Maintaining an Effective Learning Climate

This course examines the strategies used in managing a positive classroom environment within the framework of today's diverse student population. Topics include models of discipline, establishing expectations and procedures, motivating students, parent communication, managing disruptive students, and materials management and record keeping. The course focuses on helping teacher candidates to develop an individual classroom management plan appropriate for their targeted grade levels and needs.

Topics and Objectives

Today's Classroom

• Analyze the causes of discipline issues and the roles that home, society, and school play.
• Describe the need for an organized classroom management plan based on grade level, teacher style, and the confines of today's classroom.
• Analyze the guiding principles of a proactive management plan.

Building Student Rapport

• Identify roadblocks to communication.
• Demonstrate communication skills that assist students in solving problems and making appropriate choices.
• Examine the importance of mutual respect in the classroom.

Establishing Classroom Expectations and Procedures

• Analyze reasons and methods for establishing classroom expectations and procedures according to purpose, age-appropriateness, and ease in implementation.
• Evaluate time management strategies, including transition time, distribution of materials, and the use of time limits to assist effectively in maintaining continuity within the classroom.

Professional Development

• Examine the importance of ongoing professional development in order to be aware of current research related to classroom management.

Models of Classroom Discipline

• Examine selected models of discipline.
• Analyze the relationship between positive expectations and positive behaviors.
• Examine the use of positive consequences and positive redirection.

Engaging Students in Learning through Encouragement, Motivation, and Self-Esteem

• Examine methods for involving students in the learning process.
• Analyze strategies to promote students' participation in the classroom.
• Describe strategies to enhance student responsibility and social development.
• Describe a physical environment that engages all students.
• Assess a variety of classroom environments for strengths and weaknesses.

Working with Parents

• Describe strategies to enhance cooperation between parents and teachers.
• Apply planning and communication skills in preparing for a parent/teacher/student conference.

Dealing with Disruptive and Off-Task Students

• Compare and contrast disruptive and non-disruptive off-task behaviors.
• Identify strategies to deal with disruptive and non-disruptive off-task behaviors.

Classroom Management Plan

• Develop a classroom management plan based on the principles outlined in the course.
• Identify technology that can assist in classroom management.

Materials Management and Record Keeping

• Compare and contrast systems of materials management and record keeping that assist in creating an effective learning climate for all students.

Relation of Instruction and Assessment to Classroom Management

• Analyze how short-term and long-term instructional planning fosters effective classroom management.
• Examine the importance of using student assessment to plan standards-based instruction that engages all students.
• Describe how the use of a variety of instructional strategies and resources addresses students' diverse needs.
• Utilize differentiated/Individualized instruction to create a classroom environment conducive to learning for all students.