ENG521 Official Handouts

Topic- 001: “Introduction to classroom management”

Classroom management is a very important part of the professional development of teachers. A teachers’ duty is not only to teach the class but also to handle the management issues in classroom for effective teaching and learning process.

In this lecture, the following topics of classroom management are discussed:

Elements of classroom management Classroom management approaches and strategies Models of classroom management Teacher’s role in classroom management Classroom management and the curriculum Discipline Bullying and social-emotional learning

Topic – 002: Definition of classroom management:

Classroom management embodies:

Effective teaching of content (classroom management problems arises because a teacher is sometimes not sure of what she is teaching) Powerful teaching strategies (It is extremely important to use effective teaching strategies so that less classroom management problems arise. Sometimes, the problems in classroom arises because teacher do not know the teaching strategies) An organizational structure to support productive learning (the sitting arrangement of classroom, are students sitting in rows or groups?) Effective use of social-emotional domains of learning The most successful teachers approach management as a process of establishing and maintaining effective learning environments

Topic – 003: Key elements of classroom management:

1. School wide discipline through curriculum: classroom discipline is not possible without school wide discipline, so it is very important to make classroom management a part of curriculum.
2. Classroom discipline: Both the teacher and students must know how to behave in classroom environment. Schools discipline is such element which the teachers must teach the students at the very start of their schooling. It is only possible through curriculum and school wide discipline.
3. Classroom based rules: Classroom discipline is made through classroom rules. There are certain rules for both students and the teachers to follow in classroom. We have ti had some boundaries and we need to respect the rules in order to learn in the classroom.
4. Identification of needs of students: It is very important for the teacher to identify the needs of the students. Management issues in classroom arise because sometimes teacher do not know the student needs. Teacher must know students interests and their individual needs. It is very important for the teacher to have age appropriate and need based rules in classroom so that students can follow them easily.
5. Involvement of major stakeholders: All stakeholders who are involved in the education of a student must be made aware of the phenomenon of classroom management. The major stakeholders are students themselves, teacher, parents, school administration, principals, coordinators, classroom community.

6. Importance to social-emotional learning

Q7. Physical seating in the classroom: Are students sitting in rows, groups or pairs?

8. Role modeling by teachers and caregivers: Students learn from the teachers so it is important to have proper behaviors in the classroom so both the teachers and the students have good reputation.

Topic – 004: Curriculum and classroom management:

There is a deep link between curriculum and classroom management. In order to have effective management, this has to be integrated in the curriculum.

Curriculum:

Curriculum basically is a plan of action for the entire school. The curriculum consists of the ongoing experiences of children under the guidance of the school. It represents a special environment for helping children achieve self realization through active participation within the school.

The link between curriculum and classroom:

Classroom management needs a school wide commitment. This commitment can only come through an active integration of classroom management principles within the school curricula.

It is very important to prefer classroom management when the classroom objectives and goals are planned. So that both the teacher and students come to know that classroom management is a vital organ of the classroom proceedings. It has to be communicated through the lesson plans, teacher behavior, setting up appropriate rules in the classroom. School wide commitment involves all the stakeholders i.e. students themselves, teacher, parents, school administration, principals, coordinators, classroom community etc who determines that without classroom management, lesson planning and teaching is not possible.

It is important to integrate classroom management with school curricula because without this the effective classroom handling is not possible. All stakeholders must realize the importance of classroom management.

Topic – 005: Classroom management and the hidden curriculum:

Hidden curriculum is that part of the curriculum that while not written will certainly be learnt by the students. It is all the messages the school sends about:

What is important What behaviours are appropriate (what behaviour must be manifested in classroom and which is strictly prohibited? Not only in the classroom but also outside the classroom. Behaviours are very important that is why these are conveyed through the hidden curriculum without being actively spoken by the teachers.) Who is valued through a variety of more quiet communications? (Hidden curriculum is mainly communicated through values and norms that a school already has. It is also communicated through the behaviour patterns of teachers, principals, administrators and other senior students) Appropriate behaviour Expected code of conduct Adherence to core values and norms should be actively demonstrated throughout school without being preached and should be part of the school culture.

So it is important for the school community to show appropriate behaviours so that students can learn them and same behaviours must be portrayed in classroom so that less management problems arise.

Topic – 006: Social emotional learning and classroom management:

There are four important dimensions for teaching that a teacher must consider:

1. Content knowledge
2. Pedagogical knowledge
3. Classroom management
4. Social emotional management