Elementary Classroom Management : Lessons from Research and Practice

by Weinstein, Carol Simon; Mignano, Jr., Andrew

• ISBN13: 9780073010366
• ISBN10: 0073010367
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-05-11
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages

Summary

Stressing the need to build caring, supportive relationships with and among students, this trusted text offers research-based guidance on effective classroom management. It addresses current concerns about student motivation and helps prospective and beginning teachers develop a philosophy of classroom management that focuses on building connections with students and creating safe, caring classrooms.The text profiles five master teachers (grades K, 1, 3, 4 and 5) in very different school settings as they create classrooms that are orderly and productive, humane and caring. The integration of the thinking and the actual management practices of five real elementary teachers into discussions of research-based management principles prompts readers to connect theories with actual results. Further, the text demonstrates how real teachers can adapt to any circumstances--physical room constraints, curriculum requirements, challenging behaviors--and still be successful.

Author Biography

Andrew J. Mignano, Jr., is assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction for the Freehold Township Public Schools in Freehold Township, New Jersey. Carol Simon Weinstein is professor emerita in the Department of Learning and Teaching at Rutgers Graduate School of Education.

Table of Contents

Preface	xix
PART I INTRODUCTION	1	(30)
The Elementary Classroom Environment: Crowded, Complex, and Potentially Chaotic	2	(29)
Guiding Assumptions	6	(4)
Plan of the Book	10	(1)
Meeting the Teachers	10	(13)
Courtney Bell	10	(3)
Barbara Broggi	13	(2)
Garnetta Chain	15	(3)
Ken Kowalski	18	(2)
Viviana Love	20	(3)
What Do the Students Say?	23	(2)
Concluding Comments	25	(1)
Summary	26	(2)
Activities for Skill Building and Reflection	28	(1)
For Further Reading	28	(1)
Organizational Resources	29	(1)
References	29	(2)
PART II ESTABLISHING AN ENVIRONMENT FOR LEARNING	31	(170)
Designing the Physical Environment	32	(30)
Six Functions of the Classroom Setting	33	(15)
Security and Shelter	33	(3)
Social Contact	36	(5)
Symbolic Identification	41	(2)
Task Instrumentality	43	(1)
Pleasure	43	(1)
Practical Tips for: Arranging Your Classroom to Maximize Task Instrumentality	44	(1)
Growth	45	(2)
Practical Tips for: Designing a Literacy Center	47	(1)
The Teacher as Environmental Designer	48	(3)
Think about the Activities the Room Will Accommodate	49	(1)
Think about Whether the Children in Your Classroom Have Any Special Needs That Require Environmental Modifications	49	(1)
Draw a Floor Plan	50	(1)
Involve Students in Environmental Planning	50	(1)
Try the New Arrangement, Evaluate, and Redesign	51	(1)
Designing a Fourth-Grade Classroom	51	(3)
Concluding Comments	54	(1)
Summary	55	(1)
Activities for Skill Building and Reflection	56	(3)
For Further Reading	59	(1)
Organizational Resources	59	(1)
References	59	(3)
Setting the Tone: Building Safer, More Caring Classrooms	62	(37)
Ways of Showing Care and Respect	65	(17)
Be Welcoming	65	(1)
Be Sensitive to Children's Concerns	65	(2)
Be Fair	67	(1)
Be a Real Person (Not Just a Teacher)	68	(2)
Promote Autonomy by Sharing Responsibility	70	(1)
Reduce the Use of Extrinsic Control	71	(1)
Be Inclusive	72	(2)
Practical Tips for: Developing Cultural Literacy	74	(1)
Search for Students' Strengths	75	(1)
Develop Communication Skills	76	(5)
A Note about Touching	81	(1)
Building Caring Relationships among Students	82	(9)
Ask the Students	83	(1)
Hold Class Meetings	83	(2)
Model and Recognize Prosocial Behavior	85	(1)
Provide Opportunities for Students to Get to Know One Another	86	(1)
Curb Peer Harassment	87	(1)
Practical Tips for: Helping Your Students to Get Acquainted	88	(1)
Be Alert for Student-to-Student Sexual Harassment	89	(1)
Use Cooperative Learning Groups	90	(1)
Concluding Comments	91	(1)
Summary	92	(1)
Activities for Skill Building and Reflection	93	(1)
For Further Reading	94	(1)
Organizational Resources	94	(1)
References	95	(4)
Establishing Norms for Behavior	99	(27)
Research on Effective Classroom Management	100	(1)
Defining Your Expectations for Behavior	101	(7)
Planning Norms for General Conduct	102	(4)
Planning Routines for Specific Situations	106	(2)
The First Few Days of School: Teaching Students How to Behave	108	(13)
