Classroom Management
Sonequa Reeves, M.Ed
sreevesids@gmail.com
216-359-1044
Course Description: When you want to know what to do or gain some new insights in the area of classroom management, you need to trust the source of the information. In the case of this course, the resource is both authoritative and reality-based. It clarifies both what to do, and how to do it, with ample examples and action steps. It reduces the stress that can result from seat-of-the-pants decision-making by revealing research-proven, humane and effective strategies.
This study guide questions help direct your focus and insights as you read the book. While the book is chock full of information, it is not one to read as a stand-alone, but the process of reading and reflecting on the ideas is a very satisfying learning experience. It would be worth reading for beginners as well as well-seasoned teachers, who are looking for finesse and validation for their already successful skills. A major premise of this book is that there is more time for effective classroom instruction when classroom management is smooth-running.
The authors are all outstanding contributors to the world of teaching expertise in practice. Robert Marzano is probably the foremost author of teacher training materials based on research in best practices and has produced a practical and trustworthy collection of ideas and insights for teachers of any level of experience looking for wisdom and effectiveness in classroom management.
Learning Outcomes:
- Learned the best practices based on over 100 studies.
- Learned ways to get off to a strong start.
- Learned how to present rules and procedures.
- Learned how to handle relationships for positive and disciplinary responses.
- Learned how to encourage student responsibility for self-management and self-control.
Required Text:
- Classroom Management That Works: Research-Based Strategies for Every Teacher by Robert J Marzano with Jana S Marzano and Debra J Pickering ISBN#0-87120-7931
- Classroom Management That Works ISBN# 0-87120-793-1 By Robert J Marzano
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Assignment #1: Introduction
- Using the Google Doc provided introduce yourself by describing your professional situation
- Reasons for being interested in this course
- What you expect to take away
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Assignment #2: Classroom Management
Read chapter 1: Then respond to the following questions:
- Explain why many feel classroom management is the “foundation” on which curriculum and instruction are built.
- How do effective instructional strategies and good curriculum design , in turn , influence classroom management?
- Are good classroom managers born or made?
- What type of training have you received in classroom management and what was most effective?
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Assignment #3: Rules & Procedures
Read Chapter 2: Then respond to the following questions.
- To what extent do you involve students in establishing rules and procedures?
- What might be some pitfalls to avoid when involving students?
- There are 6 areas for which rules & procedures might be established in Action Step 1. Rate yourself on how well you address each of these areas.
- In your school district which of these are most problematic?
- Is there an area where you need to build further interventions?
- What areas do you feel are the hardest to control?
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Assignment #4: Disciplinary Intervention
Read Chapter 3: Examine Figure 3.1. Read the explanation on pages 28-29.
- Do any of these surprise you?
- Why do you think an approach to discipline that includes a combination of recognition and reward in conjunction with consequences for inappropriate behavior seems to have the most positive effect on students’ behavior?
- In Figures 3.4 and 3.5, parents and students were asked to rank both negative and positive consequences according to their beliefs about the effectiveness of each. Notice the consequences that parents ranked as No. 1 and that students ranked as No. 2 in each of the figures. What does this suggest to classroom teachers?
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Assignment #5: Teacher - Student Relationships
Read Chapter 4:
- Action Steps 1 and 2 make specific recommendations for establishing both dominance and cooperation in your relationship with students. Reflect on how these recommendations describe you as a teacher, or describe other teachers with whom you are familiar.
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Assignment #6: Mental Set
Read Chapter 5:
- Mental Set” Marzano states that “withitness” can be taught. Looking at the action steps for “withitness,” what qualities constitute “withitness?”
- Why do you think it is difficult for teachers to learn how to be “withit” and “emotionally objective” in the classroom?
- The action steps in this chapter make very specific recommendations for developing emotional objectivity. As you read them, reflect on the extent to which you and others engage in these behaviors.
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Assignment #7: Student Responsibility
Read Chapter 6:
The Student’s Responsibility for Management” Some teachers report that when they use the types of strategies described in Action Steps 2 and 3, they typically use them early in the year. Which of the Action Steps seemed helpful to continue a focus on student responsibility through the year?
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Assignment #8: A Good Start
Read Chapter 7:
- “Getting Off to a Good Start” Action Step 1 stresses the importance of arranging and decorating your classroom in a way that supports a positive living environment. If you have seen examples of unique and effective classroom arrangements, or have demonstrated them yourself, describe how they seemed to promote a positive learning environment to get off to a good start. Describe the best methods you have used during those first days of school.
- Time is precious. When teachers feel the pressure of making sure they are teaching all that is required, they may not accept the advice in Action Step 3, which is to spend a good deal of time teaching and reinforcing classroom management. How would you explain to them reasons for spending time in this way? Provide an example of how you reinforce classroom management.
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Assignment #9: Summary
- In summary, what ideas or insights from the research information and/or action steps were of greatest interest and value to you?
- What surprises were there, and what validations were there for your own classroom management practices?
- What was an especially worthwhile idea or insight you found from the information from this book?
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