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CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT/MOTIVATION

Classroom Critique

Throughout my high school and college career, I have been exposed to several

different classroom management and motivational procedures practiced by teachers in

the field. I have seen a variety of styles ranging from teachers who go strictly by the text

book to teachers who genuinely strive to push their students above and beyond. Often

times it is hard to point to a clear winner for which technique is better as all teachers

contribute to a student’s overall success. However, in my experience, it has been clear

what styles are definitely more effective when it comes to teaching, and it all comes

down to the passion.

Teachers who teach solely what is on the page in front of them almost always

cover the material in a timely fashion. In high school, I had two math teachers who

taught in this particular style. This is great from an objective standpoint, the students

learn the material and reach the standards, however there are several disadvantages to

the learning process. These teachers often have rules and procedures that are observed

as being more draconic in how they are carried out. This is usually because they have a

tried and true lesson plan to work through for the year and push to make sure they

meet the deadlines they set in advance to the class starting. The students leave this

classroom, do in fact learn the material, however there is very few connections drawn

that connect what they have learned to anything, so this information is rarely retained.

Teachers who have more successful lesson plans integrate several different

aspects into what they teach. They anticipate the student’s desire to learn and are able

to adapt the lesson plan for the students. Often times they have use not only different
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subjects in school, but also incorporate many real-world aspects. A great example of this

is another one of my high school math teachers, Mrs. Merril. One of the lessons that I

can still remember 8 years later was a lesson on probability. Not only did we get through

the lecture and examples, but she helped reinforce this concept by having us apply what

we have learned by playing several dice games and learning how betting odds work.

Teachers who implement this strategy often structure their procedures a lot differently.

Their classroom procedures are also fairly similar to many college courses; thus, it

prepares many students for the completely different learning atmosphere of college.

This type of atmosphere pushes for a deeper understanding of the material learned in

the classroom.

Ultimately in my classroom, I want to facilitate as much learning as I am able to.

In my experience as a student, and from what I have seen teachers implement, students

are much more incentivized to learn in an environment that teaches to them instead of

at them. I absolutely love the approach encouraged by having an adaptive type

procedure. Students should first be encouraged to learn more, and then graded on what

they know versus constantly holding them to a benchmark.

Classroom Management Procedures

Before Class: Students will be expected to arrive in class with all of the materials
needed for class by the time the tardy bell rings. Should a student need to leave the
classroom to grab any missing items, go to the office, restroom, etc. they will need to
check in first then they will be allowed to go. Students not present at the time the bell
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rings will be marked tardy unless they have first checked in with myself or if they have a
pass.

Classroom Materials: The only items needed for this class will be a notebook and a
writing utensil. Students will have access to computers and newspapers inside the
classroom for any assignments given here in the classroom. If students wish to bring
their own for any assignments, they will be allowed as long as it doesn’t cause a
disruption in the classroom.

Seating Arrangement: The classroom seating will be arranged in a fan pattern radiating
out from the front of the classroom. This will stagger the seats so that every student is
able to see the front of the classroom regardless how far back in the seating they are
placed. Seating will be assigned if necessary for the class, but every two weeks students
will be asked to switch seats so as to encourage students to participate in discussions
and to discourage distractions. Students also will be asked to keep book-bags and/or
purses completely beneath their seats so that they will not be obstacles in the case of an
emergency.

Class Structure: A typical class structure will see students seated by or shortly after the
bell rings. At that point, the class will have a “check-in” time where I will ask students if
there were any questions from the day before. After that, we will begin the lecture for
the day. Lectures will be relatively short and will be oriented to foster discussion later in
the class as the topics covered in class will have many factors and variables that have
attributed to what has happened. Students will always be encouraged to ask questions
and all opinions will be heard.

Opening Lecture: As discussed above, the opening lecture will be a short 10-15 minute
talk about the material. I will be sure to touch on the background of the topic and
incorporate some differentiating views to the subject. In this class, we will be covering
several controversial subjects, both modern issues and issues that have been resolved.
This will, as stated above, help encourage students to discuss civilly and rationally the
subject material covered in this course.

Note Taking: Note taking in this class is encouraged, but not necessary. Leading up
to each exam/assessment, we will review as a class material that will be covered. For
more on exams and assessments, see the section below outlining Testing Procedures.
Students will however be asked to write a “Lecture Ticket” for each class. This will be an
index card (Available in the classroom) that will be handed in at the end of each class
period. On this ticket, students will either write a revelation, vote on a mater, or ask a
question they were unable to ask during class. This way I will make sure every student is
ready to move on to the next subject when the time comes.

