Classroom Management is not about control but, is the skills and techniques teachers use to keep students organized, attentive, productive and focused on the task at hand during class ( Great Schools Partnership,2014).
HOME INFLUENCE
Children's outlook and attitude on school comes from their environment and the attitude they learn from their families. "Research shows that parental involvement is directly related to children's academic success" ( Hill et al,2004;Hortacsu,1995). Studies were measured by parental involvement by how often parents attend parent/teacher meetings, assisted or participated with functions at the school ( Norfleet James, 2007,p.185). The presence of the Mother and Father can make a difference. Having male role models can help boys succeed in school. The Mother plays an important role as well " research has shown that the educational level of the mothers affected the school behavior and achievement of students more than did the educational level of the father" (Hortacsu, 1995).
Applications for the Classroom:
- Having male role models for boys it could be an older sibling (their brother), a coach from a sports team they are on, or older boys it can be someone at their job, etc. - Parents getting involved in their children's education and attending parent/ teacher meetings. (Norfleet James, 2007, p.188)
DISCIPLINE
The best classroom management plan is learner engagement. The more involved students are the less time they have to misbehave. It is providing a learning environment geared to the developmental level of students. Younger students seem to misbehave during lectures but, are involved in lab studies. Senior students are able to sit and take notes for longer periods of time, they just need time to discuss material. ( Norfleet James, 2007,p.189).
The best way to handle discipline is to say the rules very clearly and consistently apply them. It is recommended that there be no more than five rules for the classroom. If rules are long and complicated it becomes difficult to enforce them (Norfleet James,2007,p.189). Ex. "Must raise your hand to speak" "Respect everyone" etc.
FORMS OF DISCIPLINE
Time Out - may or may not work. Students are outside of class from classmates and friends. It may not work since the student can talk to people in the hallway, They may like being outside of the classroom and not getting their work done. They can misbehave to get sent out into the hallway.( Norfleet James,2007,p.192) Suspension- may not work for boys who do not enjoy school. ( Norfleet James,2007,p.192)
Applications for the Classroom:
- Have five clearly stated rules and consistently apply them. Let the boys have input on the rules, that way they are more likely to abide by them. - Comment on their good behavior since boys respond well to positive feedback. - Prepare the students for time out: -Review the rules. - If other students are in the hall on time out have the students face the way so it is more difficult for them to talk to one another. - Have worksheets prepared for the students to do in the hall, so they know if they are sent on time out they still have to do work and may not want to leave the classroom. (Norfleet James, 2007,p.193).
References: Norfleet James, A (2007). Teaching the Male Brain. How Boys Think, Feel and Learn in School. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin Press. Great Schools Partnership,2014. Classroom Management. Retrieved from http://edglossary.org/classroom-management/