TPE 2: Creating and Maintaining Effective Environments for Student Learning
My Classroom Management Notebook and my Classroom Management Letter demonstrate a clear and thoughtful analysis of my growth in TPE 2 by exemplifying how I will use the social-psychological classroom management style to create and maintain a safe and engaging learning environment for all my students. Through my coursework in ITL 606 and TED 626, I have been inspired by how other teachers so eloquently navigate their lessons and behavior interventions. Additionally, I have developed my “inter-inspire” perspective because having stronger classroom management gives me more time to form relationships with my students, thereby inspiring them to be the best versions of themselves that they can be.
Welcome Back to School Letter
Welcome to Ms. August’s 8th Grade Science Class!
Hello parents/guardians of my 8th grade science students. I am writing this letter to inform you of my classroom management approach and provide a list of the major classroom procedures I will be enforcing in my classroom this year. I will do my best to be transparent in order for you to understand the logic behind my choices as well as to ensure that my expectations are clear as we move into the 2018-2019 school year.
4 Approaches to Classroom Management
There are four major approaches to classroom management: Behavioral, Cognitive, Humanist, and Social-Psychological. The Behavioral approach incorporates reinforcement techniques such as a name on a raffle ticket to encourage a specific behavior; at the end of the week the teacher would draw a set number of names and reward those students with things like a homework pass or an extra quiz point. The Cognitive approach relies on student reasoning and reflection in order to asses his/her behaviors. For example, the student would use self-talk to correct any misbehaviors. The Humanist approach concentrates on developing students’ self-concept. This would help them view their strengths and weaknesses with a growth mindset. Lastly, the Social- Psychological approach emphasizes the importance of social skills in order for students to better manage their own learning environments (Huit, 2017).
Why I Utilize the Social- Psychological Approach
As an 8th grade teacher, I primarily utilize the Social- Psychological approach because I believe it is my duty to prepare your middle school students for the next academic chapter in their lives: high school. In order to be successful in high school, students need to be able to navigate most classroom conflicts with their peers on their own as well as be able to take ownership of their learning. To prepare your students to do this, I will act as a facilitator to transition them to be more independent in navigating conflict-resolution strategies. In doing so, they will learn to hold themselves and their classmates accountable for their words and their actions.
How I Implement the Social- Psychological Approach
To implement the Social- Psychological approach, I will follow a series of steps. First, I will have a class discussion about the importance of setting rules and expectations in the classroom. Second, I will have students collaborate in groups to decide what five rules will be most effective in our classroom this year. This will ensure all students are involved in creating a safe and supportive learning environment as well as encourage appropriate collaboration techniques from the start. Next, we will come together as a class to discuss what each group has decided. After we have all voted and agreed on the five most appropriate rules for our classroom, I will have students reflect on what did and did not go well in their group conversations. We will utilize this reflection technique throughout the school year in order to promote accountability and help students understand how best to work through disagreements in a group atmosphere (Sanford Inspire Program, 2018).
Modifications for Students with IEPs, 504 Plans, or Other Learning Factors
For English Learners (EL) and students with IEPs or 504 plans, I will provide more direct assistance with conflict-resolution strategies. While I will maintain a similar activity and conversation structure as discussed above, for the students who need more direct instruction, I will provide specific feedback to ensure they are growing in their understanding of how to appropriately navigate conflict in the classroom. Additionally, I will slowly put more control in the students to resolve their own conflicts as I transition from being a direct support to more of a facilitator, as appropriate.
Closing Words
I look forward to helping your students cultivate a growth mindset where they take ownership of their learning and feel empowered by the learning process. Again, welcome to 8th grade science, and I cannot wait to work with your students!
References
Huit, W. (2017). Educational Psychology Interactive. Edpsycinteractive.org. Retrieved from http://edpsycinteractive.org/
Sanford Inspire Program Learning Library – High-quality professional development modules for teachers. (2018). Modules.sanfordinspire.org. Retrieved from https://modules.sanfordinspire.org/
Classroom Resource Brochure
