Reflection Post 7

Description
This week's focus was on creating an effective learning environment through classroom management and engaging lessons.

Analysis
The first step to having an effective learning environment is to manage the time spent learning. There are many ways that time can be lost during instruction. In order to make the most of the time given for instruction, teachers must prevent wasted time, starting late, ending early,  and interruptions (Slavin, 2012). Teachers can also make the most of instruction by setting routine procedures, maintain a steady pace, and minimize discipline problems (Slavin, 2012). A key way to manage classroom behavior is set clear expectations starting at the beginning of the year. The best way to manage student behavior is to prevent misbehavior (Slavin, 2012). Other ways to manage behavior include nonverbal cues, praising correct behavior, verbal reminders, repeated reminders, and consequences (Slavin, 2012). Teachers should begin with the least amount of intervention and work up to consequences based on student behavior (Slavin, 2012).

Reflection 
This chapter was a great reminder/refresher for me. I am currently between school years and it was nice to reflect back on the things I am doing well and the things I need to work on next year. I believe that I do a good job of implementing routine procedures at the beginning of the year. I have started involving students in creating behavior expectations for our class. I believe that this has had a positive effect on encouraging students to meet the expectations because they had a voice in creating them. Reading through this chapter made me realize I need to be more consistent with consequences. Being honest with myself, I tend to be harsher with the consequences when I am stressed or upset. This is not fair to the students nor is it a good way to manage the behavior of my students. I have made progress with this using the 1-2-3 Magic method. This method takes the emotions out of discipline. Implementing this method has helped me to keep my emotions out of disciplining and to be fair to all students.

Reference:
Slavin, R. E. (2012). Educational psychology: Theory and practice (10th ed.).  Boston, MA: Pearson Education.