Module 2Advanced Preparation

for the School YearTED 377

Methods in Sec. Ed.

Module 2

• Organizing the classroom.• Rules and procedures.• Preparing for the first days of school.

Students will explain the roles and responsibilities (including confidential record keeping and reporting) of classroom teachers to motivate and manage all students in Secondary programs.

Students will explain the roles and responsibilities (including confidential record keeping and reporting) of classroom teachers to motivate and manage all students in Secondary programs.

Organizing the Classroom

Importance of Organization

• Appropriate, effective arrangement of your classroom supports good classroom management.

• This must be done in advance!• Arrange your classroom to allow:

– Orderly movement of students.– Few distractions.– Efficient use of available space.

Importance of Organization

• Inappropriate or ill-conceived room arrangement can lead to classroom management problems.– Interruptions.– Delays.– Dead time.– Students off-task.– Behavior problems.– Lower learning.

Organizational DecisionsNeed to Be Made In Advance

• Should desks be in rows or clusters? What direction should they face?

• Where should the teacher desk be?• What area should be used for

presentations?• Where will materials be stored? How will

you and students obtain these materials?

5 Keys to Positive Room Arrangement

1. Use a room arrangement consistent with your instructional goals and activities.

2. Keep high traffic areas free of congestion.

3. Ensure students are easily seen by teacher.

4. Ensure students can view instructional presentations and displays.

5. Keep frequently used materials/supplies accessible.

(Emmer, Evertson, Worsham, 2003)

1. Identify Instruction Area

• Begin by identifying where you will conduct whole-class instruction.– Near chalkboard/whiteboard.– Near projector screen (for overhead or PC).– Room for a table for your supplies.– Near an electrical outlet.

2. Situate Student Desks

• Have students face instructional area.• Avoid facing sources of distraction

(window, doorway).• Do not put desks (or anything) in front of

doors, PC’s, pencil sharpener, sink, etc.• Allow sufficient room around desks to

allow for monitoring seatwork.

3. Situate Teacher’s Desk

• Make it functional:– Will you keep supplies on the desk?– Will you work with individual students?– Will you sit and work at your desk?

If you will be at your desk, place it so that you can effectively monitor students. It is not important that students all see you from their seats. Maybe place your desk at the back rather than the front of the room.

4. Situate PC Workstations

• Locate PC’s near outlets and network connection. (Limited choices.)

• Ensure you can monitor room while helping a student at a PC.

• Allow space for PC supplies.• Plan to limit number of students working a

computer to 3-4.

5. Locate Centers Area (if used)

• Work on a special activity or study a topic for enrichment or remediation, or use for free reading activities.

• Possibly include:– Area rug.– Bookcases.– Small table.– Comfortable seating.

• Consider value vs. loss of space.• Ensure you can monitor students easily.

6. Locate Storage and Supplies

• Books and bookcases:– Determine which books will remain in room

(dictionaries, reference books, additional reading materials).

– Use bookcases for frequently used material. Seldom used material should be stored.

– Place bookcases where they can be accessed easily by students, and where you can monitor use.

– Ensure bookcases do not block your view of students, nor students’ view of chalkboards or displays.

Locate Storage and Supplies

• Make frequently used materials accessible:– Paper (various sizes and colors).– Rulers.– Scissors.– Chalk and erasers.– Tape (transparent and masking).– Stapler and staple remover.– Glue.– Push pins, thumbtacks, poster putty.

• Have extra student-supplied items ready at beginning of year (pens, pencils, etc.).

Locate Storage and Supplies

• Organize teacher materials:– Grade book, lesson plan book, teacher’s

editions of textbooks, school forms (attendance, money collecting, etc.).

– Set up a filing system.• Separate notes, forms, papers for each class in a

separate folder.• Keep materials used frequently separate from

materials used ocassionaly.

Locate Storage and Supplies

• Don’t forget about these materials:– Calendar.– Desk bell and/or timer.– Tissues.– Paper towels.– Soap, cleanser, and a small plastic bucket.– Band-aids.– Tools (hammer, pliers, screwdriver).– Adaptors, extension cords, cord cover

(remember safety).

