Classroom Management
...rules that mentioned bathroom breaks. The rule that dealt with beginning and ending the day was basically to be prepared and ready to work. The students usually did very well with this rule and came prepared most of the time. The students knew what behavior was expected of them. They were to be kind, courteous, and respectful to their teacher and their fellow students. They were also to use group work time wisely and not fool around. There really were no rules or general procedures specific to my classroom. For example, the entire school had the same fire drill procedure. They had regular drills and every student in the school knew the same procedure for what to do if there is a fire. I think that the rules were very well outlined for this class. The only thing that I didn’t agree with was the policy regarding late work. I think that letting the students have such a long period of time to turn in work is time consuming and does nothing to help teach them responsibility. In my second classroom, things were a little bit different. The basic room use rules were the same. However, if they wanted to go to the bathroom, they didn’t have to stay after class. Also, there was a drinking fountain in the room, so if the students wanted a drink, they could get one during individual working time. The rules on individual work and teacher-led activities were a little different. Attention was very important, but participation was not graded. The students still were not allowed to talk if the teacher was talking. The policy on student work stated that it was to be done before it was time to go home. If it had not been completed by afternoon recess, the student had to stay in to finish their work. Transitions in and out of the room were the biggest difference between the classes. The students had a specific routine to follow both at the beginning and at the end of the day. Also, when getting ready to leave the room, they had to get into two lines and stand quietly with their arms folded. This procedure was the same for coming back to the classroom. The procedures for teacher led and small group instruction were basically the same as in the first class. Students were to be respectful and were reminded before going to their groups that it was not a time to play, but a time to work. The students knew what was expected of them. The general procedures for the class were much more abundant in this classroom. Although they still had the same fire drill as the rest of the school, they had different procedures for classroom helpers, playground activities, and interruptions. The teacher went over the procedures from time to time, so that the students would remember them. I think that while the two teacher...