Classroom management
Classroom management has proven indispensable, impacting greatly on the teaching and learning efficiency. Four important areas of classroom management, as also presented in the Vinschool’s Classroom Observation Rubrics, are:
- Learning environment
- Classroom procedures
- Building rapport
- Student behavior management
Creating a positive learning environment
Learning a language requires social risk taking as we ask learners to work on activities that challenge them and to communicate with others in English while their interlanguage is still transforming. We need to create classroom environments that are conducive to learning. It should be an environment which is viewed by students as comfortable, supportive, engaged, motivated, safe and secure.
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Establishing classroom routines and procedures
"Routines are the backbone of daily classroom life. They facilitate teaching and learning…. Routines don’t just make your life easier, they save valuable classroom time. And what’s most important, efficient routines make it easier for students to learn and achieve more." (Learning to Teach…not just for beginners by Linda Shalaway)
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Building rapport
An outstanding manifestation of rapport establishing and maintaining, as defined in Vinschool’s Classroom Observation Rubrics, is observed when “the classroom atmosphere is consistently friendly and respectful, reflecting genuine warmth, caring and sensitivity to students' health, interests, perspectives, etc. as individuals. Creativity and a variety of approaches are used effectively to promote collaboration, interaction, and positive relationships. The good rapport creates an atmosphere in which individuals and the whole class take intellectual risks in exploring knowledge.” If you want to explore useful tips to build good rapport with your students, read the following resources for brilliant ideas.
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Managing student behavior Successful student behaviour management is defined in the Vinschool’s Classroom Observation Rubrics as:
The Teenage Brain - An introduction The Teenage Brain - The Latest Research 1 The Teenage Brain - The Latest Research 2
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Role of the learner
Understanding individual learners is vital for successful differentiation. In order to be effective, figuring out what the individual already knows or can do is a vital step in the process.
Getting to know learners is, however, more than just finding out what they know. It is also about a broader understanding of learner difference. Learners and their learning can be different for a number of reasons: they may have different levels of interest in the topic; they may have differences in their levels of motivation, their ability to remember information, their confidence, the accuracy of their handwriting, their levels of vocabulary acquisition.
Having knowledge of the individual helps teachers to plan for learning rather than teaching, and ensures that they are always supporting progress. In a differentiated classroom, teachers and learners collaborate in learning and learners have ownership and responsibility. Offering choice can encourage ownership of individual work and learning, creating a learning environment in which learners ‘have no fear’ and apply effort.
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Differentiation at Vinschool
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References:
Shalaway, L. & Beech, L. (1999). Learning to Teach...not just for beginners (revised, updated edition). Scholastic Teaching Resources.
Catt, S., Miller, D. and Schallenkamp, K. (2007). "You are the key: Communicate for learning effectiveness". Education, 127: 369-377.
Harmer, J. (2007). The Practice of English Language Teaching. Pearson Longman.