Well now that I have a few days under my belt I feel like I can properly address this topic. I am currently in Co-Taught Biology classes which means there are a large proportion of special ed students in each class and there is another teacher in the class as well as my cooperating teacher. In a way this makes it quite easy to manage the classroom because the students are always in close proximity to a teacher. I think that the way in which my teacher manages the class is effective. She hasn't yet made a seating chart but has threatened to if students get out of hand. Just the idea of not getting to sit next to friends has been enough for the kids to settle down and not force the issue. I think that the school has an effective way of managing behavior as well. If a student gets to be to much trouble during any class period they can be set outside in the pod where there is always another teacher that can enforce more discipline. No student has had to be put outside yet but that is always an option.
The class sizes are also quite small which helps to keep the students from getting to out of hand. Students sit in groups at tables where they can interact and complete the labs that seem to be given on a regular basis. I think that one short fall may be that the students get a little loud at the beginning of the period and it seems difficult to get them on task. I think that this could be fixed with the entry question on the board or something like that, so students come in and automatically know that they have something to work on without being told. However, it might just be how the school is set up because it seems that no teacher has any kind of policy like that. I think that as I take over I may incorporate that and place SOL type questions so they can practice with that. All in all I think that the classes I have will be quite easy to keep on task and manage.
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I like your school's method and that they can enforce more discipline outside of the classroom. Oftentimes I've noticed my students act out for attention from classmates, but your school's method seems like a promising solution.
ReplyDeleteI have one class with an aid and does make for a very manageable class (3 teachers = 8 students/ teacher... not too shabby!)
You will have to keep me posted about your class's management throughout the semester because I am curious to hear how your ratio of students to teachers plays out. We do not have any students with special needs in our chemistry class and therefore it is just Dr. G and myself. It seems to work out pretty well because the students are pretty self-sufficient; however, I wonder if they really are struggling but we have yet to pick up on it. I guess I will have to assign several assessments to make sure!
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That is awesome that you have another teacher in your room with you. It is always easier to manage things when there are more eyes watching the students. That is good that there is another teacher in the hall that can help watch and manage students when they are put out there. My teacher puts students in the hall too, and I'm trying to think of a different form of discipline so they don't miss the material from that day. If you come up with anything that works please let me know. My teacher has her "do now" beginning activities and I like that you want to implement that when you take over. Best of luck to you.
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