Locate Storage and Supplies

• Store seasonal and infrequently used items:– Holiday decorations.– Bulletin board displays.– Special project materials.– Various tools (protractors, compasses, art

materials, science equipment).• Store in closets or in boxes on top of

cabinets.

Consideration: Seating and Student Interaction

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Source: jamescmccroskey.com/publications/082.pdf

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Consideration:Supporting Classroom Activities

Source: web.utk.edu/~mccay/apdm/classmgt/classmgt_b.htm

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Online Tools

• Classroom Architect at 4Teachers.org:– Allows a teacher to design a classroom.

4Teachers.org

Class Activity #1

1. In dyads/small groups, analyze the layout of a classroom arrangement:

a) Identify advantages and disadvantages:• What are the potential problems to classroom

management? (Remember the 5 keys.)• What are the advantages of the layout?

b) Suggest specific rearrangements of the layout that would improve classroom management.

Module Activity (Individual)

2. Draw a room arrangement:a) Determine what you will need to support your style

of teaching– Overhead projector, PowerPoint, cooperative learning

groups, learning centers, access to materials, etc.b) Using tools at 4TeacherTools.org, draw a room

arrangement that will support positive classroom management.

c) Identify several important key aspects of your room arrangement and how it supports the 5 keys to a positive room arrangement.

d) Write a brief essay or list bulleted points that indicate how your design supports positive classroom management.

Rules and Procedures

Rules and Procedures

• Good classroom management is based on students’ understanding of behaviors expected of them.

• System of rules and procedures helps communicate expectations to students.

Communicateexpectations

Rules and Procedures

• Rules: Stated expectations or a standard regarding behavior (respecting other peoples’ property, no gum chewing, speaking after receiving permission).– Usually 5-8 rules is sufficient.– Also called policies or guidelines to avoid

negative connotation of rules.• Procedures: A routine that applies to a

specific activity (collecting assignments, leaving the room). Usually are specific behaviors that support rules.

Rules and Procedures

• Widely recognized that the establishment of rules and procedures is a vital part to maintaining class control.– Rules identify expectations of student

behavior (Evertson, Emmer, & Worsham, 2003).

• An effective practice is to discuss the rationale for rules and procedures (Good & Brophy, 2003).

Rules and Procedures

• Effective teachers:– Spend significantly more time establishing

and enforcing rules and procedures than 1st year teachers (Moskowitz & Hayman, 1976).

– Plan for classroom management before the beginning of the year (Evertson & Weinstein, 2006).

– Spend time at the beginning of the year making sure that students understand the rules and procedures (Evertson & Weinstein, 2006).

School Rules and Procedures

• Find out school-wide rules and procedures:– Behaviors specifically forbidden or required

(carrying of weapons, hall passes).– Consequences of rule violations.– Administrative procedures teachers need to

accomplish (taking attendance, collecting money, assigning textbooks to students).

Sample Rules

1. Bring all needed materials to class.– Emphasizes preparedness.– Communicate exactly what is needed.– Possibly certain materials on specific days.

2. Be in your seat and ready to work when the bell rings.

– Pencils sharpened before bell rings.– Paper and pens out and ready to go.– Start activities upon entering room.

Sample Rules

3. Respect and be polite to everyone.– Listen when teacher or student is speaking.– Behavior for a substitute.– No fighting, name calling, etc.

4. Listen and stay seated when someone is talking.

– Specific, but less inclusive, than previous rule.

– Requires little interpretation.

Sample Rules

5. Respect other people’s property.– Keep room neat and clean.– Pick up litter.– Return borrowed property.– No writing on desks.– Get permission before using someone’s property.

6. Obey all school rules.– Suggests that you monitor behavior covered by

school rules.– Including this in your rules provides an opportunity

to discuss.

Involving Students in Rule Setting

• Hold a discussion of reasons for having certain rules.

• Share in the decision-making process for specific rules.– Remember that you might be teaching 5 different

classes.– Policies essential to managing instruction should be

set by the teacher.• Permit student choice regarding particular

behaviors (gum chewing, silence ortalking allowed during seatwork).

Involving Students in Rule Setting

• Many effective managers do not allow students to participate in rule setting.– Establish reasonable rules.– Provide an understandable rationale.– Enforce rules consistently.

