Classroom management is a term used for teachers to describe the process of ensuring that classroom lessons run smoothly without disruptive behaviour from students compromising the delivery of instruction in order to keep students engaged and willing to participate in every class lesson and activity. (Kratochwill, 2010) It is one of the most important competencies in learning as it establishes and sustains an orderly environment in the classroom and increases meaningful academic learning and facilitates social and emotional growth. (Blair, 2010) Thus, classroom management was much related to positive relationships as teachers can only control and teach students only by adopting the positive relationship or good manners and behaviours. Therefore, this essay will focus on the elaboration of classroom management indicators such as organising the classroom with learning corners and teaching aids, with student work displayed, the second one is managing the learning environment of the classroom to ensure that the maximum amount time in class is focused on learning and lastly is effectively use different types of positive reinforcement for good work and effort (clap). It will be carried out through conveying my training experiences at KTC and other schools, including theorists’ theory that support this competency and along with evidences that will be shown in the appendices.

According to the first indicator which is organising the classroom with learning corners and teaching aids, with student work displayed. It is true that organising classroom with students work and teaching aids is a teacher responsibility. So, regarding Glasser’s theory, he believed that by creating a supportive and inclusive environment, this theorist trust that teachers can facilitate essential motivation and classroom discipline when teachers generate a helpful and inclusive learning environment. (Louis, 2019) Therefore, I have satisfied this indicator while I was doing my internship at NTR and Ueen Abaiang JSS where I usually display students’ work as well as my used teaching aids in their learning corners. Refer to appendix 18.

In accordance with the second indicator namely managing the learning environment of the classroom to ensure that the maximum amount time in class is focused on learning. This indicator meant that it is also another role for an educator to manage the learning environment ensuring that most time must be focused on learning. For instance, the tutor is responsible for preparing a well and time planned lesson that is applicable for students and ensure that the delivery must be deeply focused on learning, got to engage students in the learning process, and not disturbances. According to the theorist who is Jones; he is known for his work on the theory of positive discipline. He emphasizes the importance of building positive relationships with students and creating a structured and predictable classroom environment. (Astor, 2014). I had accomplished this indicator while I was doing my internship at NTR JSS where I prepared a well and time planned lesson plan indicating steps it needed to teach students effectively and passionately. Refer to appendix 14.  After preparing the lesson plan, I tried to teach students effectively in ways of organising their seating arrangement to sit separately within groups (refer to appendix 18), teaching them with the use of effective teaching aids. Finally, I always conclude the lesson making sure that the lesson focus was achieved by learners. If it not achieved, then I will repeat the lesson to the next teaching. Refer to this journal blogger. Therefore, after doing this I assume that most time in class is focused in learning.

Regarding the last indicator which is effectively use different types of positive reinforcement for good work and effort (clapping and awards). Students would not be misbehaved if the teacher provide awards to students which act as an encouragement toward learners’ learning. The awards will be only presented to those students who are well-behaved and finished assigned task at an expected time. I had successfully met this indicator when I was doing my internship at NTR JSS where I usually reward my students when they act so obediently inside the classroom and especially if they finish their work on time. The form of reward I gave them is allowing them to do or play in any games they prefer such as football, volleyball or table-tennis. Refer to appendix 18.

Recalling back to the two weeks of block teaching I carried out at Sunrise and Temwanoku Primary School when I was in year 1 and 2 at KTC in 2020; I have used classroom management throughout my teaching. However, on the first day, I was new and did not know what strategies to use to manage the classroom and the students’ annoying behaviour. