Classroom Management

Hi there,

Thanks for dropping by.  Apologies for the length of time since my previous post.  I've been frantically busy with school and essays and the such.  Plus I turned 23 recently, so I've been enjoying my birthday.

Anyways, enough of the waffle lets get on with it.

I've been thinking a lot recently about "Classroom Management."  Yeah, I know! It's the Zen of Teaching.  How do you keep the little bleeders from playing merry hell within your classroom, well its surely a topic that encourages a lot of debate.

Of course, I'll try right at the beginning.  The Cane!

Right, of course.  I'm completely against Corporal punishment, it's been rightfully banned many years ago.  But in a strange way, it's removal as triggered a great debate.

How do you control a classroom now?

Well, there are a few different ideas and strategies.  My personal idea on it, is to use your personality.  I'm quite a casual and informal person, but I draw the line at a very defined point.  Something which  took a few weeks to get over well enough, and do I'm getting some good world out of the kids, pity I'm finishing teaching with them this week, eh?  But there are some down-points to this type of classroom management:

1. You can't get instant rapport with your class.

2. They can see it as a chance to play hell with you.

3. Your attitude can be misunderstood as a chance to relax and doss during the lesson.

But I feel, that this type of style is probably the best way to go.  I recently the SENCO of my school, teach a bottom set year 10.  With incredible control, she was empathetic, informal and showed great humour with her class.  But they knew they couldn't dare step out of line!  Now if I ever had control of a class like that, I know I've done well!

The other main school of thought, is the strict and sold type of teacher.  The "Thall shalln't not f*ck with type!"  A type of teacher focused on delivering the lesson, under strict conditions and impose hard penalties on misbehaviour.  Now there are three big faults in this style as well

1. Children become bored, and therefore disruptive!

2. Children might be afraid to ask question, therefore might not learn!

3. Children might rebel and your control is out of the window straight away! 

I've observed lessons with this type of style, and although it does have it's really good points! I found it dull and boring, and I struggled to be motivated or interested.  But that's just me, of course!

The way I see it, every class is different.  For example, I'm more strict with a year 8 of mine then a year 7.  I put it down to the personalities and their potential to "blow up." There is sadly, no "one size fits all" type of classroom management.  But I think you're going to "make it" as a teacher, I'd suggest you need three things to get through "Classroom Management"

1. A Personality - You need to be able to hold children's attention.  You need a Personality to impress your own style on exposition and control.

2. A thick skin - Children can be cruel, don't let them see you crack, otherwise you lose! BIG!

3. A strict set of rules - whether your formal or an informal teacher, pupils need to know where the line is! Blurred lines can equal big trouble, fairness is critical!

Well, I think that's it for now! Tell you what, I'll give you a two for one deal this week and blog for you later in the week!

Til then,

Peter 

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