Portfolio Item D Classroom Layouts
During my visit to Hamilton middle school I had a chance to look into some of the classroom in the language art and social studies classes. To my surprise all but one of the classes used what I would call the traditional layout where you have rolls of desk/table lined up like a eighteen count egg carton. Only one class which a language arts teacher who had her class layout in a U shape. Her reasoning for this was it make it very easy to get to students who needed help and she like the idea of having the students face each other during discussion and debates. I agree with this line of thinking where the students look at each others’ faces instead of the back of another student’s head plus when you transition to group discussion it’s as simple as having the inside roll of students turn their chairs side ways. The other teachers who use the standard layout all preferred the traditional method of delivering a lesson where they lead and the students follow so they want all eyes on them. It seem that classroom layout wasn’t a big concern and there focus was on delivery of the lesson. The teachers who’s rooms I visited had teaching experiences from as little as six years and up to seven years so I would image that they were not too worried about trying the various layouts we seen in text books and online.
During my visit to Hamilton middle school I had a chance to look into some of the classroom in the language art and social studies classes. To my surprise all but one of the classes used what I would call the traditional layout where you have rolls of desk/table lined up like a eighteen count egg carton. Only one class which a language arts teacher who had her class layout in a U shape. Her reasoning for this was it make it very easy to get to students who needed help and she like the idea of having the students face each other during discussion and debates. I agree with this line of thinking where the students look at each others’ faces instead of the back of another student’s head plus when you transition to group discussion it’s as simple as having the inside roll of students turn their chairs side ways. The other teachers who use the standard layout all preferred the traditional method of delivering a lesson where they lead and the students follow so they want all eyes on them. It seem that classroom layout wasn’t a big concern and there focus was on delivery of the lesson. The teachers who’s rooms I visited had teaching experiences from as little as six years and up to seven years so I would image that they were not too worried about trying the various layouts we seen in text books and online.
Portfolio Item E
My middle school classes I will ask if I can have student proctors to help out with the daily task of copying worksheets, taking attendance to the office r posting weekly assignment posters. (I’m a very visual person and I will use my creativity to ensure students know daily and weekly assignments) Bell schedules will be posted either around the clock or by the door entrance. I will have my student do daily journal entries with a prompt or question of the day for the first five minutes of classes this will allow me to do house keeping while they are writing. After that we’ll begin the agenda for the day.
For turning in assignments my classroom will feature designed file baskets for each class. Student will be required to turn in any assignment at the end of the period on the due date. Late work will be turned in at a basket located at my desk/work area. For grading I will utilized the school’s system and also use a tracker apps or Google Classroom so I can reveal students’ grade to them on a smart phone or tablet. This app will also email the parents the grades if needed. All assignments, essays, test will simply be stamped work completed and put into the completed returned work file baskets next to the assignment baskets. Unless it’s a class reviewed paper all complete work goes in the basket.
During the first few weeks I will do a verbal roll call the purpose behind this is to become familiar with the students names and faces. It’s also a chance to find out if they prefer nicknames. Once I am familiar with names and faces a visual roll call will be enter into the school computer or iPad. With regards to lunch count at the middle school level students have accounts set up in their school so there’s no reason for a lunch count. If I happen to end up at a school where lunch count is required a simple announcement at the beginning of class as following; “Please raise your hand if you are eating hot lunch” take a count and set the information to the office.
Student movement will be based on the CHAMPS Classroom management system. This includes group movement as directed by the teacher will be done in an orderly and timely matter. No movement during lecture and independent study time. Students are allowed a number of restroom passes per week this does not include emergency situations and the need for female students hygiene matters. Students aren’t allowed to leave the classroom the first and last five minutes of class. If a student needs to take a bathroom or water break they will fill out the pass information in their agendas and ask for the teacher to sign it before they leave. For classroom material such as pencils and papers student will be train to have at least two sharpen pencils before class starts and notebook paper if needed. If students need pencils they can borrow one with their student ID or a quarter, which will be returned at the end of the hour when student returns the pencil.
Portfolio Item F
During my observation time the teacher was pretty set in her daily routines she greeted the students as they entered the room once the bell rang she asked for the student to be quiet. She then took roll and gave the student the instruction or task for the day. If she needed something to be passed out or taken to the office she would ask her proctor to do it. The schedule of the daily activities was also written on the white board in case the students missed the verbal delivery.
