You will have students with different needs. It's important to pay attention to each student and make sure the learning environment is suitable for everyone.
I like the idea of putting students in smaller groups.
"All ambiguous behavior is interpreted negatively." Such a powerful quote from the Harvard professor. I'll be sure to remember this forever, and to keep it top of mind during my teaching work, so that I can avoid having an unintentionally negative impact on my students.
I have learned that there are a wide variety of challenging students. There are also a wide variety of options as to how to deal with these types of students. Center Stage Students for instance can be given "Use it Wisely" cards to help them think about the importance of their question or comment before they say it and waste that card for the class. The inattentive student seems to be the most popular in the groups of students that I have had the opportunity to observe. The strategies to divert their attention from playing on the phone or having side conversations are genius. I like the idea of flipping the seating arrangements as well as putting them in groups to encourage their contributions to the classwork. Minute papers are wonderful ideas to help with managing challenging students as well. The Apple Polishing Student is the type of student I saw when I was in class as a student and they really annoyed me because I felt that my professors were being taken in but I see now that they truly were not and this type of student did not get away with less work than I after all. I will employ any of these strategies that apply and search out other strategies as needed should I have a term in which I need to address a challenging student.
sometimes you have to give center stage students a job so that others may learn
There are a wide variety of students who may not be ideal, but being prepared for these types of students is best.
This was a great section, I learned a lot about student engagement.
I have quit a few students that I have to constantly redirect so that focus and absorb the content. I also listen to them at times when they just need a brain break for a few minutes. I have found that letting them take a 5-10 min brain break helps them to refocus and the rest of the class can finish listening to lecture without so many interruptions
Classes are made up of a variety of different behaviors and personalities, I learned different methods of engaging students with different behaviors.
This has been very informative, and has given me multiple ways to deal with all student types.
By setting the tempo of the class on the first day you may be able to rain in the high energy students and get some of the shy student to equal out. You need to guide the student into all working at the subject with equal enthusiasm.
I am looking forward to utilizing the 'Minute Papers' in my classroom. This will help students make connections in an inviting manner. I plan to use a ball as a talking stick to add some movement in the classroom.
What I took away from this section was that classroom management isn’t about controlling behaviors in your students it's about managing them and learning what works with different personality types
The tips and strategies for dealing with "center-stage" students and students who are struggling to stay engaged were very helpful!
I have had my fair share of students that fall asleep during lecture, and or do not pay attention. Yes, they could be missing out on sleep at home; however, I have had one-on-one talk with those students letting them know it is unacceptable behavior. When I notice a student is falling asleep or disengaged, I will walk by them and call on their name to answer a question. In addition, I have a student that is very immature and needs constant redirection. I have found it challenging, but I have managed to help him focus by using various teaching methods.
I like the idea of getting students invested in classroom management by using peer pressure to keep inattentive students from becoming a problem. Sometimes, encouragement or accountability from peers works .
The section on the polished apple was most interesting to me. I never thought of how they could manipulate first time teachers. I am guarded by industry but not by students. I have to keep my guard up.
I have learned center of attention students can be used a positive and not a negative. I will use their energy and always wanting to talk or be center stage when class is dragging or when the students began to get disengaged.
As a first year teacher I have learned different strategies for dealing with different types of student groups within my classroom.
It is important to spend time speaking and being attentive to all students (introverts and extroverts) to ensure they are feeling appreciated, empowered, and seen. This can energize them for success.
