I have a friend whose wife is a school teacher so there is no better place to get a review of something like this than from somebody who is a professional. Here is what she has to say about How To Thrive And Survive In the Classroom.
“As a teacher in an urban city school, the challenges I face are greater than most. Students generally come from families with one parent and have very little home discipline with either mom or dad out working all day. Teaching these students is not easy.
I have gone to many seminars throughout the state where I live learning about classroom management. Some cost hundreds of dollars to attend. Quite honestly, I learned very little at these that you’re not going to find in this course.
The key topics include
Behavior Management
Instructional Tips
The Teaching/Learning Philosophy
Classroom Management
Curriculum Management
Assessment
Evaluation
Individualized Instruction
Student Motivation
It is truly complete and very well thought out and executed. It is also reasonably priced as well. As a teacher in the my state’s school system, I can honestly say that you will receive great value from this course and if managing a classroom is a problem for you, this will be a great aid.
Name withheld.”
There you have it…from the words of a pro. And the reason this person asked to have their name withheld is because, quite honestly, they’re not happy with their school system and in spite of having 25 plus years of experience, don’t want their name spread over the Internet for fear of the possible repercussions. Being so close to retirement, they don’t want to make waves now.
However, I have no doubt that once you see what is offered in this course, you’ll be taking full advantage of it. This audio seminar has been put together by some of the top professionals in the industry. Wait until you see the credentials of these people. To say that they are impressive would be an understatement with more than 50 years of teaching experience between them with one guy being the youngest professor ever hired at the University of Florida at age 24.
At the very least, go to the site and see what they have to offer. It will only take you about 10 minutes of your time and it just may save you a world of aggravation in the process.
Here is the site:
Classroom Management Guide
Friday, March 6, 2009
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Classroom Management Techniques
A good teacher should have an excellent understanding of classroom management and the relating techniques that can be applied in a classroom setting. In this article, we will discuss some of the techniques that are widely accepted and can benefit your work in the classroom.
One such technique is focus. A lot of teachers believe that simply beginning a lesson will get the students under control and ready to learn. This is often not the case. It is very important to get your students and the whole class focused before beginning the lesson. If you consistently begin to teach while they are not paying attention, students will assume it is ok to talk at the same time as you. A good teacher needs to demand their attention before getting into the class material.
Another excellent technique is direct instruction. In other words, set out a plan for the class each day. Tell the students what they are going to learn and what is expected of them. If there is no routine and no plan, the students can become agitated or excited and lose their focus on the task at hand.
Paying attention to every student is another important technique to use in the classroom. Do not simply stand or sit at the front of the class and expect the students to work. Walk around the room, monitor their work and check on them individually. Simply assuming that they will work and accomplish assignments is not enough. If the students know you will be coming around and checking on their work, they will be more likely to focus and put a better effort into them.
These are just a few examples of techniques that you can use in the classroom. Try these out in your class and add others and you will find out which work best and which to not apply to your situation.
One such technique is focus. A lot of teachers believe that simply beginning a lesson will get the students under control and ready to learn. This is often not the case. It is very important to get your students and the whole class focused before beginning the lesson. If you consistently begin to teach while they are not paying attention, students will assume it is ok to talk at the same time as you. A good teacher needs to demand their attention before getting into the class material.
Another excellent technique is direct instruction. In other words, set out a plan for the class each day. Tell the students what they are going to learn and what is expected of them. If there is no routine and no plan, the students can become agitated or excited and lose their focus on the task at hand.
Paying attention to every student is another important technique to use in the classroom. Do not simply stand or sit at the front of the class and expect the students to work. Walk around the room, monitor their work and check on them individually. Simply assuming that they will work and accomplish assignments is not enough. If the students know you will be coming around and checking on their work, they will be more likely to focus and put a better effort into them.
These are just a few examples of techniques that you can use in the classroom. Try these out in your class and add others and you will find out which work best and which to not apply to your situation.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Classroom Management Strategies
Classroom management and the ability to manage your class is an integral part of becoming a successful teacher. It is of the utmost importance for a teacher to manage and control their class from the get go. If you cannot manage the class accordingly, your students will lose respect and become undisciplined. Here are some general ideas and strategies that can be applied to most classroom situations.
