Students feel safe and secure when there is a set of classroom routines. Please reflect upon what classroom routines your cooperating teacher uses in the classroom.
What are the established procedures in the classroom such as attendance, beginning class, ending class, clean up, etc? What is the physical arrangement of the classroom, tables, desks, positioning, etc? How does the teacher transition the students from one activity to another? Reflect upon the classroom routines - Are the routines providing a positive, safe, and secure plan to ensure student learning? do you agree with the routines that the techer uses? Why or why not?
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My host teacher begins every class period going over the schedule for the day and the assignments that are due that week. Throughout the class period, however, the teacher seems to jump from one area to another with no particular order or transition. I was very suprised at the speracticness of the routine because she started off in a logical manner.
ReplyDeleteShe allowed the students to get up constantly, which seemed a little distracating to me.
The desks are set up in a positive manner, tilted slightly towards the center of the room but facing the board with the teacher desk in the back.
The classroom has one big, green chalkboard and one big whiteboard. The students desks are facing the whiteboard in rows of four desks, there are five rows, so there are twenty desks. Which have nameplates that are very colorful with each students name on their own desk. The classroom is very colorful and lively. With Bible verses posted on the walls, the alphabet posted above thwe whiteboard and a "Word Wall" on the chalkboard. There is a big round clock and a calender. Behind the children's desk are three computers and two file cabinets with each different subject posted on different drawers.
ReplyDeleteTo transition the students the teacher goes to get them, lines them up and walks them back to the classrom, waits for everyone to sit in their seat and starts the lesson.
Everyday in the morning at the beginning of the school day, the 8th grade comes on the intercom and leads the school in prayer from a prayer book the whole school has and they say the pledge of allegiance. They got to chapel twice a week, once as a whole school and once as the whole 3rd grade. The children have cubies that contain their folders from each subject they learn. When they come back to the class from a specific area, for example computer, they are required to go put their folder in their cubby and sit in their seats.
Ally I also think it is intersting that your teacher changes things up a little bit for the students.
ReplyDeleteTraneika, I really think it is good that the teacher seems to expect a lot of the children in their behavior. Coming from different home situations, a strict but safe and enjoyable environment is productive.
ReplyDeleteThe established procedures that my teacher uses is at the beginning of class, is that the students get five minutes to dress out. Once they dress out, they line up in five lines alphabetically in the gym. Mr. Bouslog takes attendance via the computor. They have a computor based policy so the administration can get on and see where people are with regards to attendance. With regars to ending the class and clean up, the teacher stops class ten minutes before the bell to allow students to shower if needed or get ready for their next class. He tells them to stop what they are doing, and pick up what is next to them. Once everything is picked up he allows them to head to the locker room. The physical arrangement of the gym is set up before class starts. The teacher and I set up the activity for that given day. The setting varies because it is a PE class, so one week they play one sport or activity and it changes the next. He transitions one activity to the next, by taking steps the first couple days. He will teach them strategies on how to perform the activities, and practice cues, before letting them play as a whole. I think these routines do promote a positive and safe learnin environment because the students know what to do everyday and what to expect from the teacher. Also he doesn't just throw them directly into a activity and grade them, he transitions them in the beginning by teaching them skills, than allows them to play. I totally agree with his arrangement and structure of the class, he is in totall control and never throws surprises at his students. They know what to expect, and seem to respect him for that.
ReplyDeleteAlly, I find the arrangement of the students desk very thoughtfull, and smart. By tilting the dest inward, allows the teacher to teach in the middle of the class for everyone to see. This promotes a positive learning environment, and allows kids to learn in a different manner. I would also find it very distracting as a shadow, or a student if the teacher didn't have a set routine, and class rules. Personally I have a difficult time learning with alot of movement or distractions going on during a lesson. I think the teacher needs to implement punishments for students that just get up and walk around during class, this seems very distracting.
ReplyDeletein a preschool class this is very important and they try and stick to doing the same thing so the kids get into healthy habits. the kids know in their day what goes next and if something changes you get a million questions why are we not doing this why didn't we do this. starting a routine at an early age teaches organization and time management. the kids know center time recess and lunch and nap they know when everything is and what to expect. for them being so young and having simple things like washing their hands after they come inside everytime they just go staright to the bathroom with out being told. i think its important and is used in my class.
ReplyDeleteya ally i think the desk set up like that is pretty cool. my class is just 3 tables with little chairs and a big carpet area were mainly all the teaching goes on so your teachers is kind of trying to make it like that but for older kids. and did you think maybe she allows those kids to get up when they want because they might have ADD of ADHD and sitting for long times is hard for them?