Teaching Norms for General Conduct	110	(2)
Teaching Routines for Specific Situations	112	(2)
Different Approaches to Teaching Rules and Routines	114	(7)
Concluding Comments	121	(1)
Summary	121	(1)
Activities for Skill Building and Reflection	122	(1)
For Further Reading	123	(1)
References	124	(2)
Working with Families	126	(44)
Challenges to Family-Teacher Cooperation	128	(4)
Teacher Reluctance to Involve Families in Schooling	128	(1)
Parent Reluctance to Become Involved in Schooling	129	(3)
The Changing Nature of the Family	132	(1)
Overcoming the Challenges: Fostering Collaboration between Families and Schools	132	(30)
Helping Families Fulfill Their Basic Obligations	132	(4)
Fulfilling the Basic Obligations of Schools---Communicating with Families	136	(4)
Practical Tips for: Reaching ``Hard to Reach'' Parents	140	(3)
Practical Tips for: Drafting Memos, E-mails, and Newsletters	143	(2)
Practical Tips for: Making Home Visits	145	(3)
Practical Tips for: Back-to-School Night	148	(7)
Family Involvement in School	155	(2)
Family Involvement in Learning Activities at Home	157	(5)
Concluding Comments	162	(1)
Summary	162	(1)
Activities for Skill Building and Reflection	163	(3)
For Further Reading	166	(1)
Organizational Resources	167	(1)
References	167	(3)
Making the Most of Classroom Time	170	(31)
How Much Time Is There, Anyway?	171	(4)
Increasing Opportunity to Learn	175	(19)
Practical Tips for: Increasing Students' Learning Time	177	(1)
Maintaining Activity Flow	177	(2)
Minimizing Transition Times	179	(5)
Holding Students Accountable	184	(7)
Practical Tips for: Handling Paperwork	191	(1)
Managing Pullouts as Efficiently as Possible	191	(3)
Concluding Comments	194	(1)
Summary	194	(1)
Activities for Skill Building and Reflection	195	(3)
For Further Reading	198	(1)
References	198	(3)
PART III ORGANIZING AND MANAGING INSTRUCTION	201	(134)
Enhancing Students' Motivation	202	(29)
What Is Realistic? What Is Appropriate?	203	(2)
An Expectancy X Value Framework	204	(1)
Strategies for Increasing Expectations of Success	205	(7)
Provide Opportunities for Success	205	(3)
Teach Students to Set Reasonable Goals and Assess Their Own Performance	208	(1)
Help Students Recognize the Relationship between Effort and Outcome	208	(1)
Provide Informative Feedback	209	(2)
Provide Special Motivational Support to Discouraged Students	211	(1)
Enhancing the Value of the Task	212	(10)
Relate Lessons to Students' Own Lives	212	(2)
Provide Opportunities for Choice	214	(1)
Model Interest in Learning and Express Enthusiasm for the Material	215	(1)
Include Novelty/Variety Elements	215	(1)
Provide Opportunities for Students to Respond Actively	216	(1)
Allow Students to Create Finished Products	216	(1)
Provide Opportunities for Students to Interact with Peers	217	(1)
Provide Extrinsic Rewards	217	(2)
Practical Tips for: Choosing Activities as Rewards	219	(3)
Practical Tips for: Using Rewards	222	(1)
Motivating Underachieving and Disaffected Students	222	(3)
Concluding Comments	225	(1)
Summary	225	(2)
Activities for Skill Building and Reflection	227	(1)
For Further Reading	227	(1)
References	228	(3)
Managing Independent Work	231	(33)
Seatwork: How Much, What, and Why?	233	(2)
The Challenges for Teachers	235	(3)
The Challenges for Students	238	(2)
Implications for Practice	240	(18)
Practical Tips for: Using Independent Work Effectively	241	(1)
Assign Work That Is Clear and Meaningful	241	(1)
Match the Work to Varying Achievement Levels	242	(1)
Make Sure Oral Directions Are Clear	243	(3)
Monitor Behavior and Comprehension	246	(2)
Teach Children What to Do If They Get Stuck	248	(2)
Plan for Ragged Endings	250	(1)
Find Alternatives to Workbook Pages	250	(8)
Concluding Comments	258	(1)
Summary	259	(1)
Activities for Skill Building and Reflection	260	(1)
For Further Reading	261	(1)
References	262	(2)
Managing Groupwork	264	(35)
The Pitfalls of Groupwork	266	(5)
Practical Tips for: Designing and Implementing Successful Groupwork	271	(1)
Designing and Implementing Successful Groupwork	271	(19)
Decide on the Type of Group to Use	271	(5)
Decide on the Size of the Group	276	(1)
Decide on Group Composition	277	(2)
Structure Cooperative Tasks for Positive Interdependence	279	(2)
Ensure Individual Accountability	281	(2)
Teach Students to Cooperate	283	(5)
Monitor Learning, Involvement, and Cooperative Behavior	288	(2)
Two Specific Approaches to Cooperative Learning	290	(2)
Jigsaw and Jigsaw II	290	(1)
The Structural Approach to Cooperative Learning	290	(2)
