Smooth Sailing

Everyone knows that smooth sailing is the only way to go. Just like the conditions out on the water will create this optimal experience, so do the conditions in our classrooms. In the classroom these optimal conditions are prepared in the form of classroom management. Classroom management is the management of time, materials, students and planning or preparations. Children/students thrive in an environment that is consistent and structured. This is exactly why the success of the teacher AND the students is so heavily reliant on classroom management. The students need to have a clear direction for what is expected and when. When a teacher effectively communicates their expectations and is consistent in delivering consequences, the students will quickly learn to govern their own choices.

The classroom I am observing is not only esthetically pleasing but impeccably organized! It is obvious that the teacher has spent countless hours to set up a classroom that will experience smooth sailing. This is not to say that there won't be some choppy water occasionally, but when that happens the teacher can quickly navigate the issue and return to smooth waters. One of my favorite strategies she uses is when the students are transitioning she will say something like I want everyone on the rug in 2 jack and jills. Then she will sing the nursery rhyme twice while the students scurry to the put their things away and sit on the rug. Another amazing strategy she uses is to clearly post what centers they are doing and when. The students also have a routine that they do each morning while they wait for announcements to begin. These students know exactly what is expected and so consequently the classroom functions beautifully.

Strategies For Engaging Students

Engagement strategies in the classroom are key to the functioning and success of your class. Because the class I am observing has many challenges involving learning delays, the teacher must have a variety of methods to actively engage all of her students. During center time the students are divided into groups. Generally speaking the groups consist of the same students, rarely changing. The groups were identified by grouping students with similar strengths, weaknesses, and reading levels. As the students rotate through the centers, they will find some that are independent working centers, but others may be completing the activity together. The rotating through centers allows the students to change activities frequently and to participate in a variety of work that engages all types of learners. A classroom where there isn't engaged learning can be frustrating and discouraging for the teacher and it is less than desirable or productive for the students.

A teacher must be proactive in creating a classroom that has an atmosphere conducive to active engagement. This is where creating an emotionally and intellectually safe classroom are important. Students need to feel safe and comfortable with their learning environment. When they feel safe they are more likely to engage in the learning process. Encouraging students to use positive feedback rather than things like shut up or laughing at another students response will help to create this safe learning environment. Teachers need to be aware of what their students are doing and how they are responding to different learning strategies. They will observe how their students respond and then adapt the environment accordingly. Every class is going to be different and a teacher must be willing to be flexible.

The Most Important Role of a Teacher: JUGGLER

A teacher has so many roles. Some may seem more important than others, but I submit that the most important role that a teacher plays is a juggler. A teacher must be able to do many things at once without dropping the ball. Being a teacher is quite possibly the closest thing to being a mother, it requires 24/7 time and heart investments. A teacher rarely gets to leave their work at work. When it comes home with them, the work also becomes their family's work. I am not saying that other jobs don't have sacrifices similar, but I AM saying that being a teacher requires great sacrifice. The juggling act that a teacher does is emotional, mental, physical as well as social. Keeping all of these balls in motion requires great confidence, endurance, concentration, adaptability, and the list goes on and on.

Ultimately the most important part of this equation is the student. Every role a teacher plays is for the student. So the why to a juggling teacher is because each student is an individual with a unique personality, family life, cultural background, weaknesses, strengths, etc. A teacher needs to be able to quickly transition from one child's needs to another child's needs on demand. Meeting the needs of each student reaches far beyond teaching them the required curriculum. A teacher communicates with parents, resolves concerns between students and for parents, encourages students, is a peacemaker, a storyteller, a nurse, a continued learner, friend, role model, collaborator, and many other wonderful things. Happy juggling my teacher friends!

Managing Assessments: How Do Teachers Do It?

Teachers have a variety of responsibilities, but perhaps one of the most important would be assessments. When teachers consistently conduct assessments they are more fully capable of meeting the needs of each individual student. Depending on what is being assessed a teacher can determine what types of adjustments need to be made for an individual or how to cover a particular section better so that the class as a whole gains a better understanding of it. Humans in general need some form of assessing, it perpetuates improvement. When we are being assessed or assessing someone else we need to keep in mind that this is a way to improve, not simply to criticize. The task is ongoing and is never really completed. Considering this, we need to acknowledge the time constraint involved. Teachers are busy!!!

The classroom I am observing requires almost daily assessments. These cute first graders come from many backgrounds and many are ESL students. The standardized tests are nearly obsolete for these kids. They can't yet compete with other first graders who are performing at grade level. However, based on consistent assessments we know that these student have progressed by leaps and bounds. As a parent of elementary aged children I try to volunteer as often as possible. Many times I am asked to sit outside of the classroom performing portions of assessments with individual students. The classroom I am observing has technicians as well as parent helpers coming in throughout the day, and they too are handing many of the assessments. Consistent assessments are critical to the progression of any student, but in particular students with special needs. Teachers need all of the help they can get.