ReplyDeletekirstina, i thought about that, but after i observed today again, it was very similar. it almost scares me how little content i have observed being taught.
ReplyDeletewell I am observing in a first grade classroom so the plans tend to change quite often but the teacher usually gives everyone a chance to settle down and then goes on to explain what is going to be happening for the next few hours. She doesn't give the entire days plans at once, because it is kind of a lot for a 7 yr old to digest. By giving the kids some info they feel like the know whats going on, and they really seem to like that. The classroom is set up with all the desks sort of in the center, in small clusters. The kids are with a group so they can converse and ask each other questions. I think the environment provides structure and safety. I agree with what the teacher does. She keeps the students focused and on task with her methods.
ReplyDeleteally, I agree with you on that being kind of distracting. I would be more worried about what everyone was doing than what the teacher was saying.
ReplyDeleteI am in a preschool classroom and they have the same routine every day. It is like this because the teacher is trying to prepare them for kindergarten where they will be expected to be able to follow a routine. They start with about 45 minutes of free play time where they can play with any of the toys in the classroom, then the teacher turns off the lights where the class "freezes" and turns on a clean up song and the kids have to get the whole room cleaned up and sit on the rainbow carpet before the song is over. Once every one is on the carpet usually the teacher reads a story or sings songs to help them get some energy out and focus on the rest of the day. After this they usually play outside and then come in for snack. After snack is small group time and there are usually three different groups that help the students learn. The teacher transitions really well between each activity and always explains to the class exactly what they will be doing.
ReplyDeleteThe room is set up with 3 small tables with chairs and a rainbow carpet with a rocking chair in front for the teacher. The students have lockers outside the classroom where they keep their snack and jackets and whatever else they bring to school with them.
Kylie I like the way your classroom is set up so it gives the kids opportunities to talk with each other when appropriate. They can really learn a lot from each other. I think it could be a problem if kids start talking when they aren't supposed to and I think the desks being in a cluster could be problematic because the kids will be inclined to always talk to their neighbor.
ReplyDeleteAndrew - Sounds like you are observing a very good PE teacher. It is imperative when teaching PE that your students know what to expect. Typically PE classes can be large in size and can quickly get out of control due to the nature of the class. What does the teacher do when a student doesn't dress out? Do the students lose points? Do they have to participate anyway?
ReplyDeleteKristina - I REALLY like that you posed a question for Ally. It shows me you are reading and processing what others are writing. And you are thinking it through and expressing when you have a suggestion or a question - keep up the good work.
Ally - I am so glad that you took note of what little amount of content was covered today. Was it a teacher issue or a student issue? Were the students struggling with some things so the teacher had to go slower or did the teacher simply not push the students today?
I am going out of town tomorrow and will not be back until Sunday so I may not be able to post again - but know that I will be reading everyone's comments Monday morning. Get both of your posts in by Sunday night at midnight.
I am observing in a high school speech class and the majority of the students are seniors. I was actually a part of this class last year so its weird to be back on the other side of things, but its also a very cool experience. The layout of the classroom is pretty simple, there are a few posters on the wall and there is a smart board mounted on the whiteboard towards the front of the room. The desks are arranged facing the front of the room and the teacher's desk is to the right of the whiteboard. There is also a bulletin board that has a class calander on it, which is where students can find their make up work if needed. The daily routine is pretty consistant. Class always starts out with attendance and then the teacher goes over the class agenda posted on the smart board. It ususally takes about five minutes to get the class to settle down and get into routine. After going over the agenda, the teacher starts her lesson. I feel these routines are very effectiive and work well for all students.
ReplyDeleteKristina and Sarah both talked about establishing a routine in the classroom at an early age (preschool) to prepare the students for upcoming grade levels. I agree that this is very important.
ReplyDeleteI agree with my teacher's routines. He starts off the class by letting everybody find thier seats. They position themselves wherever they need to be, whether it be jazz band, ochestra, or begining band, the students know where they belong. He then proceeds to take attendance. After attendance is taken care of, he has the band work on whatever songs need work until the end of the period, when the students pack up thier instruments and leave.
ReplyDeleteI like what Sarah's teacher does with her students. This teachers class is very organized, but my favorite thing about it is how she ends playtime. She turns off the lights, and the students know that playtime is over, its time to learn.
