EP101 Classroom Management

Unit 4: Professional Standards and theLearning Environment

Agenda

• Announcements/Reminders• Writing Center• Unit 3 Review• Unit 4 Assignments• Paraprofessional Standards/Certifications• Classroom Organization• A Student Centered Classroom• Field Trips• Seminar Questions• Conclusion

KU Writing Center

Access from "My Studies" tab

Academic Support Center https://kucampus.kaplan.edu/MyStudies/AcademicSupportCenter/WritingCenter/Index.aspx

Unit 3 Review~Para Duties & Effective Work Habits• Preparation is Key! Take the initiative, ask questions

about your role• Organization, Class Procedures, Environment, Time

Management• Individualizing Instruction• Effective Paras Have:

– Clear definition of roles/responsibilities– Job Qualifications & Demonstrate competencies– Professional Development– Support from the Teacher– Career Ladders Available

From: 1997 US Dept. of Ed Task Force Report on “Roles for Ed. Paras in Effective Schools”

Unit 4 Assignments

Readings• "Paraprofessionals in the Classroom" Chapter 4.  • Video on “Classroom Arrangement” (you do not need to email responses to the

questions in the video)• Web article on "Classroom Organization"

Learning Activities• Presentation "Classroom Arrangement and Organization“• Game-Snake• Unit Summary

Discussion Question on the physical classroom environment

Graded Review (just one)

Seminar• Option 1: Attend seminar• Option 2: Seminar Essay submit through dropbox, review seminar archive

NO PROJECT!

Unit 4 OverviewParaprofessional Roles (Ch. 4)

What are the standards/certifications required for Paraprofessionals?• No Child Left Behind Act/IDEIA

Paraprofessional Assessments • ETS Parapro www.ets.org/parapro • WorkKeys Proficiency Cert. for TA’s

http://www.act.org/workkeys/pcta/

• Paraprofessional Requirements by state at http://mb2.ecs.org/reports/Report.aspx?id=611

• NRCP State Resources http://www.nrcpara.org/states • CEC Standards

http://www.cec.sped.org//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

State Dept. of Ed Websites in Doc Sharing

Organizing the Classroom

• Room Arrangement-type of instruction• Traffic Areas• Accessibility/Visibility• Materials • Decorations (student work, diversity, equality)• Security• Addressing Academic, Social, Emotional Needs• Avoiding distractions

Field Trip at TeacherTube!

How to Create a Student-Centered Classroom at

http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=171842&title=Student_Centered_Classroom&vpkey=8b80342839

• What is a “student-centered” classroom?• How does this differ from what we think of as a

“traditional” (teacher-centered) classroom?• What ideas do you have for creating a student-centered

classroom?

Seminar Questions

• How do teachers’ instructional goals and activities define the physical environment of the classroom?

• What considerations would classroom teachers make regarding the specific needs of their students in arranging the physical environment of the classroom?

• How would you and the classroom teachers want to make the best use of wall space?

Field Trip! Explore your own Classroom Arrangement

Visit the “Classroom Architect Tool” site at http://classroom.4teachers.org/

Scroll down and plan your own ideal classroom environment

Case Study-Miss Sunshine

The desks in Miss Sunshine’s classroom are arranged in a “U” shape with room to move around in the center. The outer edges of the classroom have small workstations and centers set up such as a writing center, math exploration with manipulatives, weather/calendar center, science table and listening center. There is a carpeted area in the back of the room with shelves full of books, bean bags and fuzzy stuffed animals. There is a sign-in sheet for each center and for the library area. In addition, the walls are decorated with all sorts of hands-on projects the children have created along with the weekly job chart

Case Study- Miss Krabapl

The desks in Miss Krabapl’s room are arranged neatly in 6 rows of 4 desks each. Miss Krabapl’s desk is in the front of the room and next to her desk is an “in bin” for student to hand in their completed papers. All her teaching manuals and materials are at the front of the room on her desk and there is a line taped to the floor next to her desk where the students stand behind as they wait their turn to approach her. The walls have commercially made teaching charts, etiquette reminders and the class rules. The students workbooks that don’t fit in their desks are neatly arranged ontop of a bookcase along the back wall.

A Look Ahead-Unit 5 PreviewThe Classroom Culture• Classroom culture is based on relationships, attitudes,

values of teacher, para and students• Building “group cohesiveness” and a sense of belonging• Appreciation of diversity and respect for all• Genuine caring and support• Positive behavior management• Addressing individual needs/learning styles• Organization & management of the learning

environment• No project, 1 graded review

Final thoughts—”You Might Be a Paraprofessional If…..”

• When out in public you feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior.

• You refer to adults as "boys and girls."• You encourage your spouse by telling them they are a "good

helper."• You've ever had your profession slammed by someone who would

never dream of doing your job.• Meeting a child's parents instantly answers the question, "Why is

this kid like this?".• You know hundred good reasons for being late.• You don't want children of your own because there isn't a name you

can hear that wouldn't elevate your blood pressure.Adapted from “Teacher Jokes” at http://www.jokesaboutteachers.net/jokes_teachers_twelve.html