Teacher Duties:
On February 13th, I observed Mrs. Worthen’s first grade classroom while they had a bathroom and water break. She had just finished reading a story and the children seemed antsy so she asked the class so silently push in their chairs and line up at the door.
Like any school, it is important for the students to remain silent in the hall to not be disruptive to the other classes who are trying to learn. Luckily, the bathroom is located right next to Mrs. Worthen’s classroom. She asked me to allow 4 to 6 at a time enter the bathroom. This is a good idea to only allow a few in at a time so that they will not try to act up as much. Entering in groups for about 1 minute each, allowed the students enough time to get done what they needed to and then returns back in line.
I also observed how Mrs. Worthen likes to make sure the students feel like they have some power and control. In doing so, she creates responsibilities for the students to have charge of. There is an assigned line leader, door closer, and name taker. In order to withhold these responsibilities, you have to earn them by behaving well. This is a great incentive for the students because it promotes good behavior and examples responsibility.
I did, however, find it very surprising that Mrs. Worthen was able to excuse herself to the teachers’ restroom while her class was using the restroom or lined up in the hall. I am sure, that it took a lot of reinforcing and practice to be able to trust the students to not act up or goof around. Also, with me being there, supervising and leading them did influence their behavior. I think it is a risky decision, but it can lead to positive outcomes for your students. It gives them a chance to prove that they can be well behaved. Some teachers walking down the hall can commit and praise them.
I hope that when I am a teacher I will be able to have students who adapt to routines and do not act up. Implementing good behavior leads to a successful and well behaved class. Allowing a few students at a time to have control and freedom also creates a situation of responsibility. When the roles of the students are switched, they then know how important it is to act well.
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I can't believe a first grade teacher has a class that is so well disciplined, especially in the hall way. I'm not sure what it is about the bathroom but students, especially boys, ALWAYS seem to want to act up there. It's like they are saying "I'm free, I'm free" the second they are out of their normal classroom. Your teacher must be a good one if she trust them alone in the hallway during that time. I think it's a good practice; it teachers your students responsibility and shows that she trusts them.
ReplyDeleteDeveloping routines and rules is very important to classroom management. It is amazing to see the differenc between an organzied class, and an unorganized class. When students are familiar with specific routines and teacher expectations, their behavior tends to be much better overall. I hope that my class will be set up just as structured! I believe in having fun, but not without discipline.
ReplyDeleteI am in a first grade classroom too, and I love it. The teacher I am observing, Mr. Bowen, has excellent classroom management skills. His students are so well behaved! He promoted such a great learning environment through the rules he implements. I hope that I can manage my classroom as well as Mr. B does!
ReplyDeleteThe fast that the teacher trusts her class enough to leave them is great. When I was in the 1st grade I know I would not act up just because I would worry about the teachers reaction. Her students obviously respect her and her decision to let them take a break especially since they were antsy. Incentives of leadership roles are by far one of the best classroom management tools I have heard. Your teacher obviously knows what she is doing.
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