Week 4 - Classroom Management

I came across a wonderful website titled, "Web Tools for Teachers: Classroom Management". This article talks a lot classroom management in different areas, such as differentiation, grade books, learning management systems, student behavior, student response systems and engagement tools. All of the classroom management that this website lists is all technology based, as in they are apps and websites, which is great for the twenty-first learner!

Under the differentiation options for classroom management, it lists,

• Blooming Apps– A large collection of resources connected to the Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy.
• The Differentiator– Experiment to create differentiated objectives for students of all levels.

Under the grade books options for classroom management, it lists, 

• Engrade– Engrade accelerates achievement by enabling educators to connect the right learning resources to the right student at the right time.
• JumpRope– JumpRope helps teachers, schools, and districts move beyond traditional grades towards standards-based feedback on mastery.
• LearnBoost– Our beautiful design and wonderful user experience makes you wonder why you’ve been using other gradebook software.
• ThinkWave– Online gradebook and school management software with grades online for students and parents.

Under the learning management systems options for classroom management, it lists, 

Collaborize Classroom– Collaborize Classroom® is a free online collaborative education platform that allows students and teachers to transcend the boundaries of their physical classroom to engage in an online collaborative learning environment.
Edmodo– Edmodo helps connect all learners with the people and resources needed to reach their full potential.
Google Classroom– Classroom helps teachers save time, keep classes organized, and improve communication with students.
Haiku Learning–  Haiku Learning revolves around your content. Create classroom pages, add and organize content blocks, change layouts, and publish whenever you’re ready.
LearnBoost– All the software you need to manage your classroom and school.
My Big Campus– My Big Campus is a web-based social learning network developed for K-12 school districts.
Moodle– A free, open-source PHP web application for producing modular internet-based courses that support a modern social constructionist pedagogy.
NoteBookCast– A real-time shared online whiteboard in your browser, teach, explain, sketch. For work, study, fun …
SharpClass– This site offers a set of classroom tools for teachers to use every day. The primary purpose is classroom/behavior management using a web-based system, but it also includes tools for managing parent contacts, attendance, class websites, classroom jobs, learning centers, seating chart, and much more.

Under the student behavior options for classroom management, it lists, 

• Class Dojo– ClassDojo is a classroom tool that helps teachers improve behavior in their classrooms quickly and easily. It also captures and generates data on behavior that teachers can share with parents and administrators.

Under the student response and engagement tools options for classroom management, it lists, 

• ClassPager– Engage your classroom with polls, exit tickets, after-class reminders, and more — delivered to each student on their own phone or tablet.
• GoSoapBox- GoSoapBox is a web-based clicker tool used by educators around the world to keep students engaged and gain real-time insight into student comprehension.
• Mentimeter– Mentimeter allows you to use mobile phones or tablets to vote on any question you specify.
• Plickers– Plickers is a powerfully simple tool that lets teachers collect real-time formative assessment data without the need for student devices.
• Poll Everywhere– Audience response system that uses mobile phones, twitter, and the web. Responses are displayed in real-time on gorgeous charts.
• Socrative– Socrative is a smart student response system that empowers teachers to engage their classrooms through a series of educational exercises and games via smartphones, laptops, and tablets.
• TodaysMeet– TodaysMeet helps you embrace the backchannel and connect with your audience in realtime.

All of these websites and Apps are hyperlinked if you would like to click on the name and pull up the page to know more about them.

http://evscicats.com/blog/web-tools-for-teachers-classroom-management/

Week 3 - Classroom Management

The article that I found this week on classroom management, comes from the website, Bright Hub Education. The article is titled, "Top 5 Classroom Management Strategies - They Really Work!"

The first strategy that the article mentioned was to keep the lesson moving. If you have a forty minute time period, then do three or more 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.

The next strategy was to not lecture for the whole. We all have had our fair share of teachers who do this, and it is no fun at all. Students who are actively engaged in a learning activity are generally not disrupting the class. Hands-on activities work great for vivacious classrooms.

The next strategy was to talk to your students. If you see them in the hall, in the cafeteria or at the grocery store, ask them how they are. If you see a student in the local newspaper, congratulate them. If they do something nice, tell them you appreciate their kindness, This lets them know that you really do care about them.

When students are being disruptive by talking, poking, pulling or crumbling paper, go stand by them. this works best with boys. You could even teach from the back of the room by the orneriest students. This sends them a direct message to stop what they are doing. Most of the time they stop and get back to work.

