Knowing the Classroom Essay EDUC 323 Instruction Strategies Dr. B.

Hicks Latycia Milton February 8, 2013

The Orangeburg Consolidated School District Fives school, Robert E. Howard Middle, home of the Baby Burins has a vision to build a world class school and a mission where Robert E. Howard Middle School is to ensure academic success for all students. There are three components in this paper that I will discuss, organization of teaching, arrangement of the classroom, and the behavior management procedures. It is essential for teacher to keep their classrooms organized to maintain a well ordered classroom. Organization creates less stress and makes teaching more effective. Ms. Knorrs classroom seems to be very organized. There is an area designated for filing paperwork, a display wall for students work, and wall to encourage students to behave appropriate for class. Ms. Knorrs classroom has advantage of having a smart board. The beginning of her classes begins with the homework review, where she uses the smart board to work out the problems the students found to be more challenging and difficult. After completing the homework review, the students were assigned an independent practice to be completed and turned in on page one hundred and seventy three in their workbooks, that are kept in the classroom at all times. When it came time to hand out the students homework assignment, the teacher had a personal computer and printer where she was able to print out their assignment which was to be turned in the next class visit. At Robert E. Howard Middle School, it is the teachers responsibility to issue textbooks and workbooks. The only access that students have to enhancing their education is bringing their own paper and pencil to take notes and complete assignments. I feel as if not being able to have your own textbook or workbook to take home is stunting the student ability to enhance their learning outside of the classroom. I must note that the teacher time management was not enforced with authority. Once a given time was issued out for the amount of time the students

had to complete their assignment the time increased each time as it got closer to the cut off time; the students were not finished because of the talking and playing and pleaded for more time. However, even though the time management is not well managed, the classroom arrangement is exceedingly organized. Ms. Knorrs classroom is arranged specifically for her students. The desks are spilt up in three columns with females on one side and males on the other. There is enough space in between each seat and row where the students are not as big of a distraction to each other. Along the classroom, there are several posters and vocabulary words that are inclusive to the students learning. Formulas are always posted for the students use, as well as the grading scale and the behavioral consequences and expectations. Between the smart board and the students seats, there is enough space where every child in the room can see the board with no complications. The teachers desk is located in the back of the classroom at an angle where she is able to take notes and see everything going in the classroom. As it is important for teachers to have great classroom arrangement, it is imperative for the teacher and classroom to have working behavioral management system. Behavior management skills are a particular importance to teachers in the educational system; it is the focus of maintaining order. There are certain days in the classroom where the teacher is in charge and others where the students do whatever it is they desire. The beginning of her class begins the same each day. She stands outside of the door to kindly greet and welcome the students in the classroom. At the closure of her lecture, she reviews what is due the next class visit as the students pack up their belongings. They are not to move until the bell rings and her approval for dismissal. Even though the students have assigned seats, Ms. Knorr has to constantly reinforce that the student should remain in their seats. There is one technique that she

uses to which the students react very well to. In a case where the students are misbehaving and not paying attention to the lesson, she begins to count down and if the students do not respond in a well-mannered time they receive a grade of a zero for their daily conduct. There was one incident where the teacher caught her students copying each others work. Of course, they denoted that they were not copying, but she collected all the papers and asked how they came up with their answers. The students could not answer the question and received a grade of a zero for the assignment. I felt like she handled the situation very well. Although her student may be a bit rowdy throughout some point during the class periods, she has a way of calming them down, whether its counting down or giving them a few words of encouragement. There are seldom times where she had to speak of giving out a referral for student misbehavior. She has discovered a system that works with the whole class and some that works with students individually. In conclusion, there are three key areas that must be taken when knowing the classroom, the organization of teaching, the classroom arrangement, and the behavioral management. It is important to take advantage of the three components mentioned in order to have an effective classroom. In some cases, there may be times where all components are inadequate; however, it is important to have a system that works with your classroom to ensure that you know the classroom.