If you are reasonable and fair in the setting and enforcing of your rules, the majority of students will abide by them.

Strategy: Involving Studentsin Rule-making?

• Characteristics of a Good Teacher

• Characteristics of a Good Student

Consequences forNot Following Rules

• Be aware of consequences for school-wide rules and enforce them.

• Plan consequences for not following rules in advance.

• Provide consistency in enforcing rules.

Examples

Suggested Rules for High School (Teach-nology.com)

Suggested Classroom Rules for Teachers

Suggested resource for collaboratively designing rules.

SuggestedRules

Suggested Rules #2

Establishing Rules

Communicating Rules

Rules Online for Every Teacher

Video: What if no one followed the rules?

See a teacher’s PowerPoint for opening day.

All Teacher Rules

PowerPoint

Class Activity #2

• Create a set of general rules (approx. 5-8 rules) you might want in your first classroom.– Specify the grade for which you are preparing

these rules. Rules for younger students will need to be more specific than for older students.

Video: Preparation

• As you watch this video:– What is the importance of establishing

classroom rules?– How much student involvement might you

incorporate in setting your classroom rules?– What insights did you gain?

Classroom Rules (4:07)

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Video: Discussion

• Rank each of the following, in order of importance, that you consider to be necessary in a good teacher:– Setting boundaries around student behaviors

in your classroom.– Establishing routines for classroom conduct.– Developing a relationship with your students.– Knowledge of your topic and appropriate

lesson plans.

Classroom Procedures

• Beginning of period procedures:– Attendance check.

• Roll call at first; use seating chart later.

– Students absent previous day.• Absence slips.• Handouts and missed assignments.

– Behavior expected of students.• What will students do while you handle administrative tasks?

– Students leaving the room.• Visits to lav, fountain, office, nurse.• Visit to locker to retrieve materials for class.

Classroom Procedures

• Use of materials and equipment:– Student materials and equipment:

• Identify what student should use, how it should be operated, and under what conditions.

• Identify what should not be used and explain rationale.

– Teacher materials and equipment:• Younger grades need this stated.• Rationale is obvious. Spend little time here.

Classroom Procedures

• Ending of period procedures:– Get students and room ready.

• Allow sufficient time at end for cleanup and announcements.

• Allow enough time so students can travel to their next class without being tardy.

– Signal for dismissal.• Teacher (rather than bell) signals end of period.• Allows you to hold students longer if needed.• Prevents students to quit working early in

anticipation of the end of the period.

Classroom Procedures

• During instruction:–Student attention during presentations.

• Require textbook and notebook on desk only.

• State if students should take notes. Possibly:

– Provide guidance on important points to notate.– Provide a partially completed outline.– Describe (and show) a well-organized

notebook.

Classroom Procedures

• During instruction (cont’d):–Student participation.

• Require students to raise hands.• Call on volunteers and non-volunteers.• Maybe let answering student name the next

person.• Exceptions: 1) choral response, or 2) when

hand raising might interfere with a discussion.

Classroom Procedures

• During instruction (cont’d):– Seatwork.

• Talk among students.– No talk or quiet talking (must be explained).

• Getting help.– Raise hands vs. having a line of students at your desk.

• Out-of-seat activities (pencils, garbage, submitting work).– One-at-a-time rule.– At end of period or when necessary.

• After seatwork is completed.– Enrichment activity (explain details).– Free reading, work on other assignments, etc.

Classroom Procedures

• During group work:– Assign students to groups.

• Avoid students who do not work well together.• Include various motivation levels.• Base grade on individual and group activity.

– Specify goals and procedures.• Specify goals and how to address task.• Assign students to specific roles.

Classroom Procedures

• Miscellaneous procedures:– Establish signals.

• Turn off lights, turn on overhead, ring a bell, walk to the lectern.

– PA announcements.• Students must be silent.

– Fire and disaster drills.• Explain how students will leave room, and where

they will go.• Familiarize yourself with school procedures.