The paper flow system in the classroom was pretty heavy and considering that it was an English language arts class it was no surprise. Student turned in some type of written paperwork almost daily. This included essays, worksheets and posters. For the standard notebook size material the teacher had rolling file baskets to turn in all assignments at the entrance of the room. For the larger items they were placed on the computer cart at the back of the room. There was also a larger metal file cabinet at the back of the room where the teacher would archive the semesters unpicked up material till the end of the semester. She told me that if a student wanted the material then they needed to pick it up the second week before the semester ended.
Roll was taken at the beginning of the class period and since it was a middle school the teachers aren’t required to take a lunch count. The students simply go to the lunchroom and either they pick up a hot lunch or bring their lunch to the assigned table.
Student movement during class time was based on the CHAMPs classroom management system, which provides detailed behavioral expectations for each instructional approach that you use. So at the beginning of the years student are taught the procedures to use when asking to go to the restroom, get a drink or sharp and ask for a pencil.
- Daily Routes
My middle school classes I will ask if I can have student proctors to help out with the daily task of copying worksheets, taking attendance to the office r posting weekly assignment posters. (I’m a very visual person and I will use my creativity to ensure students know daily and weekly assignments) Bell schedules will be posted either around the clock or by the door entrance. I will have my student do daily journal entries with a prompt or question of the day for the first five minutes of classes this will allow me to do house keeping while they are writing. After that we’ll begin the agenda for the day.
- Paper Flow
For turning in assignments my classroom will feature designed file baskets for each class. Student will be required to turn in any assignment at the end of the period on the due date. Late work will be turned in at a basket located at my desk/work area. For grading I will utilized the school’s system and also use a tracker apps or Google Classroom so I can reveal students’ grade to them on a smart phone or tablet. This app will also email the parents the grades if needed. All assignments, essays, test will simply be stamped work completed and put into the completed returned work file baskets next to the assignment baskets. Unless it’s a class reviewed paper all complete work goes in the basket.
- Roll/Lunch Count
During the first few weeks I will do a verbal roll call the purpose behind this is to become familiar with the students names and faces. It’s also a chance to find out if they prefer nicknames. Once I am familiar with names and faces a visual roll call will be enter into the school computer or iPad. With regards to lunch count at the middle school level students have accounts set up in their school so there’s no reason for a lunch count. If I happen to end up at a school where lunch count is required a simple announcement at the beginning of class as following; “Please raise your hand if you are eating hot lunch” take a count and set the information to the office.
- Student Movement
Student movement will be based on the CHAMPS Classroom management system. This includes group movement as directed by the teacher will be done in an orderly and timely matter. No movement during lecture and independent study time. Students are allowed a number of restroom passes per week this does not include emergency situations and the need for female students hygiene matters. Students aren’t allowed to leave the classroom the first and last five minutes of class. If a student needs to take a bathroom or water break they will fill out the pass information in their agendas and ask for the teacher to sign it before they leave. For classroom material such as pencils and papers student will be train to have at least two sharpen pencils before class starts and notebook paper if needed. If students need pencils they can borrow one with their student ID or a quarter, which will be returned at the end of the hour when student returns the pencil.
Portfolio Item F
- Daily routines classroom observation
During my observation time the teacher was pretty set in her daily routines she greeted the students as they entered the room once the bell rang she asked for the student to be quiet. She then took roll and gave the student the instruction or task for the day. If she needed something to be passed out or taken to the office she would ask her proctor to do it. The schedule of the daily activities was also written on the white board in case the students missed the verbal delivery.
- Paper Flow classroom observation
The paper flow system in the classroom was pretty heavy and considering that it was an English language arts class it was no surprise. Student turned in some type of written paperwork almost daily. This included essays, worksheets and posters. For the standard notebook size material the teacher had rolling file baskets to turn in all assignments at the entrance of the room. For the larger items they were placed on the computer cart at the back of the room. There was also a larger metal file cabinet at the back of the room where the teacher would archive the semesters unpicked up material till the end of the semester. She told me that if a student wanted the material then they needed to pick it up the second week before the semester ended.
