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Lesson Plans


Here's my question ...

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Sarah Elizabeth McDougall (mcdoug43)
20 Feb 1998 21:15:42 -0000

HI!
I'm a Student Teacher and my first full week in the classroom
starts this Monday. The classroom that I'm working in is real laid-back
and the kids always seem at ease (7-12). As part of my course work, I'm
supposed to think of my philosophy on Classroom Management. My
cooperating teacher has a very Interpersonal approach with her students and
I think that's particially why they seem to react so well to her. The
students seem to know their limits( with my cooperating teacher) ... and
the classroom climate has been set. The students can move as they please
and socilaize throughout class .... I have absoluting no probelm with that
.... actually it makes more at ease that they are not as quiet as field
mice. Although I sometimes wish that my philosophy would fall more towards
that of my cooperating teacher, I realize that for my own sanity and first
experience in the teaching world, I need to try my own approach to see if I
can feel even more comfortable....I want my student teaching experience to
get me off to a positive start in the education world.

One of my goals would be to set-up my own rules for the classroom. The
students are not what I would even consider "bad", yet some of their
behaviors make me so nervous (For example: throwing pencils & crayons, mild
rough-housing, foul-language, etc.) I'd like to establish a list of very
simple rules: No throwing objects, noise level should be that I can talk
over (since I have a rather quiet voice and prefer not raising it unless
neccessary). Of course, if the rules were broken, there would have to be a
plan of action. Do I send the student who is talking over me into the
hallway until I'm finished talking? Do I make a seating chart if noise
level is uncontrollable? Do I start a demerit system ..... everytime you
throw an object it gets marked down ....once it's happened 3,5, 7, .... you
face this consequence?

My mother is also a classroom educator ... although not in art. I spoke to
her about my goal. She wondered if this would push the students away from
me because they are already so accustomed to the classroom "climate". My
cooperating teacher is great in that she has told me that she'll support me
in whatever I want to accomplish.

As Art Educators, what do you all think? Do you think my approach to
classroom management will push them away from me as their new,
inexperienced art "teacher"? My professors say that if you stick to your
initial plans for Classroom Management, you'll be o.k., just don't go back
on your rules. I'd appreciate any feedback :o)

Sarah