Maintaining an organized and structured learning environment sets clear guidelines of what is acceptable
and unacceptable behavior in the classroom and what the consequences are for each behavior. It enables students to become
comfortable with the learning environment and gain confidence in their abilities faster, therefore increasing overall
achievement levels.
I have a better understanding of how to organize and manage the academic and social environment
of my classroom because I understand the different types of management more indepth, how each one relates and when to
appropriately apply each management style. I now have new ideas about how to set up a routine at the beginning
and end of the day and how to transfer power and responsibility to my students to help me maintain and manage the class as
a team.
I read Chapters 2 and 6 in "Classroom Management, Perspectives on the Social Curriculum"
(Powell, Richard R., H. James McLaughlin, Tom V. Savage and Stanley Zehm; 2001) and have written at least 2 research reports
on management and organization listed below. I discussed various issues related to classroom organization and management
with five classmates by reading and responding to their reports as well as discussing my report.
I read the article " What is the Long Term Goal of Classroom Management?" by Rheta DeVries to get a better idea of our responsibility
to students.
As a
result of my research, I have developed new opening activities for my students and an more organized transition from
the school day to end of school clean-up and responsibilites with great success. Students are more prepared for their
day of learning and leave every afternoon with a detailed action plan of what is expected of them nightly.
