Classroom Environment & Discipline

It is my strong opinion that classroom environment and management affects students and their grades. If students are too overwhelmed with rules, they will either not remember each and every one and feel belittled once they are called out or, they may not even try to follow them since there are obviously too many to deal with. On the opposite end of the spectrum, however, no rules will result in the teacher being taken advantage of and sufficient learning cannot take place. As a class, we reviewed a video about classroom management and was told by the “host” that he only has three rules, one of which is “don’t be an idiot.” He also told us about how he makes sure that the students know he is in charge and can “unleash” a guy they would not want to know while allowing himself to be friendly with them. I feel like his management style is efficient. Classroom environment is also very important. If the room is dimly lit or dark and dreary, students may not feel welcome or engaged. This is why it is crucial to decorate (appropriately) around the class.

My ideal classroom would have all the desks arranged in a pattern in which everyone can look at each other pretty easily. I feel like this would make everyone seem equal and on the same page. It would also eliminate difficult paper passing. On top of all this, it would encourage discussion, which is what I want my class to focus on the most. There will be tests and projects but I feel like an open environment is welcoming and more people will be willing to open up and ask questions and learn. I found a picture online of a classroom layout that I could base my own classroom on, however I would make some slight changes. For example, I would want my desk as part of the pattern so that I can sit with them when I see fit and stand when I need to lecture or work on the board. The computer center would be where the Teacher’s desk is in the picture; and I would expand my reading and writing center into one big soft, cushiony, quiet place with enough room for all my diligent and hardworking students to relax in. I feel like giving them this place in the room where they can work on assignments will be a good reward system for when they do well in class. For example, at the end of the week, I could have a bit of “free time” (actually just time to read or work on assignments quietly) at the end of the class. Each of the students who participated and asked questions throughout the week would be allowed to sit back there with their peers and work on something together while lounging on a beanbag chair or carpet square. If I feel they are extra well behaved, they can listen to music as well. In addition to all of these ideas, I would want some super neat bookshelves and pop culture/inspirational posters hung around the classroom just to make it cheery. One thing that I’ve seen while doing observations, though I am not sure if I would ever do it for my own room, was hanging white Christmas lights around the room, producing a soft glow. This teacher used these lights instead of the lights for the room because she felt that those were too harsh. I like the idea, but I feel like it would be too much, or maybe just around the bookshelf or bulletin board. Who knows!? I could come up with so many other cool things before I get a job. But I think this is a good start.

Next, I would like to describe a classroom discipline situation that I’ve encountered. In high school, there was a girl who was mean to almost everyone—it’s who she is and what she does and everyone just accepted it, not that I know why. One day, she was in a bad mood and lashed out on the teacher when he asked her to stop talking to her seat neighbors.  He asked her to step outside and before he started lecture he went out to talk to her. I’m not sure why she was upset that day. When our teacher returned five minutes or so later, some of her friends asked where she was and if he had sent her to the principal’s office. He told us that he asked her to go to the guidance counselor to speak with her about why she was in a bad mood and left it at that. Then went into regular class activities for the day. I feel like this was a good way to handle it, though he should not have let her disrespect him. Other than though, I admire the way he handled it without getting upset at her in front of her friends and peers. Effective? I say yes.