1. A teacher must have positive control over their classroom. There is no need to take the form of a dictator, however you need to have control .Find the right median for your class and be strict yet positive. Your students will not learn without control, yet too much control can hinder their learning.
2. If you want to be respected by your students you have to give them respect. By no means should you allow your students to be disrespectful or get away with inappropriate behavior, but treat them like adults and you will garner much more respect from them
3. Set out a guideline for disciplinary measures. Make sure that your students are aware of the consequences of certain actions. When they know what repercussions come with certain behaviors, they are less likely to act out.
4. It is very important for you to find the right mix of authority and friendship in your class. Remember that you are the authoritative figure in the room and that you are not there to befriend your students. However, allow for casual conversation and offer friendly advice without crossing the line from teacher to friend.
These are just a few examples of some classroom management skills that you can incorporate into your class to provide a more positive learning atmosphere. Of course every classroom is different and will benefit from different strategies, but there are some solid necessary guidelines.
1. A teacher must have positive control over their classroom. There is no need to take the form of a dictator, however you need to have control .Find the right median for your class and be strict yet positive. Your students will not learn without control, yet too much control can hinder their learning.
2. If you want to be respected by your students you have to give them respect. By no means should you allow your students to be disrespectful or get away with inappropriate behavior, but treat them like adults and you will garner much more respect from them
3. Set out a guideline for disciplinary measures. Make sure that your students are aware of the consequences of certain actions. When they know what repercussions come with certain behaviors, they are less likely to act out.
4. It is very important for you to find the right mix of authority and friendship in your class. Remember that you are the authoritative figure in the room and that you are not there to befriend your students. However, allow for casual conversation and offer friendly advice without crossing the line from teacher to friend.
These are just a few examples of some classroom management skills that you can incorporate into your class to provide a more positive learning atmosphere. Of course every classroom is different and will benefit from different strategies, but there are some solid necessary guidelines.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Classroom Management Ideas
There are so many ideas and strategies available for teachers when it comes to classroom management, that it can be easy to get confused and choose which ones may be most appropriate. Instead of getting too caught up in all of these strategies, it is best to stick to a few good general tips and then involve your own from personal experience. Below are a few general tips that will help you get started.
In terms of classroom management it is a good idea to put words on the board that will remind students to behave. Write out a word such as discipline on the board. If they students do something positive, then you can underline one letter. If they do something negative you erase the underline. If by the end of the class the whole word is underlined you can reward everyone with a prize. This will push the bad students to improve their behavior or their classmates will be displeased with them.
Group work is a big part of the classroom and can really effect classroom management and it is important to maintain control in these situations. Try diving groups into smaller groups and explaining the task to one group at a time. This way you will have their undivided focus while you explain the rules and what is expected of them. Simply shouting out the rules to everyone at the same time allows for confusion, less focus and can lead to unclear guidelines.
Probably the best classroom management tip that a teacher can have is to be prepared. Have pre determined rules and consequences laid out and decide how you will manage certain students and how you will discipline others before the class even starts. Preparation is half of the battle when it comes to classroom management and becoming a successful teacher.
In terms of classroom management it is a good idea to put words on the board that will remind students to behave. Write out a word such as discipline on the board. If they students do something positive, then you can underline one letter. If they do something negative you erase the underline. If by the end of the class the whole word is underlined you can reward everyone with a prize. This will push the bad students to improve their behavior or their classmates will be displeased with them.
Group work is a big part of the classroom and can really effect classroom management and it is important to maintain control in these situations. Try diving groups into smaller groups and explaining the task to one group at a time. This way you will have their undivided focus while you explain the rules and what is expected of them. Simply shouting out the rules to everyone at the same time allows for confusion, less focus and can lead to unclear guidelines.
Probably the best classroom management tip that a teacher can have is to be prepared. Have pre determined rules and consequences laid out and decide how you will manage certain students and how you will discipline others before the class even starts. Preparation is half of the battle when it comes to classroom management and becoming a successful teacher.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Classroom Management Tips And Time Management
The good Earth has given us just 24 hours in a day. About six of those hours are spent in a typical grammar or high school classroom. And about 40 minutes are so are given to each class. That may seem like an eternity to a 12 year old, but the truth of the matter is, between taking attendance, getting kids to quiet down and the occasional fire drill, those 40 minutes are a drop in the bucket. Therefore, time management is essential…no…critical, if you’re going to run an efficient classroom. This article will give you some tips to manage YOUR time effectively.
