Classroom management is essential within every classroom to ensure a safe and engaging environment for all students. With this skill, students become more secure and comfortable when clear routines and expectations are set. With effective classroom management skills, the classroom will have optimal time to learn. This skill also ensures the effectiveness of the teacher. Below I have listed three classroom management theories that I would use within my classroom.
Love and LogicLove and Logic was founded by Jim Fay and Foster W. Cline, M.D. in 1977. The overall goal of love and logic is to make teaching a rewarding job, rather than stressful and chaotic. Love gives the student a chance to grow and learn through their mistakes; whereas logic gives them the chance to experience the consequences of their choices. It is a way of teaching and preparing the students on how to live in the real world with all of its choices and consequences. In my classroom setting, the students will partake in the creation of all rules and expectations. This will give them a sense of ownership and they will have the choice on how they make decisions and depending on those decisions they could face potential consequences. In order for love and logic to be successfully implemented within a classroom you must build personal relationships with each individual student and create an overall safe, classroom community. The students must feel respected, appreciated, and loved by their educator in order to help prevent future problems. If a student were to receive a consequence, due to poor choices, they must understand what they did wrong. Allow the student to see that you are a forgiving person and you believe that they know how to make better choices. They must understand you still love and care for them.
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Flexible SeatingNo matter the age of your students, seating charts are vital. When seating charts are created, students can be seated based on their needs. For example, for those students who may be distracted easily, they can be placed where it is easier for them to stay on task. However, within my classroom, I do not want the traditional setup with rows of desks. Flexible seating allows for schools to promote the importance of activity and student choice. Within classrooms with flexible seating, teachers create work spaces instead of the traditional rows and columns (Thompson, 133). Students are no longer expected to sit quietly for long periods of time in one spot. Students are able to choose the work space that appeals to them, learn to make positive choices within their learning, be more physically active in the classroom, and remain on task. Examples of flexible seating could be soft cushions, bean bags, worktables, cubbies, or wobble chairs. Within my classroom, I will plan to implement flexible seating. However, one downfall of this type of seating is that is could be costly and may not be provided by your school. Students with IEP's or 504 plans may require preferential seating, which will be provided. If student conflict arises due to choice of seating, consider assigning spaces and rotating students through different options.
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Whole Child MovementIn order to meet the needs of all students, the Whole Child Movement supports a wide ranging and inclusive approach to educating students. This approach "takes the stance that students deserve an environment where they can thrive because they feel safe and are treated as worthwhile individuals whose social, emotional, and physical health needs are addressed"(Thompson, 201). Classrooms that promote the whole child model respect for students cultures and expect that students will also demonstrate respect for one another's cultures. This framework also promotes a growth mindset in students, as they feel comfortable with the idea that mistakes are what helps you grow as a learner. Lastly, this framework creates a culturally responsive classroom. We must teach our students to value their differences. As a teacher, it is crucial that we be aware of our own attitudes that are influenced by our culture. As said by Thompson, "If students learn racism or intolerance at home, know that you will have a very difficult time stopping it in class. Your first step in combating intolerant attitudes should be to make your position of tolerance very clear". One way I will implement the Whole Child Movement in my classroom is by creating Social-Emotional Learning into my daily classroom routine. One example of a daily routine is Morning Meeting. At the beginning of each day, the class will meet together in a circle for our Morning Meeting. This time will be spent checking in on one another, sharing good news, and using my community building activities.
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Resources:
Thompson, J. G. (2018). The First-Year Teacher's Survival Guide: ready-to-use strategies tools & activities for meeting the challenges of
each school day. Fourth edition. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, a Wiley brand.
Fay, D. F. (1995). Teaching with Love and Logic: Taking Control of the Classroom. Love and Logic Press.
Thompson, J. G. (2018). The First-Year Teacher's Survival Guide: ready-to-use strategies tools & activities for meeting the challenges of
each school day. Fourth edition. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, a Wiley brand.
Fay, D. F. (1995). Teaching with Love and Logic: Taking Control of the Classroom. Love and Logic Press.