Classroom Management

Part 1 – Observation 1. Describe the management techniques you observe
a. What observable classroom norms (procedures, routines) are in place? Were these enforced at any point in time and if so, how? 
Class always begins with a warmup problem. Students are expected to work on problems immediately though this rarely happens. We try to go around and encourage students to give the problem a try but since we always work through the problem afterwards they never do.

b. What observable classroom rules are place? Were these enforced at any point in time and if so, how? 
The main one that sticks out to me is the cell phone policy. Students aren't allowed to have their cell phone out at any time. However, my CT doesn't do much to enforce this and at any point in time there will be at least 5 kids on their cell phones.

c. What observable disciplinary system is in place? Were any techniques used to enforce this system?
I've never seen the need for a disciplinary system. Like I said, the worst rule broken is cell phones and this is rarely addressed. Sometimes a student may be off-task but when the teacher comes to talk to them about it they usually get back to work at least for a few minutes.

Part 2 – Interview 1. Interview your CT to find out the following information:

a. Does the school have a formal classroom management system or policy? 
PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports).  It essentially involves reinforcing positive behaviors instead of punishing negative ones.  Rules are written in terms of expectations.  For example, instead of saying no cell phones are allowed, we say, phones are to remain off and out of sight.  We have a common language for our classroom expectations "Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible". WE have a common cell phone policy (that I do not enforce as strictly as I should).

b. What norms (i.e., procedures and routines) have you tried to set in your classroom? 
Why are these norms important to you? How did you establish these? How do you 
enforce these? 
Norms in my classroom involve engagement, asking and answering questions, and participating in classroom activities.  For example, I expect students to begin work on the warm up at the beginning of class.  It takes constant reinforcement and reminders.  Follow through is important.  Also, telling students outright why I am expecting certain behaviors helps.  For example, instead of saying "phones are to be off and out of sight" I think it is more effective to say "I want you to have your pohone off and out of sight so you can engage with the lesson without interruptions."  Or, "The reason we do this warm up is because it reinforces the new material we learned yesterday and prepares you for the new material to come today."

c. What disciplinary system or techniques do you use? How did you explain your system or 
techniques to students? How effective do you feel these techniques are? 
I don't have many discipline problems in the classroom.  I find that when discipline problems arise, I can usually handle it with a side conversation in class.  I will often try to address more serious problems by asking students to step into the hall so we can talk with each other.  I then try to start with a common goal like, "We both want you to be successful in this class."  Being clear about what the behavior is that is causing the problem and how the behavior needs to change is important.
When necessary, phone calls home are always helpful.  I have never had a negative call home before. (as in, a parent that wasn't supportive).  But again, I usually start with a common goal.  I will always start with a positive comment about the student when speaking with a parent.

d. What disciplinary system or techniques have you tried that did not work? Why do you 
think these did not work?
I have tried to confront students in front of other students.  It rarely works.  Usually the students feel like they need to save face and therefore are more confrontational.  I have also tried ignoring problems and that rarely works.

Part 3 – Reflection 1. Use your responses to the questions above to also respond to the following question:

a. Based on your observation and interview, how are you thinking about classroom management in your own classroom and what techniques might you use that will help you achieve your goals?
I think the most thing to do is be consistent with your classroom culture. I don't think students today are any more inclined to be on their phone than when I was in high school. However, when I was in high school I saw it much less often because the consistent policy was if a teacher saw your phone they could take it. I see the same thing happening in my college classes. Even though everyone attends class voluntarily in some classes there is a fear that keeps students from taking their cell phones out and in others students text openly while the professor lectures.

At one point my CT decided he was going to be more strict about cell phone use. He gave the classes a warning and 2 minutes later a student was on their phone. While he addressed this student's use, he didn't address it again and cell phone use has remained.