Classroom Civics: As covered above in Opening Lecture, we will be covering some

controversial subjects in the classroom that may cause some strong reactions in the
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classroom. These subjects will range from colonialization, quartering soldiers, and
slavery to more modern issues such as civil rights, democracy, and citizenship in the
community. Students are encouraged to talk about these topics as long as it remains on
subject. If a student becomes disruptive during the discussion, we will walk through the
behavior process covered in the next procedure.

Behavior in the Classroom: In the class, we will have a three-step procedure should a
student start disrupting a class. First time a student disrupts the class, the student will
be given a warning. Second time, they will be given lunch detention and for the final
time a disruption is caused, the student will be sent to the principal’s office.

Classwork: Classwork will mostly be done in a group setting as we will often times
discuss the topics as a group. When it comes time to writing any essays required for the
class, students will be paired up with other students who will proof read and offer
advice. Other group projects will be made up of groups of 3-5 students and time will be
given inside of class to complete these projects.

Submitting Assignments: In an effort to help prepare students for college, students will
primarily turn their assignments in digitally. This will help them work with and around
timelines in an effort to also teach them time management, as well as ensure students
have a basic understanding as to how to use online learning tools.

Homework: Homework in this class is mostly reduced to only what students aren’t able
to complete in class. Students are encouraged to work outside of school on any essays
or papers due, and as such they can submit them any time they are completed. The only
outside classwork I will have the students do is to bring a news article every two weeks
to share in the class. This will be shared on the same day as seating change.

Late Assignments: Again, in an effort to help prepare students for college, there will be
no late work accepted. If a student is unable to meet the deadline, they should first
contact me and we will discuss what other steps need to be taken.

Plagiarism: There is a zero tolerance when it comes to plagiarism. Students in this class
are encouraged to use their own voice in both their writing and their discussions. Should
a student plagiarize, they will be referred to the school’s policy for plagiarism.

Testing Procedures: Students will only have a few exams and tests throughout the year
outside of state assessments. These tests will be a good portion of the student’s grade.
However, students will be allowed to use a single side of a note card with any notes they
have taken in class for tests, but not however for the final exam. The final exam of the
class will be preceded by an entire week of review leading up to the actual exam. As this
is a final assessment of what the students have learned, it will be worth 30% of their
final grade.
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Extra Credit: Students are allowed to do certain assignments for extra credit. Should
they want to do extra credit, they must first come to me and I will give them a topic for
which to write an essay on. There will be no limit as to how much extra credit is allowed
however their grade will be maxed out at 100%. Any additional points they earn in this
fashion will be applied towards any assignments wherein they lost points. This is in an
effort to encourage and reward students for continuing their learning and research
outside of the classroom.

Technology Use: Students will be using computers inside the classroom relatively
frequently. This being said, students are to only access subject appropriate material
while using the computer. This limits use to research sites, interviews, and in some cases
videos. Phones aren’t allowed out during class time unless otherwise prompted to do so
for educational purposes. If a student is caught using a phone during class period, I will
give them their first warning as phones can and often serve as a disruption to the
learning process.

Restroom Use: Students are allowed to use the restroom during class period as long as
there is only one student going at a time. Student’s aren’t required to ask, but are
instead asked to quietly and calmly leave their seat and take the bathroom pass with
them when they go. Again, this is a privilege for the class and should this procedure be
abused, students will be required to ask for permission to be excused.

Food in Classroom: Students will be allowed to have food items in the classroom as long
as they aren’t a disruption. If it becomes a distraction, they will be asked to put the food
item away for the rest of the class period. As this is a privilege, should this policy be
abused students will not be allowed to have food in class. Food items will not be
permitted however on days that students are using classroom computers to help reduce
the possibility of damaging the devices.

Forum Fridays: Every Friday in class, we will abandon the usual class structure and
instead have Forum Fridays. During this period, we will discuss as a group lecture tickets
we have received throughout the week. This will help bolster understanding of the
week’s material as well as offer new insights to topics some students have quite
considered. I will also have pertinent topics and questions that the class can discuss in a
debate style after completing the lecture ticket discussion. Ultimately students will
become more confident in the course material and will lead to a deeper understanding
for class topics.

Procedure for Debating: On certain Forum Fridays, I may have the class separate into
two main groups and we will have a debate. These groups will be the two sides to a
debate and each group will be given a chance to speak in an orderly time. Much like in
the real world, I will have each team select one spokesperson for their party. This
individual will be speaking for the group and discussing the answers that they come up
with for the problems I present. This exercise will encourage students to think outside
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the box when it comes to day to day issues that we often times face in the real world. It
will build a deeper understanding of many of these topics as well as open students up to
how debates are structured.