The last strategy is when you have stood by the student, talked to the students and kept them busy with lessons, and they are still disruptive, take them in the hallway. Ask them, "Are you OK?" From what I read in the article if you ask them tis, they will most of the time crumble and tell you that they had a problem with something. If they are defiant, send them on to the principal.

Kids are kids. If they are not actively engaged in the lesson, they will become actively engaged in something else - disruptive behavior.

Classroom Management - Week 2

A wonderful article that I just read from TeacherVision, taught me a lot of different methods of classroom management for different problems that may arise in the classroom. The first tip was for annoying classroom distractions and how to solve those problems. I love that this article listed the steps that need to be taken for the classroom management. Here is the list that the article gave with solvers to this problem in the classroom.

 1. The students and teacher should first discuss and then write a "group" contract adopting acceptable classroom rules and procedures by the end of the first week of school.
2. Periodically review the rules and procedures of the classroom until the students can successfully adhere to them.3. Use simple verbal reprimands when the misbehavior occurs. Make sure that they are to the point, moderate in tone, and private (e.g., "Stop talking and work on your math problems, please"). 4. Give praise to the entire class as frequently as possible (e.g., "Thank you for working so quietly," or "I'm delighted to see you all working so well today").5. A student who continually exhibits an unacceptable behavior (e.g., out of his/her seat) might profit from an "individualized" contract pinpointing the "desired" behavior (e.g., remaining in his/her seat) and delineating the consequences (e.g., if goal is reached, then student will receive designated reward or recognition).6. Intervene as soon as possible in order to prevent the misbehavior from occurring (e.g., say "Harry, may I help you with your assignment?" when the student begins to show signs of frustration).7. Use facial expressions to convey to the student that the misbehavior was not totally overlooked. Circulate around the room frequently, to avert potential behavior problems.


The second problem was the question, What can be done to help students improve their interaction with authority figures? Here are the steps that the article listed to help solve those problems. 1. Provide opportunities for students to change their hostile and aggressive energy into socially acceptable channels such as sports, clubs, crafts, hobbies, etc.2. Give students reading and/or writing assignments that deal with antagonistic behaviors, and ask them to comment on different socially acceptable ways of handling conflict situations.3. Praise the students whenever they are cooperating with other adults (e.g., "That was very kind of you to help her find her keys").4. Talk to the student in private to ascertain the reason for his/her misbehavior.5. Provide the students with models of appropriate communicative behavior through role-playing activities.6. Encourage students to strive for greater self-control in as many situations as possible.7. Emphasize to students the difference that exists between acceptable communication in school and that which is used at home and/or in the community.8. Contact parents and/or administrators when there is no other way of resolving the conflict situation.9. Refer the student to appropriate staff members (e.g., the Child Study Team, if the student frequently displays uncontrollable verbal hostility). Keep anecdotal records to support your concerns.


The third question for classroom management is, How can the teacher deal with a child who becomes argumentative upon confrontation? the article gives these steps to help the student/s. 1. Do not confront the student in a group situation.2. Do not use an accusatory tone upon approaching the student.3. Evaluate the situation that led to the confrontation.4. Do not back the student into a corner. Leave room for options.5. Do not make threats that cannot be carried out.6. Allow your emotions to cool before approaching the student.7. Maintain the appearance of control at all times. Use a clear, firm voice.8. Give the child an opportunity to speak his/her piece.9. Allow for role-playing, doing role reversal.10. Try to explore and discover what led to the confrontation. Avoid repeating these circumstances.11. If you made an error, admit it!


The fourth question for classroom management is, What steps can be followed to resolve a child's constant misbehavior?1. If possible, meet with the child and describe in exact terms the behavior you find unacceptable in the classroom.2. During the discussion, explain the reason(s) why you find the behavior unacceptable.3. Be sure the child understands that it is not he/she who is unacceptable, but rather the behavior.4. Let the student know exactly what will happen if the problem continues.5. If the misbehavior occurs again, follow through with the previously planned disciplinary action.6. Throughout the process, keep the parents and the principal informed of the progress or lack of progress.7. If the child continues to misbehave and you feel that you have utilized all of your options and resources, send the child to the principal's office. Explain to the child that he/she is welcome to return when he/she is ready to follow the classroom rules.