- Roll/Lunch count classroom observation
Roll was taken at the beginning of the class period and since it was a middle school the teachers aren’t required to take a lunch count. The students simply go to the lunchroom and either they pick up a hot lunch or bring their lunch to the assigned table.
- Student movement classroom observation
Student movement during class time was based on the CHAMPs classroom management system, which provides detailed behavioral expectations for each instructional approach that you use. So at the beginning of the years student are taught the procedures to use when asking to go to the restroom, get a drink or sharp and ask for a pencil.
Portfolio Item G
Classroom discipline is something I take very serious because I feel that this is one of the major keys that will help maintain a productive learning environment. With that in mind my main focus will be prevention. What I will instill in the students is treat everyone with respect and treat other how you would like to be treated. I will have a very limited number of rules for the students to follow because the less I have the easier it will be for them to remember. The first rule is be prepared for class when the bell rings. The second rule no passes until after instruction and none five minutes before the period ends. The third rule is respect everyone and if a dispute comes up it will be settle in an adult manner you will be asked to make a choice that I offer at the time. Last no throwing items or trash basketball. If students violate any rules that are considered high risk in the student handbook then administration will be asked to handle then manner.
The reward system will be simple will be able to earn homework passes on an individual basis. For the entire class rewards like free days, music days, movie days, and choice your next lesson will be offered on weekly and quarterly basis. I try not to focus to much on rewards because if over done students will do work seeking reward versus learning for knowledge and enjoyment. Parents will be offered a chance to engage in the learning process by volunteering to help in the class, invited as guess to talk about their careers, culture, business, etc. Parents will be provided with all forms of contact to me including, school and cell number, district email address, teachers blog and a interactive apps available on iTunes and Google Play that I’m developing for my first year teaching it will include features like alerting them when their child has done a good deal, if they are in class and reminder to bring homework at let then know a unit has been complete so they can ask them how they performed. This way parent will have access to me and if this is too much tech then they can come see me in person before and after school. With my colleagues I plan to work closely with my grade team and subject team everything from seeing if a certain student is living up to expectations are how they deal with them to get them to work in their class so I can try and apply the technique in my room. With the administrators just having then make periodic appearances in the class and sit ins to give advice will help improve the environment of my class. My idea situation would be to build a team that looks out for the overall interest of the students. I don’t believe in having a lot of rules I want to keep it simple so I can focus on creating a positive learning environment.
Portfolio Item H
I had a chance to interview both a teacher and a building administrator on how they would implement discipline and was surprised that they were on the far end of the spectrum from each other. The teacher believed that all issues needed to be worked out in the classroom and if it couldn’t be resolved then the parents needed to be involved. For some reason the teacher did not want to involve administration and hasn’t sent a kid to detention in the last three years. Her method was to give the student a warning if they didn’t behave. The next step was talk to the student one on one if the student did not correct the behavior then they were sent away to a buddy room. If the student still was having issues the next day then this prompted a call to the parents or guardian to attempt to correct the unwanted behavior. Only when then parents couldn’t deal with the issue the teacher then would involve administration. The building administrator who happened to be the head principle believe that he should only be involved if the student committed a level three offense which endangers classmates, there appears to be some type of abuse a student has suffered at home and when the student becomes totally disruptive that it affects his classmate and they don’t want to listen to the teachers. He was of the belief that as a teacher you are a manager too and most discipline matters should be handled at a classroom level. The teacher while she followed his guidance she didn’t want to deal with administration at all cost even when she should go to administration before going to the parents.
Portfolio Item I Classroom Discipline Web Resources
http://neatoday.org/2016/02/17/middle-school-discipline-referrals/
Useful tips to help reduce discipline referrals at the middle school level
https://www.amle.org/BrowsebyTopic/WhatsNew/WNDet/TabId/270/ArtMID/888/ArticleID/129/Classroom-Management-Strategies-for-Difficult-Students.aspx
Promoting change by using methods to help build relationships with difficult students
http://www.nea.org/tools/10-approaches-to-better-discipline.html
The National Education Association website this links outlines ten tips that will help improve your approach to discipline.
http://supportiveschooldiscipline.org/learn/reference-guides/positive-approaches-school-discipline
National Clearinghouse on Supportive School Discipline website is a portal that provides link to websites and PDFs to effective discipline plans.
http://www.dailyteachingtools.com/classroom-behavior-management.html
Daily Teaching Tools website provides various free plans and downloads based on the CHAMPS management system.
