Laura Peterson Education 1010-002 Dr. Ryan T.

Miller 4 November 2013 Chapter 10 Assignment Faced with the challenge of teaching the Maori children who possessed a great amount of energy, Sylvia Ashton-Warner described her dilemma between energy and learning, The spirit is so wild with the lid off. Im still learning how to let it fly and yet to discipline it. It still must have its range and wingit must still be free to dare the gale and sing, but its got to come home at the right time and nest in the right place. For the spirit to live its freest, the mind must acknowledge discipline (Ashton-Warner, 105) Ms. Ashton-Warners dilemma is clear, how to let the energy exist and instill enough discipline to bring order and learning to their energy. Many would say to completely squash it through ridged structure and others would advocate the students complete freedom to use their energy as they wish. Allowing childrens natural curiosity and energy to motivate their learning can be inspiring to both student and teacher when properly harnessed. The learning process is extended and enhanced through classroom management. Teaching respect, responsibility, and accountability helps to free each student to learn at their optimum, not just the core content but also how to work within a community, which involves both the student and their parents. Classroom management helps both the teacher and student by enhancing and extending learning in the classroom. When students are in a structured environment that has order and is safe, students are free to focus on learning. This shows that the teacher and the school are in control of the learning process (Kauchak, Eggen, 309). In Introduction to Teaching, the authors state, We create systems of rules and procedures because they help students develop a sense of personal responsibility for their actions. We emphasize respect and responsibility because they promote our students personal, social, and moral development. these techniques allow the student and the teacher to achieve their goals. In this type of community all students, high achievers, low achievers, and cultural minorities can learn more and reach their goals (Kauchak, Eggen, 309). To create a community in the classroom I would start with rules and procedures that help the students know what to do and when to do it. Posting a daily schedule takes away the mystery of what is going to happen today, with plenty of notice when the routine changes. Some procedures I would implement are; when you get to school, put your homework folder into the basket to be checked, raise your hand and ask to go to the restroom then get the boys/girls pass, get a drink during transitions from one subject to another, line-up at the door when the class in going together somewhere; home, library, assembly or physical education for example. Put all homework into your homework folder; write down the homework onto your homenote when it is assigned. When getting ready to go home, gather finished work put it on the finished side of your

homework folder and put your folder into your backpack, get your coat and sit down and wait to be dismissed, then line-up at the door. Having a homenote that needs to be signed each day allows you to communicate with the parents each day about their child, and gives the parents away to write to you with concerns they have. Teaching respect, responsibility and accountability by setting clear rules and expectations, sets a foundation of learning inside a classroom. It is easier to know how to act, when I know what is expected from my actions. I learn that my actions have consequences both good and bad. It states in Introduction to Teaching, You can promote responsibility by talking about it, explicitly teaching it, and helping students understand the consequences for behaving irresponsibly (Kauchak, Eggen, 311). A set of six rules will help me achieve this understanding in my classroom. Rule one: Show respect, this teaches everyone has a place in my classroom, no matter what. Rule two: Work hard, this rule teaches that there is a time to work and a time to play. Both are important, but they should be done at the right time. Rule three: Be ready; youre not ready to learn if you dont have what you need. Rule four: Get it done, it is your responsibility to do all of your work, not your neighbors or your parents, brothers or sisters. Rule five: Its ok to fail, everyone will fail at some point in the learning process, what is important is to keep trying. This also ties into rule one. Nobody should be put down just because you made a mistake. The last rule is; Dream big and have fun! It is important to know that even when things are hard having a goal and having some fun in the process is just as important and the knowledge itself. None of these rules will mean anything without consequences. I will implement a classroom economy. Points will be given that can then be used to buy things that the student wants from the class store on Fridays. The points will be given when homework is returned, and on all finished work inside the classroom. And points will also be given throughout the day as a reward for good behavior. Once earned these points will not be taken away. If the rules are not followed the consequence will be a loss of time at recess. Five minutes loss of recess after the second infraction of the day, 10 minutes after the third and a call to parents after the fourth. This starts new each day so every student can have a great day following a bad day. Setting up my classroom so I can view each students desk from mine and they can see me. I would put the students together in pairs. That way they can learn to work next to another student without disturbing them and to have a partner when needed in work. Tables will be set up around the room to divide into small work groups. These groups can then move from table to table, having a different activity in each content area to bring a broad range of learning styles into play. This is how my mentor teacher Nancy McKee has set up her room. To bring about an enlarged since of community, I will write a letter of introduction to my class and myself. In this letter I will include a short survey on likes and dislikes of each child, what their interests are, who is their favorite movie character, what is their favorite food, color and activity etc.. I will also seek the parents support and offer helpful hints in getting homework done. I will include an envelope with postage on it to return before school starts. I will also send or give my disclosure statement within the first week of class. This statement will include all my phone numbers and when I am available to reach before and after school, along with my procedures and rules. Of course all this

requires a lot of planning. I will do this after school and on planning days if that is part of the school week, on short day. Having an efficient classroom is important to each student, their parents and to me as a teacher. Setting up rules and procedures helps achieve a since of safety and order where every student is valued and respected. Although it take a lot of work to get results it is important to plan and work through the rough patches. This way the learning experience is extended and enhanced. Respect, responsibility, and accountability will be supported with rules and procedures that will help each student learn their best. I have heard it said that teaching Kindergarten is like herding cats, and teaching Special Education is like herding butterflies. What a wonderful thing to spend each day with butterflies!

Ashton-Warner, S. Life in a Maori School. Teacher. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1986. 105. Print. Kauchak, D., and Eggen, P. Introduction to Teaching: Becoming a Professional. New Jersey: Pearson Education, 2014. 308-334. Print.