student is acting out or talking, simply standing near them will make them stop

Classroom Management – In Practice  w-teacher-classroom-management w-teacher-classroom-management  This video follows a teacher explaining her classroom management strategy and shows it in practice

Voki  ?scid= &height=267&widt h=200 ?scid= &height=267&widt h=200  Vokis are online avatars that can be used to extend classroom management  Can remind students of homework, due dates, or anything else relating to the classroom

Extending Classroom Settings and Management

 DigitalNatives1.docx DigitalNatives1.docx  The above file (pictured on the left) features 12 educational applications  These applications allow students to continue learning outside the classroom

Extending Classroom Settings and Management  Using the services listed in the previous three slides, as well as many more, learning can happen beyond the classroom  These services allow students to track grades, submit assignments, check attendance, contact their teachers and classmates, etc  Involvement is increased when using these services

Discipline  Classroom management plans will not always be followed – which is where discipline comes in  Discipline is more than yelling at a student or giving them a detention  Outside help can be sought when disciplining a student, but only under certain circumstances

Discipline Do’s  Take the student outside of class if immediate issue  If not, wait until after class and talk to student privately  If the issue involves multiple students, talk to them separately to get differing perspectives and then bring them together if needed  Identify cause of problem and try to fix that  Give appropriate punishment based on severity of situation (detention, call home, suspension, etc)  Seek outside help (only if necessary)

Discipline Don’ts  Do not use homework as a punishment – homework should reinforce lessons, not punish students  Do not discipline students in front of the entire class – that will embarrass the student  Do not yell – this shows that you cannot control the class  Do not assume to know why a student is acting out – they may have a home life you aren’t aware of  REMEMBER – regardless of how a student may act, they are almost never mad at YOU – they are just taking it out on you because you are the one talking to them

Discipline When to seek outside help  You should be able to handle difficult students on your own, but sometimes outside help is needed  Principal, nurse, guidance counselor, other teacher, parents/guardians  They can offer insight to factors in a students life (like parents and other teachers)  They can also offer support you aren’t trained for (guidance counselor)  Students tend to listen to the principal more because of their high ranking position – but this should be a LAST RESORT

Discipline Philosophy  It is more important to understand a student’s problem than to punish them  Typically, students act out because of something going on in their life, not just because they want to cause trouble  Fixing these problems may also eliminate discipline problems  When students truly do cause a problem, punishment is necessary  Punishment should be given out according to the management plan

Bullying  Bullying most certainly is a disciplinary issue  Bullying, under no circumstances, should be tolerated  Something that MUST be addressed in a management plan  More information on bullying can be found on this PowerPoint: Bullying1.pptxBullying1.pptx

Additional Resources  scavenger hunt.docx scavenger hunt.docx  The websites listed can help improve classroom settings, management, and discipline policies  They include education websites, like the NEA’s website, news websites, like CNN, and social media websites, like Pinterest  All of the websites have tips and advice from professionals above improving your classroom

Additional Resources

Don’t Forget…  Classroom settings, management, and discipline are all designed to create the best environment for you and the students  Every decision made regarding these subjects should improve the relationship between students and teachers

Summary Classroom Settings and Management  Classroom settings – daily runnings of classroom  Includes arrangement of seats and posters on the walls  Classroom management – rules for classroom  Need to be established on day one and are best if set up on a case by case scenario Extending Settings and Management  Online services (Moodle, Quizlet, Canvas, etc)  Allow students to track grades and contact teachers and other students  Allow for interaction outside of the classroom

Summary (cont) Discipline  Adhere to management plan  Many do’s and don’ts to discipline  Goal shouldn’t be to punish student – it should be to understand cause of problem and fix it  Bullying absolutely cannot be tolerated

Dan Scanlon danscanlon.weebly.com For more information