Classroom discipline is something I take very serious because I feel that this is one of the major keys that will help maintain a productive learning environment. With that in mind my main focus will be prevention. What I will instill in the students is treat everyone with respect and treat other how you would like to be treated. I will have a very limited number of rules for the students to follow because the less I have the easier it will be for them to remember. The first rule is be prepared for class when the bell rings. The second rule no passes until after instruction and none five minutes before the period ends. The third rule is respect everyone and if a dispute comes up it will be settle in an adult manner you will be asked to make a choice that I offer at the time. Last no throwing items or trash basketball. If students violate any rules that are considered high risk in the student handbook then administration will be asked to handle then manner.
The reward system will be simple will be able to earn homework passes on an individual basis. For the entire class rewards like free days, music days, movie days, and choice your next lesson will be offered on weekly and quarterly basis. I try not to focus to much on rewards because if over done students will do work seeking reward versus learning for knowledge and enjoyment. Parents will be offered a chance to engage in the learning process by volunteering to help in the class, invited as guess to talk about their careers, culture, business, etc. Parents will be provided with all forms of contact to me including, school and cell number, district email address, teachers blog and a interactive apps available on iTunes and Google Play that I’m developing for my first year teaching it will include features like alerting them when their child has done a good deal, if they are in class and reminder to bring homework at let then know a unit has been complete so they can ask them how they performed. This way parent will have access to me and if this is too much tech then they can come see me in person before and after school. With my colleagues I plan to work closely with my grade team and subject team everything from seeing if a certain student is living up to expectations are how they deal with them to get them to work in their class so I can try and apply the technique in my room. With the administrators just having then make periodic appearances in the class and sit ins to give advice will help improve the environment of my class. My idea situation would be to build a team that looks out for the overall interest of the students. I don’t believe in having a lot of rules I want to keep it simple so I can focus on creating a positive learning environment.
Portfolio Item H
I had a chance to interview both a teacher and a building administrator on how they would implement discipline and was surprised that they were on the far end of the spectrum from each other. The teacher believed that all issues needed to be worked out in the classroom and if it couldn’t be resolved then the parents needed to be involved. For some reason the teacher did not want to involve administration and hasn’t sent a kid to detention in the last three years. Her method was to give the student a warning if they didn’t behave. The next step was talk to the student one on one if the student did not correct the behavior then they were sent away to a buddy room. If the student still was having issues the next day then this prompted a call to the parents or guardian to attempt to correct the unwanted behavior. Only when then parents couldn’t deal with the issue the teacher then would involve administration. The building administrator who happened to be the head principle believe that he should only be involved if the student committed a level three offense which endangers classmates, there appears to be some type of abuse a student has suffered at home and when the student becomes totally disruptive that it affects his classmate and they don’t want to listen to the teachers. He was of the belief that as a teacher you are a manager too and most discipline matters should be handled at a classroom level. The teacher while she followed his guidance she didn’t want to deal with administration at all cost even when she should go to administration before going to the parents.
Portfolio Item I Classroom Discipline Web Resources
http://neatoday.org/2016/02/17/middle-school-discipline-referrals/
Useful tips to help reduce discipline referrals at the middle school level
https://www.amle.org/BrowsebyTopic/WhatsNew/WNDet/TabId/270/ArtMID/888/ArticleID/129/Classroom-Management-Strategies-for-Difficult-Students.aspx
Promoting change by using methods to help build relationships with difficult students
http://www.nea.org/tools/10-approaches-to-better-discipline.html
The National Education Association website this links outlines ten tips that will help improve your approach to discipline.
http://supportiveschooldiscipline.org/learn/reference-guides/positive-approaches-school-discipline
National Clearinghouse on Supportive School Discipline website is a portal that provides link to websites and PDFs to effective discipline plans.
http://www.dailyteachingtools.com/classroom-behavior-management.html
Daily Teaching Tools website provides various free plans and downloads based on the CHAMPS management system.
Portfolio Item K