Domain 2 Classroom Management

How does this relate to the work you do in your classroom?

Since I have an exceptionally challenging group of students this year, this domain is very important to me. I have been working all year on devising a plan to help nourish a classroom that is respectful and free of behavior issues. I have also been working with a behavior specialist to help me think of new ways to manage this particular group of students. Let me explain a little farther: I have 5 extremely active students, along with 16 others who are feeding off the excitement, and one little quiet girl who doesn't quite fit into the group. Reading the article, the blog, and watching the video reinforced the conversation that I had with the behavior specialist just last week. It is helping me to realize that what worked before is not working now, and that I need to find a way to reach these students. It is not the students problem, it is mine.

I was very happy to read that the suggestion and ideas that I have discussed with the behavior specialist were validated in all three types of media that I observed. I need to not focus on the negative, treat all students equal, and respond to positive behavior. I am finding this to work quite well, as long as there is consistancy. This is the most challenging part. I am not sure if I am alone on this, but it is so easy to become involved in the lesson, reprimand a student, and forget to give praise.

I am also realizing that constantly calling out the bad behavior is definately reinforcement for that behavior to continue. The students thrive on whatever attention they can get. Lectures, detention, behavior plans, etc. do not seem to work. I found each article, video, and blog focusing on gettting rid of those types of management.

Since I am working on this domain in real time, I am finding that it will be very helpful to use this as my inquiry plan.