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What We Do Proactively
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Chapter 6: Holding Our Ground
This chapter relates to APS 8 Maintaining an Environment That Promotes Learning. An effective teacher creates and maintains a classroom environment that encourages and supports student learning. This chapter also relates to APS 9 Managing the Classroom. An effective teacher maximizes instruction time by efficiently managing student behavior, instructional routines and materials, and essential non-instructional tasks.
As this year has progressed, I have found that it is okay to say "no" to my students. I have become more comfortable saying "no" especially when a student is not following procedures. As Rick Smith ways, I have found ways to hold my ground in my classroom. In the beginning of the year, some of my students would ask to get water during class time. In the beginning, I would let them go. These transitions would create a distraction in the classroom. I have now started to tell my students "no". Before class begins, I have my students stop at the water fountain. If a students asks during class, I tell them "no". Since implementing this, I have found that my students are focusing in class and have learned that they do not need to get water in the middle of the lesson. I have found that saying "no" to my students has been empowering. In the beginning, I would feel a sense of guilt for saying no, but now I say no and hold my ground. After the initial start of saying no, my students have adjusted.
This chapter relates to APS 8 Maintaining an Environment That Promotes Learning. An effective teacher creates and maintains a classroom environment that encourages and supports student learning. This chapter also relates to APS 9 Managing the Classroom. An effective teacher maximizes instruction time by efficiently managing student behavior, instructional routines and materials, and essential non-instructional tasks.
As this year has progressed, I have found that it is okay to say "no" to my students. I have become more comfortable saying "no" especially when a student is not following procedures. As Rick Smith ways, I have found ways to hold my ground in my classroom. In the beginning of the year, some of my students would ask to get water during class time. In the beginning, I would let them go. These transitions would create a distraction in the classroom. I have now started to tell my students "no". Before class begins, I have my students stop at the water fountain. If a students asks during class, I tell them "no". Since implementing this, I have found that my students are focusing in class and have learned that they do not need to get water in the middle of the lesson. I have found that saying "no" to my students has been empowering. In the beginning, I would feel a sense of guilt for saying no, but now I say no and hold my ground. After the initial start of saying no, my students have adjusted.
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Chapter 7: Positive Connections
This chapter relates to APS 8 Maintaining an Environment That Promotes Learning. An effective teacher creates and maintains a classroom environment that encourages and supports student learning.
It is essential to make positive connections in the classroom. As a teacher, I know that my students will respond positively if I make the effort to learn about them and their lives. To continue to build connections in the classroom, I would like the students to build connections with each other as well. Somethings that I would like to do in my classroom to create positive connections would be to:
1. Have students complete questionnaires so that I can learn more about them and the students can learn more about each other. These questionnaires can become a great tool to get to know each other.
2. Have class meetings to discuss various issues that come up in the classrooms.
3. Invite students to create a section of the bulletin board that will showcase their classwork and their own personal cultures.
As Rick Smith states, "even simple options give student an added sense of participation and connections." I know as an educator if I give my students an opportunity to participate in class then they will feel a sense of belonging.
This chapter relates to APS 8 Maintaining an Environment That Promotes Learning. An effective teacher creates and maintains a classroom environment that encourages and supports student learning.
It is essential to make positive connections in the classroom. As a teacher, I know that my students will respond positively if I make the effort to learn about them and their lives. To continue to build connections in the classroom, I would like the students to build connections with each other as well. Somethings that I would like to do in my classroom to create positive connections would be to:
1. Have students complete questionnaires so that I can learn more about them and the students can learn more about each other. These questionnaires can become a great tool to get to know each other.
2. Have class meetings to discuss various issues that come up in the classrooms.
3. Invite students to create a section of the bulletin board that will showcase their classwork and their own personal cultures.
As Rick Smith states, "even simple options give student an added sense of participation and connections." I know as an educator if I give my students an opportunity to participate in class then they will feel a sense of belonging.
![Picture](/uploads/8/7/5/3/87539078/editor/classroom-spots-2.jpg?1492203914)
Chapter 8: Teaching Procedures
This chapter relates to APS 1 Long Range Planning: The teacher plans appropriate procedures for managing the classroom.
When reading chapter 8, I read that spending time on procedures actually helps to facilitate teaching the content. I started the school year, by modeling the procedures with my students as we experienced them. I would explicitly say and show them how they need to gather classroom materials, enter and leave the classroom, and complete their classwork. I found that by modeling, I helped my English language learners learn the procedures quickly. Throughout the year, I found it was effective to review these procedures and add to them. I still need to review the procedures, but I feel that my focus on them in the beginning of the year helped my classroom management this year.
This chapter relates to APS 1 Long Range Planning: The teacher plans appropriate procedures for managing the classroom.
When reading chapter 8, I read that spending time on procedures actually helps to facilitate teaching the content. I started the school year, by modeling the procedures with my students as we experienced them. I would explicitly say and show them how they need to gather classroom materials, enter and leave the classroom, and complete their classwork. I found that by modeling, I helped my English language learners learn the procedures quickly. Throughout the year, I found it was effective to review these procedures and add to them. I still need to review the procedures, but I feel that my focus on them in the beginning of the year helped my classroom management this year.