Examples

Mrs. Grayot’s procedures and sign-off sheetWall HS

Mr. Neives’ proceduresFreedom HS

Mrs. Felciano’s proceduresCorning Union HS

Example 1

Example 2

Example 3

Preparing for theFirst Days of School

Video: First Week of School

• As you watch this video:– What is the first week of school like?– What are your priorities for the first week of

school as a new teacher?– What insights did you gain?

New Teacher: First Day/First Week (4:11)

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Before Students Arrive

1. Prepare bulletin boards:– Decorate one bulletin board to gain student

interest and set a welcoming tone to start.• “Welcome back” or “Go Trojans.”

– Establish a place to list daily assignments.– Cover large bulletin boards (that are

currently unused) with colored paper and possibly a border to brighten the classroom.

Before Students Arrive

2. Place a numbered list of class privileges on poster paper on one side of the chalkboard.

3. On poster paper, place a list of your classroom expectations (rules) and consequences—no more than ten—and numbered.

4. On the board write: “Until everyone has arrived, please quietly read over the syllabus and list of privileges, expectations, and consequences that are on your desk. Thank you.”

Before Students Arrive

5. On each desk place a packet for students:

– Handout of Classroom Expectations.– Syllabus.– Attach an end page with your academic

honesty policy and a place for the student’s signature and personal information. You will collect this last page.

6. On each desk place a tent card with a student’s name.

As Students Arrive

7. Stand at the door and greet the students.

8. Stop and observe the students in class periodically, correcting attempts to talk or leave their desks. (Remember, you already placed an assignment on the board.)

9. Once all students have arrived, close the door.

First Activities

10.Go over the Handout of Classroom Expectations. – Call on a student and ask, “Why is it a reasonable

privilege or standard?” Ask three or four students to give different reasons. Affirm each one, elaborate, and say, “Thank you.”

– Ask students for questions and comments after each privilege, standard, and consequence is stated.

11. Go over the syllabus items one by one.

First Activities

12.When you get to explaining homework:– Tell the students that you also have a

standard for the teacher.• Explain to students they will always receive

feedback from you the next day after submitting homework.

– Call on several students to explain why homework is important.

– Call on several a student to explain why giving feedback right away is important.

– Affirm each response, elaborate, and thank each student.

First Activities

– At the end of this discussion, ask students if there are any modifications or additions to the expectations and privileges that they think would make the class go better.

• If you get a good idea, add it to the poster paper and tell them to add it to their documents.

First Activities

13.Then give them a homework assignment

14. If there is any time remaining, teach something!

Class Activity #3

• Given a list of areas where classroom procedures are necessary, briefly describe what your procedure for each of the listed areas might be. Each is a common aspect of daily life in a classroom, and planning in advance in each area is essential to promote positive classroom management.

Starting the Ongoing Course Project: Wiki

Ongoing Course Project: Wiki

• Ongoing Course Project (30%): Participate as an author and organizer of a classroom management online resource, in the form of a class Wiki. Research as needed, submit material to the Wiki, and participate in organizing the information into a practical, usable resource.

Evaluation of Wiki Project

• Individual:1. Number of contributions.

2. Overall value of contributions to the Wiki project.

3. Substance of individual contribution.

4. Quality of writing.

5. Individual effort.

Evaluation of Wiki Project

• Overall:1. Organization of the Wiki.

2. Value of the Wiki to teachers.

3. Breadth of content (topics).

4. Research beyond classroom discussion.

5. Group effort.

Using the Wiki Tool

• Logging in and editing the Wiki.• Using the discussion tool.• Using the history tool.

Class Wiki

Graduate Class Example

Organizing: Review of Topics/Modules

• Mod 1: Intro. to Classroom Management.• Mod 2: Advanced Preparation for the School

Year.• Mod 3: Legal Rights and Responsibilities.• Mod 4: Motivation and Behavior Management

Challenges.– A: Motivating students.– B: Maintaining appropriate behavior.– C: Managing problem behaviors.– D: Managing students with special needs.

Organizing: Review of Topics/Modules

• Mod 5: Planning and Conducting Instruction.

• Mod 6: Developing a Classroom Management System.

Discussion / Planning Session

Review:MODULE 2

• Organizing the classroom.• Rules and procedures.• Preparing for the first days of school.• Starting the ongoing course project: Wiki.