Philosophy of Classroom Management Throughout my college career, I have had the honor to observe and work with many

wonderful teachers. I was able to watch how they taught and mange their classrooms. During my Senior One Internship I also took a class on classroom management. With these experiences, I have been able to create my own personal philosophy of classroom management. The theorists that I feel share my same beliefs of classroom management are William Glasser, Barbara Coloroso, and Harry and Rosemary Wong. I feel that I have William Glasser in my Philosophy because he believes in classroom misbehavior occurs when students are bored or frustrated by class expectations. I agree with this. I feel it is important to keep students engaged throughout the day. I will remember Glassers Choice Theory. Glasser states we cannot control anyones behavior except our own. Like Glasser, I believe that students should be motivated by what they like. As a teacher, I can guide the students to make the right decisions. When I write lessons I will think about the quality of the lesson not the quantity. I feel that a lesson that as substance on one specific topic is better than broad topics with little substance. To be able to teach quality, I must know my students. I need to be able to know what their likes and dislikes are. When I know my students, I will know what direction to take my lessons. For example, if my class does well with hands on activities I can implement those types of activities in my instruction. I would not want have a lot of lectures in my teaching because my students will be bored. Since my students are bored the likely hood of them misbehaving is greater. In my classroom, I will also use Glassers seven connecting habits. The seven connecting habits are caring, listening, supporting, contributing, encouraging, trusting, befriending. I will use these habits instead of the seven deadly habits. These habits are criticizing, blaming, complaining, nagging, threatening, punishing, and rewarding. I will avoid these habits. When I use these habits I become a boss teacher and I do not want to do that. I want

to be a lead teacher. A lead teacher is someone who guides the students and does not tell them what to do. I want the students to feel like have a safe place to learn. Another theorist that I believe is important to my philosophy is Barbra Coloroso. Coloroso believes that students take positive charge of ones life. I do not believe in punishment, but I do believe in good discipline. The principle of good discipline shows students what they have done wrong. Has a student assume ownership of the problem that has resulted. I will also use Colorosos Three Rs. The Rs are restitution, resolution, and reconciliation. Restitution does whatever you need to do to fix the damage caused by what has happened. Resolution identifies the problem and identifies solutions for the problem. Reconciliation lets the relationships between those involved in the misbehavior heal. There will be problems and conflicts in my classroom. There are steps that will be taken to solve the problem. There are six steps. These steps are identifying and define the problem, identifying several possible solutions, evaluating the options, choosing one of the options, making a plan, reflect upon the problem. Children will do the wrong thing. They will make mistakes. They are young and human. However, they have to take responsibility for their actions. If a boy hits another child, the boy must face the consequences. That is where the three Rs come into play. Coloroso always said that students must follow The Golden Rule. The fourth theorists that I will implement in my classroom specialize in rules, procedures, and routines. These theorists are Harry and Rosemary Wong. I have always been told that the very first day of class is when a teacher should start to teach his/her routines and procedures. That is what the Wongs stress in their book The First Days of School. I agree with the Wongs. I believe that if I start teaching my students the rules and routines on the first day of school I will have less problems in the classroom. The students will be able to know what I

expect from them. I will be what the Wongs call an effective teacher. I will spend the first two weeks teaching students the procedures and rules of the classroom. This leads to a better managed classroom. The rules that I will have in the classroom will be considered as expectation. I think that rules can be considered to be negative. I want the students to have a positive outlook of the classroom. Like the Wongs, I believe that both the teacher and the students have roles in the classroom. The roles of a teacher to the student are to treat the student with respect and care as an individual, to provide the student an orderly classroom environment, to provide the necessary discipline, to provide the appropriate motivation, and to teach you the required content. I believe that teachers should help students understand exactly what responsibilities the teacher and student will have throughout the year. There are also roles for the students to the teachers. These roles are to treat the teacher with respect and care as an individual, to attend classes regularly, to be cooperative and not disruptive, to study and do my work well, and to learn and master the required content. On the first day of class I will start the foundation of learning by teaching the students what is expected of them and tell them what is expected of me as their teacher. These theorists have helped me discover my own personal philosophy for my classroom management. I want my students to get the most out of being in my class. I want to provide a comfortable and safe in the classroom environment for my students and in life. My students will be engaged with activities everyday that they will be involved in. I will be a facilitator in my democratic classroom. They will know that their voice will be heard and not ignored. They will be able to make good choices in the classroom and life. They will become lifelong learners.