Observation #2: Classroom Management

Form 2 - Classroom Management

Teacher Candidate_Sam Richards_____________________________________________________Date_1/21/2011__________________________

School/Class Observed_Pep Band High________________________________________________Teacher Observed_Mrs. Awesome___________

1.  Complete the table with information about the classroom and your comments or reactions.

Procedure	Details	Your Comments/Reactions
What is the arrival procedure for students?	Students were to start warming up and practice until the band director started group practice.	None of the students really did anything until the teacher reminded them to.
What is the procedure for taking attendance?	The teacher took attendance mentally as she warmed the band up.	I liked how this didn't take time away from rehearsal time.
What other procedures are used to start the class?	The teacher also handed out music to a few people who didn't have it at the beginning as the band warmed up.	I feel like it would have been more effective if these students had taken care of this issue before report time.
What are the rules of the classroom?	Don't talk over the teacher, be respectful of others, other equipment, and the music room.	I feel like a few of the students could have probably been better sportsman towards the other team.
Are the rules posted where the students can see them?	At the back of the room.	This was posted by  the door so that everyone saw it as they came into the room.
Did the students help to develop the rules?	Some of the students were very observant and courteous to the rules.	Lots of the students were just excited about the game and appeared very hyper and chatty.
How are the rules reinforced?	The director verbally addressed the few issues that came up.	Although warned, a few students were still a little hyper and unruly.
Are the rules consistently reinforced?	The director was always right on the ball with addressing all of the issues that came about.	I was impressed at how well the teacher kept at the students but was still able to keep calm and orderly.
What is the procedure for asking a question?	Questions were mostly just asked out loud.	At a basketball game, talking out of turn isn't really a big issue.
What is the procedure for distribution of materials?	Music was kept in "Band-folio" folder for ease of access during the game.	I like using these kinds of folders because they are small, very portable, and they either attach to the instrument or are very easy to hold.
What is the procedure for work missed while absent?	Absence at a pep band game is reflected in your grade.	As I assume most high school pep bands work.
What is the procedure for going to the restroom?	Students were to ask for permission to go to the restroom. There was a break given during the game.	This didn't really seem to be an issue because of the break.
What is the procedure for getting a drink of water?	Students could have drinks in the stands. Just like the restroom policy, you could ask permission or just wait until the break.	This didn't really seem to be an issue because of the break.
What is the procedure for going to lunch?	There was no lunch break.	You don't eat lunch at a basketball game.
What is the procedure for dismissal at the end of class?	At the end of half time, the students were dismissed to go put their instrument away and were free to leave.	I was disappointed that the band didn't stay to cheer on the team for the whole game.
How are the procedures taught to the students on the first day(s) of school?	They are laid out and described by the teacher.	No comment.
How are the procedures practiced?	They are enforced by the teacher daily.	No comment.
What is another procedure used in this classroom?	At the end of the game, everybody gave their folder to the teacher and she put them all into a box.	This is helpful because it means that everybody will have music whenever they need it because they won't have forgotten it at home, in their car, lost it, ect.

2.  What management procedures does the teacher use to contribute to the creation of a positive classroom environment?

_The students are encouraged to display good sportsmanship during the game._________________________________________________________________________________

3.  Is there anything about the management procedures that you might do differently in your own classroom?  If so, what is it and why would you like to try it another way?

__I would enforce good sportsmanship towards others a little more strictly to make the group seem more professional._____________________________________________

4. Based on your observation, what questions do you have for your mentor or cooperating teacher?

_Obviously, teens are going to be teens: In enforcing rules, is it more effective to approach all situations with a strict and rigid way of managing a classroom or would it be more effective to enforce the rules in a more general and light-hearted kind of manner?____________________________________________________________________________

6.  What connections to your coursework can you make based on your observations of classroom management?

_If you don't keep on top of your students and let them know that you are paying attention to them, they will probably act as if you aren't even there._____________________

Observation #1: Classroom Setup

Form 1 - Classroom Set Up

Teacher Candidate_Sam Richards_______________________________________________________Date_1/19/2011_________________

School/Class Observed_New Room High School_____________________________________Teacher Observed_Mr. Marlin___________

1.  Complete the table with information about the classroom and your comments or reactions.

Aspect	Details	Your Comments/Reactions
Overall Appearance of Room	The room didn’t really look “tidy”, but it wasn’t really messy though.	The room didn’t really look “tidy”, but it wasn’t really messy either…More like organized clutter. Because most everything was open and exposed. It just didn’t feel as organized as well as it could be.
Student Arrangement	The students sat in built in risers in the room that curved in a semi-circle around the front and center point of the room.	This makes it easy for every student to easily see and focus on the teacher.
Teacher’s Position	The teacher’s “office” was just his desk located at the front right corner of the room away from the learning space. While teaching, the teacher stayed front and center in the room, and the classroom was centered on that spot.	I really liked his idea of an open office. It makes him seem more open and available to the students, but it doesn’t really leave much in the way for privacy and professionalism if for meetings and observations with his superiors. The front and center of the room was a big focal point and it was where all the sound from throughout the room was centered on that spot.
Room Traffic/Flow	Upon entering the room, students were to take a chair from behind the door at the right and then go sit on the built-in risers.	I didn’t like that the stands and chairs were stored so far apart from each other.
Technology	There was a computer at his desk and a stereo system along the front wall just right of the white board.	Technology is important in today’s society.
Decorations or Displays	There are plaques and pictures in the hall before you enter the room. It’s a nice way to show off the band before you enter their space. Inside the room, the American flag was displayed at the left side of the room and the band’s banner at the right. Because it was a catholic high school, a rosary was also at the right.	By showing these items inside the room, it is clear to see what is important in this learning environment. I like that.
White Board/Chalk Board	There was one white board in the center of the room behind the teacher.	White boards come in very handy when teaching.
Other Equipment	The teacher had an overhead projector to show notes on a pull-down screen just above the white board at the front of the room.	Overhead projectors are old school technology, but they are still around for a reason. They work well in class lectures.
Books	There was a bookshelf full of different books next to the teacher’s desk.	The books stacked up on the bookshelf seemed a little untidy.
Storage of Materials	Lots of old library book shelves, other shelving units, and other small cabinets.  All storage was located at the back and sides of the room so as not to get between the students and the teacher. There were also two storage rooms (percussion and uniform/music) behind the music room.	Storage seemed to be a bit of an issue. Although there were a lot of shelves, there were also several items that were oddly enough shaped, such as stands and certain horns, that didn’t really fit well in the storage equipment that they had.
Student Access to Materials	Instruments and small percussion “toys” were kept in drawers and on shelves around the outside of the room. Bigger percussion instruments and uniforms were kept in storage rooms. Only percussionists were allowed in the percussion storage room and the door was to remain open all the time.	I was really surprised that the door between the music room and percussion storage room was a single door. There are quite a few percussions instruments that just don’t (easily) fit through a regular single door and I know firsthand the inconvenience of having to improvise to move through or around these doors.
Windows	There was one line of windows across the top of the front wall of the room.	I like this because there’s not much window space where much of anything can distract the students, but it still lets in a good bit of natural light.
Color	The walls were red and grayish-white. Red is one of the school colors.	I was glad to see that the walls weren’t just plain white. I feel like a colorful atmosphere makes learning and creative
Lighting	There were plenty of light fixtures to illuminate the whole room as well as a good bit of natural light coming in through the windows.	I like having natural light in the room.
Climate	The music room and both storage rooms had their own climate control settings.	This made it easy to keep the rooms comfortable and keep equipment in good condition.
Other	The teacher talked a lot about the way you should dress as a young band director. You should always look professional and very modest. If you are a man you should wear a tie.	Even though this technically isn't part of the room, being dressed well will help you seem more professional to your students and peers.

2.  Make a quick sketch of the room’s floor plan here (Sketch by hand).

3.  How do the physical arrangement and appearance of the room contribute to the creation of a positive classroom environment?

__The open office desk setup made the teacher seem more down to earth and approachable for the students in any case that they might need help. It also helps the teacher keep order in the room because even when he isn’t teaching, he is able to see everything that is going on in the room.

4.  Is there anything about the physical arrangement and appearance of the room that you might do differently in your own classroom?  If so, what is it and why would you like to try it another way? 

__I would keep the chairs and stands in the same location within the room, or at least on the same side of the room, so that not every student would have to walk back and forth across the room to prepare for class.

5. Based on your observation, what questions do you have for your instructor or classmates?

__Is there anything you would do differently in the way the room is laid out in terms of organization i.e. where things are placed? 

6.  What connections to your coursework can you make based on your observations of the classroom’s physical set up?

__If you strive to keep the room clean and organized, it will make you seem more professional and your students will be more likely to try to do the same.