Classroom management is something that has to be enforced with routine and a balance of discipline and praise. This is something I learned more about in the field than at any other time. Although methods can be taught in classes, it can only truly be developed in the field, and fine tuned from there.
As a future band and English teacher I will be teaching in both conventional and non-conventional classrooms. Although a band room or drama room look entirely different from an English classroom, the same basic principals can be applied. I will create a classroom environment that implements the following rules:
1) Students do not speak, play or interrupt when a teacher or a fellow student is addressing the class. This includes answering/asking questions and participating in discussion.
2) Electronic devices can only be used when permission is given, and never during silent reading time.
3) Students may not wander around the classroom to talk to friends.
4) Students should not make a habit of having to leave the classroom for any reason.
5) Everyone and everything is to be treated with respect. Leave things better than the way you found them.
6) Do not touch things that are not yours without permission.
There are reasons for all of these rules. Many of them were rules I wish I could have implemented during my pre-internship. Rule one is very important in a band setting. If students play or speak over a students questions/comments or the teachers instruction/comments then many people in the class will not be able to hear. Further, other students will begin to play and talk and the noise will increase. This is also an important rule for any class for the same reasons.
The second rule would have less of a place in a band setting because the students hands are usually kept busy. However, it is important as well because instructions may be missed if a student is not paying attention. This rule is more important in a typical class setting. Too many students are pre-occupied by their phones and iPods and they don't listen to instruction. This also distracts both the student using the device and other students, making it difficult for them to contribute to any discussion. Reading is in decline, and the reading of books is in further decline. Students should read every day in an English class. There should be no need for cell phones at this time because there should be a large collection of books in the classroom/school. Students should start a novel if they don't have one, or read the newspaper. There are times when cell phones are needed such as when a student needs to make a reminder, put something in a calendar or use a calculator. This should be encouraged.
The fourth rule is important in a band setting. Often times band class is during lunch hour or before or after school. If it is at lunch hour the students need time to eat before class. Because this time is taken from the period there is limited time to get things done. If students are habitually forgetting music/instruments, needing to use the washroom, etc. this makes it difficult to teach. A band is different from a regular class because it is an ensemble; a team. All members are required to be present to rehearse to the full potential. When students get up and leave in the middle of class it is disruptive to everyone involved. This is why this rule is important in both traditional and non-traditional classrooms.
Respect is something that students are showing less of. It may still be there, but it would seem as though it doesn't exist anymore. Students have moved to gentle teasing to bullying their own friends. Even if this is tolerable between friends it encourages poor behavior from other people. Students should must respect one another in the classroom at all times. They must also show respect to those not present. A insult or rude comment made about someone who isn't in the room is still offensive. Respect must also be given to the objects in the room. Furniture, books and equipment are expensive. These things will last longer if treated properly, leaving funds to be better spent. Often times people are in a hurry and don't treat things properly. We should always try to leave things better for the next person because they may not have time to fix their own mistakes, much less the previous persons.
Students do not have permission to touch things that are not theirs. This is particularly important in a band room. Many items in the band room cost thousands of dollars. Students do not have an extensive knowledge of all of the instruments in the band room, therefore they do not know how to handle the instruments that are not theirs. This is especially true for percussion instruments which can cost tens of thousands of dollars. The safest way to keep things safe is by staying away from them. Most of the time when instruments are wrecked it is an accident, but accidents can't happen to instruments if we don't touch them. Of course there are times when things need to be moved or people need help.
These are the rules I wish I could have implemented and enforced during my pre-internship. I'm sure there are more that I will come up with over time and with experience. Although I think some of these rules are a little harsh I've learned it is important to take a stand from the beginning to ensure that you are not walked all over. I hope these rules will create a strong and assertive environment, full of respect and appreciation.
I really wish we had spent more time on this in class. I think it is a good assignment because it forces us to articulate how we want to approach things. Going into the pre-internship I didn't do this. I thought I would have the co-op to help, or that I would be able to handle it on the fly. This was not the case. I think that more time spent on sharing and developing classroom management tactics in class would be helpful. Even though it would be unrealistic to practice them in class, having a sharing circle, lecture or conversation about these tactics would have been helpful.
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