Procedures in the Classroom

     Teachers need to have procedures set in place in order to help the class run smoothly.  As I've been observing I've noticed several things that have helped the classroom run smoothly.  From day one Mrs. N has let her students know what she expects from them. 
     For example, when students move from one center to another she expects them to do so quietly.  When the students move quietly she praises them.  When they don't, she asks them to go back and try it again.  This helps immensely with the noise level and with students getting to where they need to be quickly and efficiently. 
     Mrs. N also tells them to give her "Five".  They are to have their eyes on her, be ready and be quiet.  She puts her back to the room and gives them a chance to get ready.  They never know when she will turn around but they know to be ready when she does!  Each student has a chart on their desk and can earn stamps for good behavior.  When the chart is filled up the students can get a prize from the treasure chest.  This helps greatly with classroom management and getting the students ready to learn.

Actively Engaging Students

     As I've been observing and helping out in different classroom I've really enjoyed seeing how teachers engage their students.  I've especially been impressed with the first grade teacher I've been observing.  Every morning she has students sit on the rug and together they read a message she has put on the white board.  The message has spelling and punctuation errors which she asks students to help her fix.  The kids love this activity and are always eager to help out.

     After the morning message, she asks for good news.  She calls on 3-4 students to share any good news.  It can be anything from what they ate for dinner the night before, to a vacation they just returned from.  After those few students have shared with the class their good news, she asks the rest of the students to turn to a neighbor and they have to take turns telling each other their good news.  I have been so impressed with this tactic.  All the students are able to participate and they know that their teacher cares enough for them to allow them this time to talk about what's happening in their lives.  I would like to implement this activity when I become a teacher!

The most challenging role a teacher plays

     I think the most challenging role a teacher plays is that of disciplinarian.  A teacher has to keep order in the classroom.  This is challenging to do with 20+ students in a class.  A teacher needs a set of rules and consequences for the class to follow in order to keep control of the classroom and stay in charge. 
     This can be difficult to do especially with students who come from homes without rules and structure.  Most students learn quickly and are eager to obey and do the right thing.  There are a few students who are unwilling to conform to the rules of the classroom.  This can be a huge challenge for the teacher.  One student can disrupt an entire class and prevent learning from taking place. 
     From my observations sometimes a teacher needs to have a set of more specific and individualized rules for certain students.  This is hard because sometimes this detracts from the learning of other students.  I have seen this happen and think that would be the most challenging and frustrating thing for me to face if I were the teacher.