ReplyDeleteI will begin doing my official observations this coming week. The teacher I am observing is one that I got to know pretty well last year along with a few others that work closely with her. I liked the way her class was set up. She had the desks set up in small groups of 4. Her desk was on the side of the classroom closest to the door in view of all. It had a table next to it for supplies that might be needed for activities, or papers to turn in at the beginning of the day, etc. Each child had a "mail box" for graded papers and other things, those mail boxes and computer were off to the opposite side of the class as the desks. Each week a the schedule was given with possible incentives if all was done well and with good behavior, also with subs, etc. At the end of the day, agenda books were gone through, all desks were cleared, each group was called to get mail, and chairs were placed on desks. Each student knew what to expect with the schedule. When she was teaching or talking at all to her class, she went up front. She involved her class as much as she could and had them work in the groups that they were set up in. I look forward to going back and learning more from her and those she works with.
ReplyDeleteSarah and Kristina, I like your descriptions of the classes you are observing. The teachers seem to be well organized with their schedules. I agree with the comment that Sarah made about preschool preparing students for kindergarten. The behaviors learned and being able to follow directions are necessary.
ReplyDeleteAlly, I think it would really bother me as a student if I were trying to learn and other kids were walking around a lot. It may not be ADHD, but just that the students are sensing the disconnection with the flow of the class. I had a great child psychologist tell me that he observed in a 4th grade class that the teacher set the timer for 20 min. When the timer went off, the class stood up, stretched, jumped, moved (all doing the same thing) and then sat and resumed the lesson. The behavior was great. It worked for this teacher, it might work for others as well.
ReplyDeleteI think some of the things that teachers go over in class are important such as the schedule and the attendence definitely has a major effect on how a student preforms. But knowning what the student has to put his effort towards by showing schedules on the board or having them write them down is a major part of how they should be organized and praticipate in these activities when they should.
ReplyDeleteBut I think the class room should be set up in Isles there for the teacher can walk in between easy to get out and so that the teacher has his or her control amoung the classroom enviornment. I think the most important thing in the classroom is to keep the students attention and keeping them busy in a way to were they have enough to do. but communication is necessary to a certain extent at a certain time and its one of the most important things a student will learn through the years of different teachers and how people take rules and how there class should be structured.
ReplyDeleteI think what sarah's cooperating teacher does with her preschool kids is very cool and effective. Having elements like turning off the lights and the rainbow carpet can be quite effective with kids that age.
ReplyDeleteI will finally start my practicum until this coming week, but I do remember a class I observed in a high school while I was on a trip to Guatemala. This was a small school mainly for international students, so the classes consisted of 10 or 15 kids the most and the teachers was free to decorate their classrooms whatever way they referred. My favorite class was their Spanish class. The teacher had decorated her classroom in a way that made it look and feel like a home. The desks were set up around the class in a sort of half circular way, all facing the center of the room towards the board. Their routine consisted basically in waiting for everyone to find their seats and getting out their books. Then, the teacher would write out on the board the announcements for the day and whatever activities she had planned out. It was quite an interactive class(felt like elementary to me almost), very different from what I was used to in my high school. The teacher would have someone read the announcements and they would all, as a class discuss them. Then they would read together and discuss the reading. That day they were supposed to act out a part of the book they were reading so everyone went to put on their costumes and then returned to class to act their scenes out. Everyone seemed to enjoy the class and they were very involved in the discussion of the book. I think the way the teacher taught the class was really nice and it was indeed effective.
ReplyDeleteIn the class I'm observing the teacher is a P.E. teacher. He allowed the students about 7 minutest to dress out. When they are finished they all go by the door and wait and before they head to the gym he takes attendance. He also marks who is dressing out as well. After he takes attendance by hand he puts it into the computer. Then we head to the gym and the students jog around the gym for 5 minutes. After this they do a dynamic warm-up. The class was in the middle of a soccer unit and they knew that since it was raining they would be playing what is called line soccer. When they were done with their stretching he numbered them off into four different teams, and they began to play. Mr. Horn really seemed to have everything in order and did a good job of getting the students into a routine. He didn't have to tell them what to do next; they seemed to know what was coming and what was expected. It made for an easy transition into the game. They understand the faster they do what is expected, the more game time they will have. I most definately agree with what Mr. Horn does. He has the class under control and ready to learn at all times. It was a really productive expererience for the students.
ReplyDeleteAndrew was the P.E. class you observed an all boys class or did they mix girls and boys in it? In the class room I observed it was all boys, and I know when I was in school they always mixed the girls and boys in one class.
ReplyDeleteI will start my observations this week, but I will talk about my experience been a soccer coach. I remember that all my coaches talked in front of the players and facing the sun... because they said that doesnt matter if they cannot see the players very well, but its matter if the players cannot be focused in the conversation because of the sun.
ReplyDeleteI think that classroom rutines are important in order to prepare students to be focused in the class... they have to know that is time to learn...
I am agree with John Saxon because if you have routines students now what is next... and that is helpful when the teacher have to teach a new lesson...
