Blog #1

 

Classroom Management 101

Going into this course, I felt like classroom management was very self explanatory and was not something I poured a lot of thought into. Being someone who is intrinsically motivated to follow the rules regardless, I never considered those who do not have the same drive to do so. I always knew I would implement rules within my classroom and assumed they would be the same guidelines that students encountered in every other class. However, now that I am developing deeper thoughts surrounding the subject, I have a few things that have been both reassured and built on. For starters, I've learned the value in allowing students to play a role in dictating their own classroom policies. Not only does this give them an environment they feel like they contributed to, but it also gives them incentive to abide by the rules they created. In addition to this, a variety of great opportunities for leadership roles, relationship building, communication practice, and in some cases, community awareness can arise as well. Something that has been reassured is the importance of rules and structure in a classroom. Of course you want a fun and chaotic learning environment to an extent, but there still must be guidelines. These help show your students what their expectations are and help in sculpting the morals of right vs. wrong. Overall, I feel like we have only touched the surface so far in diving into classroom management and I'm excited to continuously learn more and versify my mindset further. 

When reading about Charles three purposes of discipline, I realized they correlate quite heavily. Classroom management has layers that are different but come together to build a sturdy foundation. First, discipline maintains a safe and civil environment that allows for high quality teaching and learning to occur. Second, discipline promotes civility and responsible behavior as major character traits in children. Third, discipline helps students develop and use inner motivation and on-going self control. The connection is simple. Students must promote civil and responsible behavior in order to have a safe environment. In addition, while using these behavior skills, they developing self control in their actions. As a result, they are forming intrinsic motivation as they see the positive outcome of behaving properly. When a classroom is structured with good behavior and all students following the same guidelines, then a higher level of teaching and learning will both occur. Essentially, each of these purposes go hand in hand in developing a disciplined and successful classroom. They create a domino effect that creates an on-going positive impact as each  positive trait feeds off one another. I think Charles was smart in developing multiple purposes of discipline that hit 3 different categories. However, what made them the most effective was their connection to one another. 

I am personally the most attracted to being a "referent" authority figure. I liked this one because it encourages students to behave not because they fear me but instead because they trust me. I think trust and building relationships with your students is so important. I never want my students to feel like they are performing a certain way because they have to but instead because they know it's for the best interest and future success. Being an effective teacher starts with your ability to form relationships with your students. So, I chose this authority base because it has the most positive attributes correlated with it. The whole goal is to build relationships and participate in good behavior for intrinsic reasons.