The fifth question for classroom management is, What can be done for a student who is constantly disrupting the class in order to gain the teacher's attention? 1. Give the student a position of responsibility in the classroom and encourage him/her to set a good example for others (e.g., passing out papers).2. Post a chart in the front of the room delineating the rules to be followed when responding. For example:    1. Raise your hand if you wish to talk.
    2. Wait to be called on.
    3. Listen while others talk.    2. Wait to be called on.    3. Listen while others talk.3. Assign the student a special project of interest and let him/her present the report to the class.4. Ignore the student's annoying comments, but give praise when the student describes his/her real achievements.5. Assign the student to a small group in which he/she must participate primarily as a follower.6. Provide recognition and positive attention whenever possible.7. Model appropriate behavior every day for the student, so that he/she can see what is expected of him/her (e.g., role-playing by teacher and/or peers).8. Arrange parent conferences to discuss any factors that may be contributing to the student's problem in school (e.g., sibling rivalry).


The sixth question for classroom management is, How can you deal effectively with a "class clown"?1. Let the student know in private how you feel about his/her unacceptable behavior, and explain what is expected of him/her. Try to form a trusting relationship with this student. Listen to his/her feelings and expectations. Try to channel his/her talent for humor into something more productive, such as creating a class play or dramatic skit.2. If you think it would be beneficial, try role-playing with this student. Give him/her the role of the teacher who is trying to teach a lesson. You take on the role of the class clown and exhibit the same behaviors that he/she does in class. This may be a learning experience for the entire class!3. Explain to the student that the solution to his/her problem is his/her responsibility as well as yours. However, if the "class clown" behavior continues and it affects the level of learning for the rest of the class, then the responsibility for the solution will lie with him/her and the administration.4. Try to find the curriculum areas in which the student is interested. Give him/her some independent work in these areas and observe any change in behavior.5. Let the child gain the attention of the class in such a way that it has a positive effect on the class. The student could conduct mini-lessons, lead study groups, assist students, or make other contributions that will benefit the entire class.6. Ask for the assistance of a counselor to investigate various possible reasons for the child's need to be the "class clown."


The last question for classroom management is, How do you cope with a child who demands your constant attention?1. Give this child a special job to show that you care about and have confidence in him/her.2. Make this child the captain or leader whenever possible.3. Play games that nourish self-confidence. For example, try the Circle Game: Have children sit in a circle and take turns naming someone in the circle who has done something to help or to make him/her feel good.4. Use personal evaluation sheets. These can be as simple or as complex as you desire. In this way, you can help children express feelings and recognize their own strengths/weaknesses in a non-threatening atmosphere.5. Provide a wide variety of classroom experiences. Familiarity breeds self-confidence!6. Implement a buddy system for this child.7. Check into the home environment. See what is motivating this dependency.8. Frequently assign this child simple, easy tasks that allow for success.9. Provide self-correcting tasks so that the child may see his/her own errors firsthand.10. Videotape your class in action and let the student (as well as the other students) actually see how he/she interacts in class.
There are many more ideas for classroom management on this website, but these few that I pulled seem most important. https://www.teachervision.com/classroom-management/teaching-methods-and-management/26200.html 

Classroom Management - Week 1

Learning about classroom management is a very new thing for me. However, I found a wonderful article on Edutopia that gives a little more insight of how to manage the classroom. The article is entitled "5 Quick Classroom Management Tips". The first suggestion they make is to use a normal natural voice when talking to your students. Raising your voice may capture your students attention, but not in the way you want. So keep your voice normal when getting students attention. The second suggestion the article makes is to speak only when students are quiet and ready to learn. This ties in with the first tip they gave, because most teachers tend to raise their voices and get angry when their students are not paying attention, but that can cause outbursts among students. The third tip that the article gives is to use hand signals and other forms of non-verbal communication in the classroom. This helps some of the other students not get distracted when someone has to use the bathroom, blow their nose, or talk to the teacher. I have seen first hand some of these hand signals in the classroom, and they are really cool to see in action. The classroom seems to run smoother this way. The fourth tip that the article gives is to address behavior issues quickly and wisely. I think that this tip will really help me a lot as a future teacher, now I know that when a student/s are acting up and causing a distraction, I just calmly pull them aside and solve the problem then and there and help the student/s to the best of my ability. The last tip that this article gives is to always have a well-designed and engaging lesson. This can be easier said than done, but if the lesson is boring and dry, of course the students are going to start acting up, because they are bored! However, if the lesson is fun, engaging and hands-on, the students will be less likely to act up during the lesson, because they are to busy having fun!

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/classroom-management-tips-novice-teachers-rebecca-alber