Concluding Comments	292	(1)
Summary	293	(1)
Activities for Skill Building and Reflection	294	(1)
For Further Reading	295	(1)
Organizational Resources	295	(1)
References	296	(3)
Managing Recitations and Discussions	299	(36)
The Pitfalls of Recitations	306	(4)
Unequal Participation	306	(1)
Losing It All: Pace, Focus, and Involvement	306	(1)
Difficulties in Monitoring Students' Comprehension	307	(1)
Incompatibility with the Communication Patterns That Children Bring to School	308	(2)
Strategies for Managing Recitations	310	(12)
Distributing Chances to Participate	310	(1)
Practical Tips for: Managing Recitations	311	(3)
Providing Time to Think without Losing the Pace	314	(1)
Stimulating and Maintaining Interest	315	(2)
Providing Feedback without Losing the Pace	317	(2)
Monitoring Comprehension	319	(2)
Supporting the Participation of Diverse Learners	321	(1)
Moderating Discussions	322	(5)
Practical Tips for: Leading Discussions	326	(1)
Concluding Comments	327	(1)
Summary	327	(2)
Activities for Skill Building and Reflection	329	(2)
For Further Reading	331	(1)
References	331	(4)
PART IV COPING WITH THE CHALLENGES	335
Protecting and Restoring Order	336	(47)
Principles for Dealing with Inappropriate Behavior	337	(6)
Dealing with Minor Misbehavior	343	(6)
Practical Tips for: Dealing with Minor Misbehavior	344	(1)
Nonverbal Interventions	344	(1)
Verbal Interventions	345	(4)
Deliberately Ignoring the Misbehavior	349	(1)
Dealing with More Serious Misbehavior: Using Penalties	349	(7)
Selecting Penalties	350	(3)
Imposing Penalties	353	(2)
The Issue of Consistency	355	(1)
Penalizing the Group for Individual Misbehavior	355	(1)
Dealing with Chronic Misbehavior	356	(10)
Resolving Conflicts through Problem Solving	356	(2)
Approaches Based on Principles of Behavior Modification	358	(6)
Using an Ecosystemic Approach Changing Problem Behavior by Reframing	364	(2)
Dealing with Thorny Problems	366	(7)
Tattling	366	(1)
Cheating	367	(1)
Stealing	368	(1)
Practical Tips for: Dealing with Cheating	369	(1)
Profanity	370	(1)
Defiance	371	(1)
Sexually Related Behavior	371	(1)
Practical Tips for: Handling Defiance	372	(1)
Failure to Do Homework	373	(1)
When Discipline Violates Students' First Amendment Rights	373	(2)
Practical Tips for: Increasing the Likelihood That Students Will Do Their Homework	374	(1)
Concluding Comments	375	(1)
Summary	376	(2)
Activities for Skill Building and Reflection	378	(1)
For Further Reading	379	(1)
References	380	(3)
Helping Students with Special Needs	383	(47)
Helping Children with Disabilities and ADHD	385	(22)
Learning Disabilities	388	(1)
Emotional and Behavioral Disorders	389	(2)
Practical Tips for: Helping Children with Conduct Disorder	391	(1)
Pervasive Developmental Disorders: Autism and Asperger Syndrome	392	(1)
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder	393	(1)
Practical Tips for: Helping Children with Asperger Syndrome	394	(2)
General Strategies for Helping Children with Disabilities and ADHD	396	(1)
Practical Tips for: Helping Children with ADHD	397	(1)
Practical Tips for: Enhancing the Success of Co-Teaching	398	(9)
Helping Children Who Are English-Language Learners	407	(2)
Helping Students Who Are Troubled	409	(12)
Practical Tips for: Helping English-Language Learners	410	(1)
Substance Abuse	411	(4)
Practical Tips for: Helping Children of Alcoholics/Addicts	415	(3)
Abuse and Neglect	418	(3)
Concluding Comments	421	(1)
Summary	421	(2)
Activities for Skill Building and Reflection	423	(2)
For Further Reading	425	(1)
Organizational Resources	425	(1)
References	426	(4)
Preventing and Responding to Violence	430
How Much Violence Is There?	431	(1)
Strategies for Preventing Violence	431	(17)
Building Supportive School Communities	431	(5)
Practical Tips for: Dealing with Cyber-Bullying	436	(1)
Teaching Social-Emotional Skills and Conflict Resolution	437	(6)
Knowing the Early Warning Signs of Potential for Violence	443	(2)
Being Attentive to Whispers, Rumors, and Threats	445	(1)
De-escalating Potentially Explosive Situations	446	(1)
Practical Tips for: Managing Potentially Explosive Situations	447	(1)
Responding to Violence	448	(3)
Coping with Aggressive Behavior	448	(3)
Practical Tips for: Responding Effectively to Physical Fights	451	(1)
Responding Effectively to Physical Fights	451	(1)
Concluding Comments	451	(1)
Summary	452	(1)
Activities for Skill Building and Reflection	453	(1)
For Further Reading	453	(1)
Organizational Resources	454	(1)
References	455
Name Index	1	(1)
Subject Index	1