Blog Response #1: Tell us about a classroom event this year that had an impact on your professional growth and/or vision this year.
In my last student teaching placement in a 1st grade classroom, I was working on growing in the area of classroom management. In particular I was uncomfortable with giving specific and positive reinforcement of good student behavior as well as enforcing the consequence of "signing the book" for student misbehavior. Eventually, I did start getting used to being constantly vigilant and verbal about specific student behavior. I tried to be fair and consistent with all students. However, one day I ended up having some students "sign the book" who usually have good behavior, but I felt needed that consequence after I had already set expectations about what they were to be doing. The next day, my CT ended up pulling me aside because she had heard from parents that some of their kids came home upset and crying the other day because I had them sign the book. My CT clarified that the book was to be used only after trying positive reinforcement and making sure students were give a direct verbal warning/reminder first.
Yikes! I had not idea that these students were so upset by having to sign the behavior book. To me "signing the book" was a way for me to show that I was firm and fair with my behavior expectations, but for some of the students it was no small thing. After that experience I was definitely more afraid, but also more careful and thoughtful about how I give out consequences and how that impacts students. The ironic thing about the experience is that before that incidence I had sent a few students to sign the book before, but these students took it in stride because they were used to having to sign the book and it was not as much of a shock as it was for the others. Overall, in terms of professional development, getting some parent feedback about students response to behavior consequences forced me to question whether or not I was being fair to students and realize that those consequences in the classroom may be having an impact I do not see at school. I have learned to be more thoughtful in how I do behavior consequences and the lasting impact of what I say to students.
2 comments:
They probably didn't act like that again. As long as your fair and consistent. Also acting on behaviors as soon as they happen is important.
Hi Misty, For me as well classroom management had been an issue in my last placement. It is difficult to balance positive reinforcement with more punitive measures like signing the book or changing one's card. In my class, I tried to follow the CT's model as closely as possible by using lots of signaling, echo talk, and tapping on shoulders or students' desks to get them to stay on task. I think I improved like you in terms of managing the class and using a more firm but fair approach. I tried talking to more students on a one on one basis. With practice we will both grow in this area.
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