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The Edutopia Poll
by Sara Bernard
Policing classroom behaviors -- particularly in a class of thirty or more kids in a school where behavior is a large concern -- can take a significant toll on the energy level of a teacher, not to mention on his or her emotional well-being. Time spent keeping students on task also takes away from time meant for learning. In some classrooms, such as one profiled on the Web site of the National Education Association, students manage themselves by participating in a classroom court that consists of functional roles such as bailiff and probation officer. Is this kind of classroom strategy helpful for educators, or are there more fundamental changes, such as reduction in class size, that would have a greater impact? We're interested in your opinion.
How do we spend less time on classroom management?
Submitted by Melissa (not verified) on July 19, 2008 - 12:01.
Having just finished my first year of teaching, I was challenged with the amount of time I spent on classroom management. After reading the following responses on how to reduce the time spent on classroom management, I am motivated to focus my time and energy towards enhancing student learning. I truly feel that if students feel respected and motivated to learn, less time is needed to handle classroom management. It is when students become distracted or disengaged that they begin to misbehave. I want to spend more time preparing lessons this upcoming year that are very engaging.
Classroom management challenges!!
Submitted by J Williams (not verified) on May 22, 2008 - 16:35.
Hello from Longview Washington.
I believe there are a lot of good ideas here in the article and from your posts. Things have certainly changed since I was in elementary school and class size was usually 32+ but I don't remember a lot of behavior issues. The world has become a much tougher place, and the comments on lack of administrative backing, parental involvement, and overcrowding reach my open ears. I don't know if I could run a courtroom-type operation like this - I really hope to concentrate on littler kids and use preventive measures of risk management and teaching of life skills and communication with each other (that they might not get at home) but by making this "classroom harmony" a big deal in the beginning and referring to our Golden Rule list, we will be keeping an eye out for each other's good behavior and calling attention to it with stickers on a banner by their name - the stickers are for many different types of positive things, from showing creativity to giving something their best try even when it's hard for them. I like the idea of positive reinforcers, direct communication with the students and regular discussions about how we are getting along. One new (to me) idea I just learned that I plan to include was the value of addressing what just happened at recess immediately afterward in a structured way that includes room for learning better communication, examining responsiblity for our actions, etc.
Reducing time spent on classroom management
Submitted by Andrea (not verified) on March 24, 2008 - 16:07.
In order to reduce time spent on classroom management I think we need to make learning as engaging and fun as possible. It is important to teach to all learning styles and to try to make learning relevant. We need to allow our students to be involved in their own learning. We also need to be positive role models for our students. I agree that it takes multiple strategies to create a classroom that is not focused on classroom management but rather on engaging learning.
Classroom Management
Submitted by Andrea (not verified) on September 27, 2007 - 19:05.
I feel that in order to reduce the time spent on classroom management, we as teachers must be willing to go the extra mile. Unfortunately, in the district that I live in, there is little support from administration and even less from the county office. If there is a problem in my classroom, I believe that is my duty to correct my students because I am the only one that intimidates them. I am the person that is on a regular communication basis with their parents or guardians and I am the one that they have to be with all day long for five days a week.
I teach at a Pre-K through 5 Elementary School. This year, our administration has mandated the CHAMPs Plan (Sprick, Garrison, and Howard, 1998). It is a proactive and positive approach to classroom management. Instead of focusing on the negative or children who make bad choices, we focus on the positive or good choices that students make. I also have procedures in my classroom rather than rules and I have more rewards rather than consequences.
Because we have instilled this approach into our school, my Principal has informed us that the amount of referrals to the office has been drastically reduced. It is very hard to remain positive for the majority of the time and I was very skeptical at first, but I really see a difference in the atmosphere at my school.
Sprick, R., Garrison, M., & Howard, L. (1998). CHAMPs A proactive and positive approach to classroom management. Eugene, OR. Pacific Northwest.
talking while teacher is talking
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on September 26, 2007 - 18:27.
I am struggling with getting my students to stop talking while I am teaching. I have a really chatty/active group this year. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get my students to stop talking?
What about parental
Submitted by Dee Dee Arrowood (not verified) on January 24, 2007 - 19:26.
What about parental responsiblity for children's actions? I call parents sometimes 10-12 times before I get any response. In some instances I have been forced to call in the counselor/social worker just to get parents to come in for a simple conference. When will we call parents out on their failures to help their children thrive academically? Imagine a world wher all parents came to PTO meetings, helped with homework and supported disciplinary actions taken by teachers? If we have parental support, we have more successful students. DD
We need administrators
Submitted by Lee Esham (not verified) on January 9, 2007 - 21:06.
We need administrators willing to bring disciplines back to the schools.
Too many students in a
Submitted by Dr. Katherine Sogolow (not verified) on January 10, 2007 - 12:40.
Too many students in a class, no matter what training you have or relationships with the students, must be resolved before we can make real progress in the area of classroom management. I teach in an over crowded Middle School, and as a Fine Arts teacher whose classes are not considered "core classes" under NCLB, there are no class-size limits: I have an average of 36-38 students in classes 5 times a day. I do not have an aide. My classes are literacy based, and I employ McRel and Kagan strategies, and multiple intelligence assessments. I work to help my students be as self-governing as possible and accountable for their behaviors. However, I have to agree that many times, even in the best classes, too many students becomes crowd control, and the students suffer because they are not learning as much as they could, and it is VERY difficult to bring in new technology and make it accessible with so many students in a class. The teachers suffer also, because the physical work demanded is grueling, each day is quite a marathon, and one is also continually trying to come up with new ways to continue to engage the students and make the learning environment the best it can be.
You have my sympathy. I
Submitted by Stephanie (not verified) on September 30, 2007 - 11:27.
You have my sympathy. I foolishly believed that those size classes were not used any longer. How can anyone honestly expect you to teach that many students? Maybe a hundred years ago one teacher could do it all, but with the children of today that has t be almost impossible. I hope someone will be able to give you words of wisdom. I wish I had some. Good luck!
Personalization is the key
Submitted by Debbie Perry (not verified) on January 10, 2007 - 13:37.
Personalization is the key to classroom management. Having Advisor- Advisee classes scheduled once a week for all staff and students helps maintain a culture that fosters the policing of classroom behaviors for a nurturing learning environment.
Debbie Perry
Algebra Teacher-grade 9
Stranahan High
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