Nicole | ourclassdojo

CLASSROOM MANAGMENT PHILOSOPHY

I will create a positive and engaging learning environment by welcoming the students into the classroom to share in learning. I will make the classroom a space where students feel welcome to learn, create and engage by developing respect and relationship with my students. I will learn the students’ names and one of their interests within the first week. For example, on the first day of school I will have students create a “get to know you” page that includes their name and a few of their favorite things or activities and then will post them in the room for the first month of school.

I believe that learning happens in all situations and in all different forms. To demonstrate and implement this, I will try to create engaging activities that allow for student learning and minimize the aspect of “busy work” in the classroom. I want to help students to see that we are constantly learning through our interactions.

To further create a positive learning environment, I will implement classroom management strategies while still allowing room for student voice to be present in the decisions. I will set up and model basic procedures such as entering the classroom, daily schedules, bathroom and work policies. As I begin modeling the procedures, I will ask students for their input as to if there are things we could change to make the policies even better for them or more effective. I realize that sometimes, the students have the best input in these situations as they are the ones who will be using and following these procedures daily. By letting students be a part of forming procedures, they will be more likely to actively engage and follow the procedures that were created.

Ultimately, the goal of education is to educate the whole child. School is not only a place for academics, but is also a place for social learning and development. As an educator, I have the opportunity to impact student lives and to help shape the way they view the world. I hope to encourage students as they continue in education and to increase their desire to learn. In educating the whole child, I recognize that no two children are the same. I hope to encourage and embrace the differences in my classroom. To do this, I will differentiate instruction so that each student can be academically challenged and engaged.

Along the way, I will face misbehavior situations in my classroom. When facing misbehavior, I find the procedure steps in Harry Wong’s The Classroom Management Book to be very helpful. Wong suggests dealing with misbehavior as “1. Stay calm and remain in control. 2. Be understanding. 3. Give the student time to calm down. 4. Be professional. 5. Talk to the student. 6. Communicate effectively. 7. Make use of body language. 8. Develop a procedure for time-outs” (Wong 233-235). This list of steps will be very helpful to look back on when dealing with misbehaving students. Remaining calm and taking a step back to see the whole situation will be key in dealing with behavior issues.

References

Wong, H., & Wong, R. (2014). The Classroom Management Book (p. 233-235). Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications.