Lauren Frisone              

Nov 3, 2013

EDC 90              

Prof. Kates

Proper Classroom Management is Essential for an Elementary School Class

                                               Reading Response #3:

This sort of writing style is Narrative style and is used in the article Proper Classroom Management is Essential for an Effective Elementary School Classroom. The author of this article tells us she is a student teacher. The purpose of the author writing the paper was to educate new teachers and inspire veteran teachers the importance of keeping a organized classroom with tips of classroom management. In agreement to Cotter's statement "It is necessary to teach children the reasoning behind appropriate behavior. These are life lessons and values. A set of rules simply cannot teach children the deeper meaning behind their actions. It is in the best interest of the students to learn and practice these morals and ethical values." (Cotter) Classroom management is particularly important in all aspects of having a successful learning environment and it is purposeful for a teacher to set the foundation for the children in that whats the genuine reward of behaving properly in a classroom and in their everyday life. This will give the children a foundation that they can see the entire picture of a situation not just a positive and negative reinforcements of behavior. The children will be able to use these values throughout their lives, also setting the attitude of a prosperous learning atmosphere. " When catching a fish for someone that doesn't know how to fish, rather teach the person how to catch the fish" is more beneficial long term, because you are teaching and demonstrating life long strategies to solve problems and how to respect others.

        When Cotter refers to the "traffic light" "Classroom attic in for management in a classroom that she had assisted in, where eve child in the class starts off with a green card but if misbehaved the card changes to yellow or red. This does NOT help their confidence nor motivation, but leaves them ashamed and embarrassed most of the time." (Cotter) This approach Cotter has mentioned is similar to the approach taken in my class of 1st graders by my cooperating teacher now.  I have seen students who were acting inappropriately or misbehaving and the teacher has asked them to move their card from green to yellow to red. Now, when my cooperating teacher ask them to change their color card, it is usually in-front of the entire class and she will state the situation on why he needed to change the card, though there is now deeper meaning of the scenario and the child is still not learning from the situation or why he was switching colors, he was just directed too. Thats why throughout the day that same child's card will usually land eventually on red. The child has not learned from any of the problematic situations they he had been punished for. Therefore he has not learned from the problem and will continuously misbehave.

     In my own classroom management I will demonstrate on the initial day of class, a list of class rules and let the children know the consequences if not followed. I would also like to let the children know that during any situation there will always be a way to solve the problem positively rather than punishment. The child's reward entirely will consist of a positive learning experience for the classroom, such as hands-on learning activities, which are enjoyable for the students and have educational benefits than a teacher directed atmosphere. Just by managing your classroom can benefit all aspects of the classroom for the teachers and students and follow through in all areas of the whole learning experience.