One thing I definitely found that I could incorporate into my own classroom is that I can collaborate with my team of teachers to be consistent with classroom rules and expectations. I can even have students collaborate on them and help take ownership of them within the classroom. This should cut down on the negative behavior and make the classroom environment feel more welcoming. I would also incorporate some type of reward system to help students stay on task, behave in a positive manner, and accomplish the goals set for daily instruction. The idea of "Behavior Baseball" was a good idea to me. This is also a good way to make the school day more fun and interesting when students are rewarded as a class with fun activities.
I think it is important to incorporate social and emotional standards in everyday curriculum. I am glad that more and more schools are incorporating these standards in the lessons. I think that it makes the students more self-aware of themselves, aware of those around them, and help them grow into responsible adults some day. I think these standards help students to have less stress, anxiety, and develop positive strategies for relieving those behaviors. Students gain more confidence in classroom and life situations. Students even learn to be more self-sufficient as they get older. It is an easy thing for teachers to model these social and emotional standards for their students. I think it is important for teachers to model these, as students look to adults for guidance. In Middle School, students do look at peers for social cues and ideas, but I think a good adult role model will help a struggling student combat some of the negative influences surrounding them during this crucial time in development.
I think the best advice given in the article and the AMLE text is that teachers need to stay current with teaching strategies and the latest research. To continue with their own education is critical and to be able to connect with the students on their own level with not only help with their academic life, but with their own physical and emotional development as well.
Hi Diane,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about collaborating with other teachers about expectations and classroom rules. I think that often times, middle schoolers do see rules as meant to be broken and so having a widespread acceptance about what the expectations are, it could reduce the risk of having authority challenged. I remember in my own middle school years that one teacher would be more tolerant about dress code issues such as wearing hats in class so they became the "cool" teacher while other teachers would not allow it. In a way, teaching is somewhat like parenting (not that I am a parent so this is an assumption from what I see with my own parents). In order for there to be effective learning and peace, there has to be unity within the authority figures. When I was younger, if I know for example that my dad will allow a behavior but not my mom, I would use the "well, dad let me do it" card until my mom finally let me do the thing I wanted to do. So in the same way, having the same set of expectations across classrooms would limit rules and expectations to be challenged.
Another thing that you mentioned was having teacher stay current with teaching strategies in the latest research. I know that in the state of Illinois at leas, teachers have to go to a certain amount of hours of Professional Development in I think it is five years in order to keep their license. I like that this is required because it requires teachers to stay current on the latest research and teaching strategies so that they can both connect with their students and have effective teaching.
Hi Diane! I couldn't agree more with the importance of teachers staying up to date on current events, teaching strategies, and the latest research. In my own opinion, the best teachers are those who are willing to adapt and try new things, rather than sticking with the same strategies year after year, which can quickly become outdated and not relatable. Just like I'll always remember the best teachers I've ever had, I'll also always remember the worst teachers I've ever had. Some of those, included teachers who had been teaching for many years, were near retirement, and unwilling to do anything outside of what they've taught for the last 30 years. I personally feel that if we want to go into teaching, we have to be willing to put in the extra work to ensure our students are engaged, and not just do what's "easy" for us.
ReplyDeleteThis was especially eye opening for me when I took the technology in education course at Trinity. How quickly technology evolves can be both fascinating, and frustrating.. but if we choose to not remain engaged, we will fall behind. I think just as it is important to stay on top of current teaching strategies, it's imperative to remain engaged in new technology and resources available to teachers/students.