My Essential Decisions:
1. Classroom Rules and Procedures:
This essential decision is one that every teacher is going to have to make. Rules and procedures are important to every classroom, because it sets up expectations for students to follow. It helps create an environment where every student can learn to the best of their ability. Rules and procedures may change from year to year, because of experience, and also the students. I plan to decide on five to six major rules before the school yea begins, and discuss the meaning of each rule and what they look like in the first days of school, as well as refer to them consistently throughout the year. I also plan to go through the many procedures as my classroom comes to them, acting them out and role-playing for practice.
2. Classroom Consequences:
Classroom Consequences, both positive and negative, is another major decision every teacher will have to make. Having a discipline and reward system in place is necessary for classroom management. In order for students to be expected to follow the rules, there must be positive consequences when rules are followed, as well as negative consequences when classroom rules are disrespected. Before the year begins, I will have a behavioral system in place. For negative consequences, students will be on a pin system, where they raise or lower their pin depending on the behavior, and consequences get more detailed at each step. I will have a reflection portion to the pin system, where students fill out a reflection sheet describing what action/s caused them to lower their pin, and what they can do to fix it for the future. For positive consequences, I will have a jar that will be filled with marbles each time the class does great on an assignment, directions, following the rules, etc. I will also allow students who raise their pins to put a marble in the jar. Once the jar is full, students will earn the option of a party, extra recess, homework passes, etc.
3. Classroom Layout:
The way a teacher sets up his/her classroom is a major decision. It can impact classroom community, students' trust in you, and student learning. If the environment is welcoming and comfortable for students, tremendous learning can take place. If the environment is cold and harsh, students will have a difficult time feeling relaxed enough to learn. In my future classroom, I will have students' desks in groups of four, a quiet reading area, a rug for whole class gatherings, and materials in an area that is accessible to students. I will also include bright and welcoming posters, bulletin boards that display student work, and the classroom rules and procedures clearly and largely posted. (See Ideal Classroom Layout for visual description)
4. Classroom Management Techniques:
In order to have an effective and well-run classroom, classroom management techniques are crucial elements. Having these in place ahead of time makes the classroom a better place for students and teachers. Having effective techniques saves time and energy, allowing the teacher to have control over his/her classroom without losing either. For my future classroom, I will choose grade level appropriate management techniques, such as "One, two, three, eyes on me!" and other call and response chants to gain attention. I will also have everything students need in an organized area so they know right where to go if they need anything. Having a toolbox of techniques before teaching will help to create a successful learning environment for all.
5. Instruction:
One of the most important essential decision teachers will have to make is how they will instruct students. Because the way teachers present information to students impacts learning, it is necessary to develop techniques before the school year begins. Although there are hundreds of ways to instruct students, aligning strategies with the teacher's personality as well as the students' creates a beneficial learning environment for all. For me, I will instruct my students interactively. I will create lessons with small and whole group instruction, peer interaction, and hands-on activities. I will include brain breaks throughout the day to keep students active, and create the most engaging lessons I can to optimize student learning.
This essential decision is one that every teacher is going to have to make. Rules and procedures are important to every classroom, because it sets up expectations for students to follow. It helps create an environment where every student can learn to the best of their ability. Rules and procedures may change from year to year, because of experience, and also the students. I plan to decide on five to six major rules before the school yea begins, and discuss the meaning of each rule and what they look like in the first days of school, as well as refer to them consistently throughout the year. I also plan to go through the many procedures as my classroom comes to them, acting them out and role-playing for practice.
2. Classroom Consequences:
Classroom Consequences, both positive and negative, is another major decision every teacher will have to make. Having a discipline and reward system in place is necessary for classroom management. In order for students to be expected to follow the rules, there must be positive consequences when rules are followed, as well as negative consequences when classroom rules are disrespected. Before the year begins, I will have a behavioral system in place. For negative consequences, students will be on a pin system, where they raise or lower their pin depending on the behavior, and consequences get more detailed at each step. I will have a reflection portion to the pin system, where students fill out a reflection sheet describing what action/s caused them to lower their pin, and what they can do to fix it for the future. For positive consequences, I will have a jar that will be filled with marbles each time the class does great on an assignment, directions, following the rules, etc. I will also allow students who raise their pins to put a marble in the jar. Once the jar is full, students will earn the option of a party, extra recess, homework passes, etc.
3. Classroom Layout:
The way a teacher sets up his/her classroom is a major decision. It can impact classroom community, students' trust in you, and student learning. If the environment is welcoming and comfortable for students, tremendous learning can take place. If the environment is cold and harsh, students will have a difficult time feeling relaxed enough to learn. In my future classroom, I will have students' desks in groups of four, a quiet reading area, a rug for whole class gatherings, and materials in an area that is accessible to students. I will also include bright and welcoming posters, bulletin boards that display student work, and the classroom rules and procedures clearly and largely posted. (See Ideal Classroom Layout for visual description)
4. Classroom Management Techniques:
In order to have an effective and well-run classroom, classroom management techniques are crucial elements. Having these in place ahead of time makes the classroom a better place for students and teachers. Having effective techniques saves time and energy, allowing the teacher to have control over his/her classroom without losing either. For my future classroom, I will choose grade level appropriate management techniques, such as "One, two, three, eyes on me!" and other call and response chants to gain attention. I will also have everything students need in an organized area so they know right where to go if they need anything. Having a toolbox of techniques before teaching will help to create a successful learning environment for all.
5. Instruction:
One of the most important essential decision teachers will have to make is how they will instruct students. Because the way teachers present information to students impacts learning, it is necessary to develop techniques before the school year begins. Although there are hundreds of ways to instruct students, aligning strategies with the teacher's personality as well as the students' creates a beneficial learning environment for all. For me, I will instruct my students interactively. I will create lessons with small and whole group instruction, peer interaction, and hands-on activities. I will include brain breaks throughout the day to keep students active, and create the most engaging lessons I can to optimize student learning.