At the top of the list is to have each day’s lesson plan done in advance. I’m not just talking about having it written on paper. I’m talking about “acting” it out at home to make sure that everything you want to accomplish can actually be done in the allotted time given to you. Sometimes, what looks good on paper turns out to be a whole different animal once you actually begin to go over the material. And naturally, you want to leave room for student questions.
Next thing you want to do is make sure that any aids that you need, such as projectors, computers, and so on, are in the classroom, ready to be used, and in working order. A typical teacher’s nightmare is walking into their classroom expecting to find an overhead projector only to find a space where the projector was supposed to be. This wastes much valuable time trying to track one down, if one can even be found at all. And then if not, a whole class is wasted or plans have to be changed midstream. This is NOT effective time management.
If you’re a traveling teacher, meaning you move from classroom to classroom, there are a couple of things that you should do. First, make sure that the classrooms you’re going to have the necessary items to conduct your class. If they’re not equipped, either arrange for them to be or bring the necessary items with you. Also, make sure that you keep all your books with you at all time. This gets a little tough if you don’t have your own classroom and have many different subjects, but if you’re teaching the same thing all day, it does become a lot easier.
In my link below I think you’ll find a great classroom management resource that I think you’ll find most helpful in keeping your classroom organized.
Classroom Management Guide
At the top of the list is to have each day’s lesson plan done in advance. I’m not just talking about having it written on paper. I’m talking about “acting” it out at home to make sure that everything you want to accomplish can actually be done in the allotted time given to you. Sometimes, what looks good on paper turns out to be a whole different animal once you actually begin to go over the material. And naturally, you want to leave room for student questions.
Next thing you want to do is make sure that any aids that you need, such as projectors, computers, and so on, are in the classroom, ready to be used, and in working order. A typical teacher’s nightmare is walking into their classroom expecting to find an overhead projector only to find a space where the projector was supposed to be. This wastes much valuable time trying to track one down, if one can even be found at all. And then if not, a whole class is wasted or plans have to be changed midstream. This is NOT effective time management.
If you’re a traveling teacher, meaning you move from classroom to classroom, there are a couple of things that you should do. First, make sure that the classrooms you’re going to have the necessary items to conduct your class. If they’re not equipped, either arrange for them to be or bring the necessary items with you. Also, make sure that you keep all your books with you at all time. This gets a little tough if you don’t have your own classroom and have many different subjects, but if you’re teaching the same thing all day, it does become a lot easier.
In my link below I think you’ll find a great classroom management resource that I think you’ll find most helpful in keeping your classroom organized.
Classroom Management Guide
3 Solid Classroom Management Tips
You get to meet a lot of teachers when you’ve lived long enough. And many of them have the same old story to tell…their classroom is a nightmare to manage. Between kids that don’t want to learn and state regulations, it is sometimes easier to manage the national debt. These days, nothing comes easy. Well, hopefully, this article WILL make your life just a little bit less stressful once you step back into your classroom. I’m going to share three solid classroom management tips that I am sure will help a great deal.
One of the biggest problems facing teachers today is the disruptive student, especially the one who always has a smart answer and likes to talk back. A very wise man once said, “It takes a fool to talk back. It takes two of them to make a conversation out of it.” In other words, when dealing with a disruptive student, an effective technique is to simply ignore the student and go on with your lesson. Seeing that he or she is not getting the attention that they are looking for, they will soon stop. If not, simply write up the student, send a letter home, and let the administration and parents deal with the problem. Do NOT let it affect your classroom.
One way to keep an organized classroom is with consistency. In other words, whatever policy you lay down, enforce it consistently throughout the classroom no matter who the student is and no matter what day of the week it is. Many teachers ease up on students on a Friday because the weekend is coming. This leads to students expecting this all the time. And that’s fine, if that’s your policy. But understand that easy Fridays mean easy Fridays. If you’re going to take the privilege away, there needs to be a good reason for doing so. Consistency is very important in a classroom.
Finally, the tone of the classroom needs to be set right from the opening bell. If students are expected to have their books open ready to work when that bell rings, then that’s what needs to be stressed on a daily basis. Don’t wait for the students to comply. Go right into your lesson. Eventually, they’ll realize that they better get those books open or they’re going to be left behind. Too much time is wasted at the beginning of class waiting for students to “settle in.” This can’t be allowed to go on.
