Gearing up... Honing your Classroom Management and Teaching Strategies By: Tiffany Lim Principal, My First Skool
Give a pictorial representation or an analogy ….
What is your definition of classroom management?
How are you What do you What do you going to achieve believe is hope to achieve what you have important to you as a teacher? intended to as a teacher? achieve? Your teaching philosophy and beliefs, shapes the type of classroom standards you have in your class.
Know your Be children intentional Tapping Routines on and Resources Structures
This is your first month as a new teacher. You are assigned to the Nursery class. This class of children are generally well behaved. They are able to work independently or cooperatively in the learning corners. You are paired with an experienced Chinese teacher who has been with this group of children for 2 years. She takes opportunities to share with you about the children and the routines in class . Today is the first time that you have to conduct a lesson. You have spent 2 days preparing the lesson. Your Principal has arranged to observe your lesson. However, today’s lesson did not turn out to what you have expected. The children were talking amongst themselves during lesson. Children were asking to visit the toilet, one after another. You have managed to gather 2-3 children’s response during the lesson.
You have been a teacher for 3 months and you have gradually gotten to know the children and family of the K1 class. Lately, you noticed that Alvin is getting more disruptive in the class . There are more complains from parents about Alvin . You have tried to handle Alvin’s behaviour, however he becomes angry. It has come to your attention that whenever he is angry, he would spit saliva, throw chairs and hit the people around him. In fact, Alvin will also scratch himself . There are several encounters, you got injured when you attempted to calm him down. It is observed that Alvin’s disruptive behaviour occurs during transition time and large group activity time. Background: Alvin is residing with a foster family since he was an infant. There are 5 other foster siblings.
Damian is a 6 year old boy who was transferred to school 3 months ago. It was noticed that Damian is an intelligent boy who understands the lesson and could complete assigned task quickly. However during group work and play, Damian is not able to work cooperatively with his friends. He often gets into conflicts with his friends and is not able to accept suggestions from others. You have tried to explain to him and provide the opportunities for him to work in group. At times when you give feedback on his work, Damian will be unhappy. It has come to your attention that Damian displays extreme behaviours when he is angry. He will be panting loudly and throwing chairs at teachers and friends. Just last week, Damian challenged you and said “ What do you know ? You are just a teacher! You can tell my mum and dad, no one will believe you” Background: Damian’s parents work as high ranking professionals. According to his parents, Damian is well behaved at home. He is the only child.
What are How will this How do some situation you feel strategies impact the you will as a new class or the implement rest of the teacher ? in the children ? classroom ? What are some practical techniques that you will employ to manage the child/ class? ( e.g. Rules , Visual Cues, Reward Charts)
Know your Be children intentional Tapping Routines on and Resources Structures
Understand the dynamics of children in your class Redirect children’s behaviour Build relationship with children & families Give time for children to make mistakes
Plan, do, review SMART Instructional Techniques Role of a facilitator
Environment as a third teacher Small group teaching Minimize over stimulating elements - e.g. noise, colours physical arrangement of classroom Working with your colleagues common understanding Collaborating with parents
Involve children to make rules together Understanding the children are competent learners Positive language E.g. “walk in the classroom” Vs Don’t Run Be consistent in what you deliver
…not what the …. about getting behaviour looks like … learned and needs met; that’s important, new behaviours otherwise it but what the can be learned wouldn’t exist behaviour is trying to tell you.
Practical tips #1 : Emphasize on the good behavior and let the children know your expectations Practical tips #2 : Use visual cues to prepare the class
Practical tips #3 : Use cues to help you understand the children ( Temperament or readiness to start class)
Know when to seek “help” Be a reflective teacher Take a back-step Make priority to rest Unplugged, Recharge and Focus
How can you What are the What are your take- overcome these anxieties you are away today ? anxieties? experiencing ?
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