The Layers of Successful Classroom Management

A light bulb moment--Great teaching requires many layers, especially with middle grades. Adolescents are at a crossroads. They can decide to go one way (good) or another (bad). When I worked in ministry the youth director would often tell me that her favorite group to work with was the middle grades students. "Why is that?" I asked her. "Well, because I still have a shot to make a real difference in their lives. Once they hit high school, they just know it all, or at least that is what they think."

Her response comes back to my mind often as I plan and think about my instruction and classroom management. My takeaway from her response is that middle grades students want to believe that they can become someone and they are looking to us, as their teachers, to make a difference in their lives. To guide them, and create a sense of intrinsic motivation to be better people, to be leaders.

It is great to have rules for the classroom, to develop techniques like from the book Teach Like A Champion, but true teacher leadership goes even deeper than that. We must guide our students to be leaders for themselves and others. Great teaching then is developed in layers.

First Layer-- Rules and procedures for the classroom. Yes, all classrooms must have rules, and I believe that student teachers would gain tremendous confidence from Harry Wong's The First Days of School. It lays rules and procedures out clearly and concisely and Wong's techniques work for the inexperienced teacher. If a teacher does not have this first foundational layer he/she will not succeed in the classroom.

Second Layer-- Technique. Teachers should use techniques to keep kids on track during the instruction period. Techniques such as SLANT, strong voice, 100% percent, and all eyes from the book, Teach Like A Champion are great to keep the class on track. I will warn that for this to be successful in the classroom teachers must be consistent. The awesome benefits include not having to say, "SHHHH!!" "Be Quiet!!" throughout the class, which preserves teacher energy, which creates more enjoyment on the job.

Third Layer--Character Development. Middle grades teachers have a special calling here. Basic instruction is not enough. Character development is critical. This is an area that is difficult for many educators. However, I believe that teachers should read books on how to develop character in their students. Rafe Esquith's Teach Like Your Hair's On Fire is a great reference for the importance of character development. He teaches his students Lawrence Kohlberg's Six Levels of Moral Development.

"I had been planning lessons around my favorite book, To Kill A Mockingbird, and was reading a study guide that analyzed the novel's character in relation to Lawrence Kohlberg's Six Levels of Moral Development. I just loved it. The Six Levels were simple, easy to understand, and most important, perfectly applicable to teaching young people exactly what I wanted them to learn. I quickly incorporated the Six Levels into the class, and now they are the glue that holds it together. Trust is always the foundation, but the Six Levels are the building blocks that help  my kids grow as both students and people. I even used the Six Levels in raising my own children, and I am extremely proud of how they turned out." ~ Esquith

KOHLBERG'S STAGES OF MORAL DEVELOPMENT
http://faculty.plts.edu/gpence/html/kohlberg.htm

Excerpt from Esquith's book, Teach Like Your Hair's On Fire
http://www.d.umn.edu/~dglisczi/4501web/4501Readings/edse4501_tea_li_yo_h_ch02.pdf

I try to incorporate moral lessons throughout my teaching. My hope is that my units with have a high moral theme that will make my students think and reflect on their place in the world and how they will respond to it in a positive way. I don't preach to them, but I do guide them and ask questions. However, they come up with the discoveries themselves, which I believe is important. It creates more intrinsic motivation and internalization of moral codes within.


Fourth Layer- Developing Leaders. The final layer to classroom management is leadership development. This is when I reflect back on the statement made by the youth director. Middle grades students listen. They still believe in adults, and they are looking to us to develop them as leaders. I love the book, The Leader in Me: How Schools and Parents Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time by Stephen R. Covey. The book details case studies of schools around the world that put the 7 habits of highly effective people into action. The schools create strong visions of leadership and integrate their visions in everything they do to develop leaders in the classroom.

The 7 Habits are taught to students starting in kindergarten in very basic terms and in all varieties of ways, including through posters, stories, games, toys, movies, drama, poetry, contests, writing assignments, and art. ~ Covey

http://www.theleaderinme.org/

 

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

 

Habit 1: Be Proactive

I am a responsible person. I take initiative. I choose my actions, attitudes, and moods. I do not blame others for my wrong actions. I do the right thing without being asked, even when no one is looking.

 

Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind

I plan ahead and set goals. I do things that have meaning and make a difference. I am an important part of my classroom and contribute to my school's mission and vision, and look for ways to be a good citizen.

 

Habit 3: Put First Things First

I spend my time on things that are most important. This means I say no to things I know I should not do. I set priorities, make a schedule, and follow my plan. I am disciplined and organized.

 

Habit 4: Think Win-Win

I balance courage for getting what I want with consideration for what others want. I make deposits in others' Emotional Bank Accounts. When conflicts arise, I look for third alternatives.

 

Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood

I listen to other people's ideas and feelings. I try to see things from their  viewpoints. I listen to others without interrupting. I am confident in voicing my ideas. I look people in the eyes when talking.

 

Habit 6: Synergize

I value other people's strengths and learn from them. I get along well with others, even people who are different from me. I work well in groups. I seek out other people's ideas to solve problems because I know that by teaming with others we can create better solutions than any one of us alone. I am humble.

 

Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw

I take care of my body by eating right, exercising, and getting sleep. I spend time with family and friends. I learn in lots of ways and lots of places, not just at school. I take time to find meaningful ways to help others.





Concluding Thoughts- This upcoming school year I hope to incorporate all of these layers together for my classes, and integrate them from the beginning. As a sixth grade teacher, I realize that I set the tone for their middle school journey. I know that this might seem overwhelming, but I believe that if taken layer by layer, we as teachers seeking excellence, can get there. It just takes time, and a concerted and consistent effort to use them everyday. Although seemingly arduous at times. I believe that the rewards are defiantly worth the effort given.