Week Two
Digging Deep Into the Material
Classroom Systems That Work
Teacher Versus Student Centered - What is the Difference?
Who is in charge? The Student or the Teacher?
Today's classrooms are expected to put students front and center. Take for example the message that is sent when you enter a classroom. What does it mean to have the teacher desk centered at the front of the room verses having no teacher desk? What message does it send to have students sitting in rows versus having them sit in small cooperative groups where desks are clustered together? Lastly, how do you think students feel about their classroom when they are able to help craft the class rules versus one in which the teacher simply tells the students what are the rules of the classroom?
As you think about your classroom (or future classroom) think about the hidden messages that are evident throughout the classroom. Are there some worth reinforcing or some worth changing?
A FEW CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT MODELS TO CONSIDER
Positive Discipline
Love and Logic
Conflict Resolution
Tips to Create a Successful Classroom Management System
Motivation and Creativity - Are They Connected?
Expectations for this Week
In most other courses the discussion posts last for only one week. In this course, and, in particular, beginning this week, we will carry on the conversation we began in our discussion posts last week. In fact, Discussion Post One is a continuation of the conversation we began last week. During this week, you are expected to dive deeper into your discussion posts and analyze what aspects of an effective classroom management plan with high expectations might need to be considered to ensure the development of these twenty-first century skills. This will help you develop your critical thinking skills and also encourage you to understand perspectives that may be different from your own.
In Discussion Post Two you are asked to analyze the comments by Sir Ken Robinson that schools are killing creativity. In your response, you are expected to provide concrete examples to back up your opinion and point of view.
This week, I will be looking closely at the quality of your writing. Please make sure you have someone edit your work. Lastly, make sure you set up your e-portfolio so that you can use it beyond this course.
Assignment
It is essential that you put together a thoughtful and expansive classroom management plan. You paper is required to be three and five pages and be divided into sections clearly delineating what is being addressed. At a minimum, your plan should include the following:
- Goal of the plan, including the grade level(s) it addresses
- The set of rules and expectations
- The role students have in the classroom
- The role you play in the classroom
- Implementation plan (how will this plan be implemented in the classroom)
- Physical arrangement of the classroom and students
This paper is an artifact that could be used for future job interviews and can also help anchor your current classroom management system.