Seeing Classroom Management Up Close

This week I have decided that I did not want to do my research online for my independent project but I wanted to do it in a real class situation. I have recently started my observing for O&P which allows me to see classroom management up close and be hands on. I have noticed many things while I have been placed in the classroom.

I have been placed at the Chadron Primary School in a second grade classroom. First off, I have found that I love second graders. They are so eager to learn and ask so many great questions that even make me stop to think. I was fortunate enough to be placed in a classroom that has great kids. So far I have not seen one bad behavioral issue that was needed to be addressed. They all have manners, do what they are supposed to do right away, and they are eager to learn.

After spending sometime it made me realize why these students act the way they do. For one, I think that it some great parenting going on at home. However, I think that it is the classroom setting the expectations early and following through with them. I have been able to stay a full day and a half day. I think that this has been very beneficial for me to see because I have seen what their routine is for the day. They have structure in their classroom and I think that is where the good behavior begins. When the classroom teacher asks them to sit down and work they for the most part do it. However, this last Friday they were struggling with getting to work on their work because it was Friday and they were ready for the weekend. She told them to get busy a few times and then when they wouldn’t she took time out of their recess. I thought that was very effective because all children want to go outside to play, once she did that they got to work.

Another thing that I have noticed while being in the classroom is how it setup. There are four groups and in each group there is five desks. I love how this is set up because the students can work with each other in groups but they can still work alone too. Another classroom management thing that there is a leader of the class each week. The leader leads the line, do board work, and takes care of the paper work that needs to be sent to the office. I loved that idea because each student will get a turn but also it make the kids feel like they have more than learning as their job.

I have found that the classroom management style I have noticed the last couple weeks is a structure that I would like in my classroom someday. I think getting up close and seeing it first hand is easier to comprehend than just learning about it online. I have two more placements for O&P so I am excited to see how those two teachers run their classroom.

Photo CC By: Robert Kaufmann