On this episode I have identified 4 issues(my problems) I am having in my classroom right now(Classroom Management). I will share with you my plan for managing and hopefully improving my classroom with some researched and solid solutions.
How did we get here?
We have reached the midpoint of the year. It has been truly exhausting. Teachers are battling the ins and outs of learning modes in this pandemic world and the continuing addition of new students. We’ve implemented new procedures to keep us healthy and strained our eyes on the countless hours of screen time.
What cannot be lost is the routine that I practice every January. I take some time to receive feedback from my colleagues and my students. I more intentionally reflect on the shortcomings of my practice and how it is affecting the students I have right now.
High Expectations Regardless of Circumstances
This year is special, I am trying to divide the Covid problems and the normal challenges I would face in a typical year. I believe this is absolutely important. Many months ago I heard someone suggest we drop the language that suggests our kids just can’t and won’t do as well this year because of the pandemic. I’m guilty of this montra more than once and that is far too many. We must continue to have high expectations no matter the extrinsic circumstances.
I know I’ve seen what I call covid learning apathy in my own class. Some students “checked out” during the pandemic in the spring and may have struggled to check back in. What I mean is that students developed bad habits during emergency virtual learning(out of our control) and have continued those habits. As we all know, unfortunately, depending on what grade you are in, some students might have been barely hanging on to start with. And in reality they may have plenty of justified reasons, but nonetheless.
I believe the problems I am struggling with are certainly manifesting because of the pandemic world. Students in my world are in-person, cohorted and near similar people all day as they have for 90 days. This has exacerbated the issues I might see to be minor in most years.
Problem 1: Student work completion
Problem: Students not turning in needed practice and/or untimely completion(late)
Solutions:
Build the capacity to stay organized by binder/folder use and utilization of the assignment notebook. I have dedicated much of my time to online solutions. (Despite the common LMS, they do not look or are just overwhelmed with the many platforms.)
Fill out the assignment notebook together. Duh right? Binder/folder organization on Friday’s
Friday email
Problem 2: Off-Task Behavior during independent time
Problem: The students are not on-task when it is independent time to work.
Solutions:
Praise the desired behavior.
More immediate feedback(return of task or check-ins) to create urgency. if they know they’ll see results with immediacy it creates value and motivation to get it done
Post-it note to do list - visual incentive. Eyes on the computer (literally).
Exemplar - Motivation to achieve desired result.
Problem 3: Blurting
Problem: Students are not participating properly in class discussion. Frequently the blurting is not on-task, but can be just lacking timing of proper participation.
Solutions: Cultural Sensitivity (prespecified normal)
Explain why it is wrong,