These few tips only scratch the surface. In my signature is a review of a great classroom management resource that I think you’ll find quite helpful.
One of the biggest problems facing teachers today is the disruptive student, especially the one who always has a smart answer and likes to talk back. A very wise man once said, “It takes a fool to talk back. It takes two of them to make a conversation out of it.” In other words, when dealing with a disruptive student, an effective technique is to simply ignore the student and go on with your lesson. Seeing that he or she is not getting the attention that they are looking for, they will soon stop. If not, simply write up the student, send a letter home, and let the administration and parents deal with the problem. Do NOT let it affect your classroom.
One way to keep an organized classroom is with consistency. In other words, whatever policy you lay down, enforce it consistently throughout the classroom no matter who the student is and no matter what day of the week it is. Many teachers ease up on students on a Friday because the weekend is coming. This leads to students expecting this all the time. And that’s fine, if that’s your policy. But understand that easy Fridays mean easy Fridays. If you’re going to take the privilege away, there needs to be a good reason for doing so. Consistency is very important in a classroom.
Finally, the tone of the classroom needs to be set right from the opening bell. If students are expected to have their books open ready to work when that bell rings, then that’s what needs to be stressed on a daily basis. Don’t wait for the students to comply. Go right into your lesson. Eventually, they’ll realize that they better get those books open or they’re going to be left behind. Too much time is wasted at the beginning of class waiting for students to “settle in.” This can’t be allowed to go on.
These few tips only scratch the surface. In my signature is a review of a great classroom management resource that I think you’ll find quite helpful.
Is Your Classroom A Nightmare To Manage?
Educating our youth is becoming more and more challenging each day. Depending on where you live, you may or may not have state testing regulations to deal with as well. These only throw an additional monkey wrench into the process. Throw inner city kids with little home supervision into the mix and you end up with more than a handful of problems.
As a result of these and other factors, managing a classroom becomes quite a challenge to even the most experienced teacher. And those who are just starting out without tenure have more their work cut out for them. It’s a roller coaster ride that’s almost impossible to get off and nowhere near as pleasant as the one at your nearest amusement park.
So where do you begin? How do you begin to make sense out of all the chaos? Well, for starters, you need to sit down and go over the class curriculum and whatever state requirements there are for your particular subject. Many times, these two things by themselves will pretty much box you in to what you have to do, let alone what you’d like to do.
For example, if you’re teaching high school math in the state of New Jersey, students have to be prepared to take their HESPA, which pretty much dictates gearing your instruction to the test itself and not so much to what the student “needs” to learn. It’s a sad but true state of education system today.
Then of course each school district has its own regulations and requirements for just about every little thing you can think of, from what “items” need to go up on your bulletin board to how your plan book needs to be kept. Some schools require them to be entered into a computer system while others are still working off of paper. How difficult each is depends on what you’re used to.
If classroom management is stressful to you, there is a review of a great resource in my signature that will make managing your classroom a lot easier and a whole less stressful. I think you’ll find it most helpful.
Don’t let your classroom get to you. Not when there is no need to.
As a result of these and other factors, managing a classroom becomes quite a challenge to even the most experienced teacher. And those who are just starting out without tenure have more their work cut out for them. It’s a roller coaster ride that’s almost impossible to get off and nowhere near as pleasant as the one at your nearest amusement park.
So where do you begin? How do you begin to make sense out of all the chaos? Well, for starters, you need to sit down and go over the class curriculum and whatever state requirements there are for your particular subject. Many times, these two things by themselves will pretty much box you in to what you have to do, let alone what you’d like to do.
For example, if you’re teaching high school math in the state of New Jersey, students have to be prepared to take their HESPA, which pretty much dictates gearing your instruction to the test itself and not so much to what the student “needs” to learn. It’s a sad but true state of education system today.
Then of course each school district has its own regulations and requirements for just about every little thing you can think of, from what “items” need to go up on your bulletin board to how your plan book needs to be kept. Some schools require them to be entered into a computer system while others are still working off of paper. How difficult each is depends on what you’re used to.
If classroom management is stressful to you, there is a review of a great resource in my signature that will make managing your classroom a lot easier and a whole less stressful. I think you’ll find it most helpful.
Don’t let your classroom get to you. Not when there is no need to.
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