![Picture](/uploads/8/7/5/3/87539078/published/behavior-chart-page-2.jpg?1492204101)
Chapter 9: Consistency
This chapter relates to APS 8 Maintaining an Environment That Promotes Learning.
An effective teacher creates and maintains a classroom environment that encourages and supports student learning.
When a student argues with me I feel frustrated. Many of my students will argue with me about simple things in the classroom. A common argument revolves around taking turns in the classroom.
Externally I respond by trying to ignore the student. Like Rick Smith says, I try to not take the bait. If the behavior continues then I will respond by correcting the student by looking at them in a specific way. If the student does not respond to the expression, I will have the student move their clip on the chart.
Internally I respond by asking myself why the students are arguing. I reflect on my directions to see if I was unclear.
As I teacher, I find that I need to work on my consistency when requiring my students to raise their hands. I find that sometimes, I allow my quieter students to call out, simply because I am excited that they are answering. I need to work on this procedure with all of my students. I would like to try the idea of talking chips. I would give each student a talking chip and then the students can deposit their talking chips when they decide to talk. This way all of my students will have the chance to participate.
This chapter relates to APS 8 Maintaining an Environment That Promotes Learning.
An effective teacher creates and maintains a classroom environment that encourages and supports student learning.
When a student argues with me I feel frustrated. Many of my students will argue with me about simple things in the classroom. A common argument revolves around taking turns in the classroom.
Externally I respond by trying to ignore the student. Like Rick Smith says, I try to not take the bait. If the behavior continues then I will respond by correcting the student by looking at them in a specific way. If the student does not respond to the expression, I will have the student move their clip on the chart.
Internally I respond by asking myself why the students are arguing. I reflect on my directions to see if I was unclear.
As I teacher, I find that I need to work on my consistency when requiring my students to raise their hands. I find that sometimes, I allow my quieter students to call out, simply because I am excited that they are answering. I need to work on this procedure with all of my students. I would like to try the idea of talking chips. I would give each student a talking chip and then the students can deposit their talking chips when they decide to talk. This way all of my students will have the chance to participate.
![Picture](/uploads/8/7/5/3/87539078/editor/interview-sheet.jpeg?250)
Chapter 10: Getting Ready
This chapter relates to APS 5 Using Instructional Strategies to Facilitate Learning. 5.A The teacher uses appropriate instructional strategies. 5.B The teacher uses a variety of instructional strategies.
At the beginning of the semester, I had my students complete an interview sheet about themselves. From reading chapter 10, I found that an ice breaker activity like this can help build community during the first few days of school. I found that this activity allowed me to learn more about my students. Each student needed to complete an interview sheet about him or her self. When each student completed the interview sheet, they introduced themselves to a partner. Then the partners introduced each other to the class. Through this activity, I learned not only the activities and favorites of my students but I was also able to observe their listening skills, speaking skills, and overall confidence in the classroom. I have used the information that I have learned through the interview sheets while planning lessons for my students. I have tried to incorporate a part of their home cultures or favorite activities into each of our lessons. I have found that by doing this, I keep my students engaged during class time. I have also found that the students appreciate it when I remember something from their interview sheet. Using the interview sheets have strengthens the bond and community in my classroom.
This chapter relates to APS 5 Using Instructional Strategies to Facilitate Learning. 5.A The teacher uses appropriate instructional strategies. 5.B The teacher uses a variety of instructional strategies.
At the beginning of the semester, I had my students complete an interview sheet about themselves. From reading chapter 10, I found that an ice breaker activity like this can help build community during the first few days of school. I found that this activity allowed me to learn more about my students. Each student needed to complete an interview sheet about him or her self. When each student completed the interview sheet, they introduced themselves to a partner. Then the partners introduced each other to the class. Through this activity, I learned not only the activities and favorites of my students but I was also able to observe their listening skills, speaking skills, and overall confidence in the classroom. I have used the information that I have learned through the interview sheets while planning lessons for my students. I have tried to incorporate a part of their home cultures or favorite activities into each of our lessons. I have found that by doing this, I keep my students engaged during class time. I have also found that the students appreciate it when I remember something from their interview sheet. Using the interview sheets have strengthens the bond and community in my classroom.
Chapter 11: Lesson Design
This chapter relates to APS 2: Short Range Planning of Instruction
I prepare lessons for my students that will reinforce their new English language skills and the content skills they need to learn in 3rd grade. I include activities that will engage my students and will keep them motivated to learn. I try to include each of my students' unique heritages to my lessons as well. When preparing my lessons, I make sure that my lessons follow a similar format from week to week. I have found that my keeping my lessons in a similar format, my students know what to expect next. This routine has helped me to establish procedures and enforce the classroom rules.
This chapter relates to APS 2: Short Range Planning of Instruction
I prepare lessons for my students that will reinforce their new English language skills and the content skills they need to learn in 3rd grade. I include activities that will engage my students and will keep them motivated to learn. I try to include each of my students' unique heritages to my lessons as well. When preparing my lessons, I make sure that my lessons follow a similar format from week to week. I have found that my keeping my lessons in a similar format, my students know what to expect next. This routine has helped me to establish procedures and enforce the classroom rules.