CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT FOR 6th GRADE
A. Moore's EDM 510 Blog
Hello and welcome to my blog! This blog is intended for a practice exercise for EDM 510.
As of right now, my goal when I am finished with school is to become a 6th grade math teacher. To get some experience, I became a substitute teacher and made it my full time job during the year. Usually, I try to sub in middle schools and I try to get into 6th grade classrooms. I also try to come up with lesson plans and teach students if I can.
My main concern is classroom management. Discipline in the school system is NOT like it used to be, and I feel as if students can get away with anything. Teachers keep telling me that it will be different when I have my own classroom, and I hope this is true.
My question to you is, what are some effective classroom management strategies for middle school students that you use in your classroom or that you plan to use?
As of right now, my goal when I am finished with school is to become a 6th grade math teacher. To get some experience, I became a substitute teacher and made it my full time job during the year. Usually, I try to sub in middle schools and I try to get into 6th grade classrooms. I also try to come up with lesson plans and teach students if I can.
My main concern is classroom management. Discipline in the school system is NOT like it used to be, and I feel as if students can get away with anything. Teachers keep telling me that it will be different when I have my own classroom, and I hope this is true.
My question to you is, what are some effective classroom management strategies for middle school students that you use in your classroom or that you plan to use?
This is a great post. I actually just did my practicum work in a 6th grade classroom at Burns Middle School. I learned some great new classroom management techniques that worked great with the middle school students. One technique that I found very interesting was when the students would start to get to loud, the teacher would turn off the lights. This technique would signal to them that they were getting to loud, and it became a warning, then next they would get a privilege taken away. Another effective classroom management strategy I observed was when the teacher would have bell work on the board every morning. This would let the students know that when they came into the classroom it was time to get to work. This strategy prevented them from coming in and talking and getting off topic. I thought these were some very effective classroom management techniques.
ReplyDeleteMary,
DeleteI also did my practicum at Burns as well! I think that these are some great tips for classroom management. I really like the bell work idea, and I think just about every teacher has some type of work for students to complete when they walk in. I also remember a teacher telling me to stay consistent with my rules and procedures. With all the stress that comes along with being a teacher, it is easy to put your rules and procedures on the back burner. I hope that I can stay consistent so I will as much instructional time as possible.
I just did my Practicum in a 6th grade math class. Many students aren't a big fan of math but the teacher I observed did a great job of managing her classroom. I think a major thing is making sure the students know you are in charge. My teacher was stern with her students and made it a point to show her students she was in charge. While I was at the middle school, I also observed another classroom. This teacher wasn't as stern and was more "friendly" with her students. They viewed her as more of a friend and this caused her classroom to get out of hand many times. The students did not respect her and didn't listen when she asked them to be quiet. I think you have to make sure you show the students you are boss and not try to be their friend. Once this is established, the students will love you anyways.
ReplyDeleteChelsea,
DeleteI really like your advice! I also observed a classroom once where the teacher acted more like their "friend" and I felt as if the teacher spent more time fussing with students than teaching. When I become a teacher, I do not want to waste instructional time with something that I could get a handle on at the beginning of the year. I want to be able to find that middle ground where the students will respect me, but yet not be afraid to come to me if they need to. I will definitely keep what you said in mind!
I'm not going to lie to you, I have never been in a 6th grade classroom as a teacher! I always said that I don't want to go about 4th grade. I'm thankful for people like you! :) I would say that effective classroom management would include making sure you let them know that you are the teacher from day one. I have a feeling that a sixth grader could run over teachers easily. Never let them have down time and they should be fine!
ReplyDeleteMelanie,
DeleteI have been in many middle school classrooms, and it is really tough! However, I feel like 6th grade is the right grade for me after being a substitute. I know middle school is a really weird age for students, but I feel like I would do great with them. You make a great point when you say to not let them have down time. I hope I can keep them engaged in whatever subject I end up teaching.