ReplyDeleteThe teacher I am observing first warms up the students in his choir class. then he goes over announcements. Since its in the choir room, all the students just sit in choir formation and therefore have no set up/clean up. however, the teacher sometimes has the students come outside their comfort zone and stand in a circle closer to each other and him so that they can hear each other better and thus sing with better tonality. so I guess I think that taking students out of their comfort zone occasionally, to learn something new and that will help them provide better music is definitely a must. And in middle school, I think the kids do well adapting to that.
ReplyDeletein response to kylie's comments.... yeah I definitely think its not as important to let younger kids know whats going on the whole class period because they for one will forget it and if they do remember then they will continually ask questions about the next thing they are supposed to do. older kids however, can handle the whole class periods' activities I think and so its not as big as a deal.
ReplyDeleteThe teacher I am observing is constantly rearraning the room to suit the different groups. He told me jokingly that half the work of being a music teacher/band director is setting up and taking down the room. At the beginning of class the students are to get their instruments out quickly. They're allowed to talk so long as they are ready to go soon after entering the room. As far as routine goes, he usually begins by telling them to take out one of their pieces or opening their method books. If it's the former, he will usually rehearse the parts of the song that need going over. If it's the latter, he will proceed to teach them new techniques as they work through the book's exercises. Attendence is important, but bringing one's instrument is even more so, especially for the beginning students. No matter what they're doing, he always makes sure that the students understand what they're doing and why.
ReplyDeleteIn response to Laura, I think that the choir teacher's idea is a good one. It is very important to hear each other in order to sing as a group. Plus, singing with their peers in such a manner might help to diminish nervousness as time goes by.
ReplyDeleteI haven't observed my teacher yet due to lacrosse. So, like V lonchuk, i will also talk about my time as a lacrosse captain. Our coach would always be late to practice because of his other job. My other captains and I would have to make sure to start on time, get two laps, 5 lines of stretching, and then straight into ball drills. I think this experience has helped shape me as a leader.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the general consensus that having a routine is important. Having a routine allows students to get comfortable with their peers and their environment.
ReplyDeleteIt is so fun for me to read what you guys are experiencing or have experienced in your classrooms. Reflect in your journals how you feel about the classroom routines. Do they work? Will you use them? Why will you use them?
ReplyDeleteYou guys keep bringing up clear classroom routines and procedures that the students seem to know quite well. I wish you could have observed your teacher the first week of school. You would have been able to watch him/her establish these routines. It doesn't happen magically. The teacher has to make the expectations clear and then follow up with consequences when students do not do what is expected. It is just like this blog. I had to make the expectations clear and then I had to follow through with consequences.
I hope you guys have a great week! Keep up the good work:-)
the class i have bein observing has many of the same daily routines .. the teacher takes roll and then starts the lesson. the arrangement of the room is a simple basic style with all the desk set up in rows... i was actually surprised by the way the students acted in this school. i was also surprised the way the teacher treated the students. there was alot of disrespect to my belief
ReplyDeletejack i definatly agree with you
ReplyDeleteMy Psychology teacher passes out the attendance sheet at the beginning of class and reminds us not to sign in for anyone who is absent that day or else there will be consequences. All the desks face towards the teacher's desk and the projector screen. Everything the teacher does is pretty safe and secure. She has her rules set at the beginning of the school year and she sticks by them, so that's pretty good.
ReplyDeleteTo Laura. I've never been in choir but what that teacher is doing seems like a good idea.
ReplyDeleteMy host teacher had everyone in their seats by the second bell, and on the first day I was there people were watching a short movie. The desks are in a good set up with a group of chairs on one side of the room with another set on the other side so that everyone can see the whole room.
ReplyDeleteMy host teacher did all the routine things except for one class that was a Home Room.
Mrs. Bishop-It was not due to any student issue; the absence of material being taught in the classroom continues. She is wonderful at teaching students how to become organized, but I just fear the students will not be prepared for high school. I am observing a different level than what I want to teach, so I wonder if I am just noticing a different focus than content because it is a younger grade level.
ReplyDeleteMy teacher has her class room set up with six pods with about 4-5 desks in each of them. In the middle of the pods is a cart with all of the supplies the students might need throughout the day such as scissors, rulers, markers, etc. The teachers desk is in the back corner of the room, while her work desk is in the front corner of the room. This work desk is where she has reading groups and meetings with the students. She also has more room to grade papers and organize activities here. The teacher transitions from one subject to the next by telling the students about how much time they will have left to work on their activity.
ReplyDeleteThere is a good learning environment in this classroom. The teacher is very positive towards the students and their progress throughout the class.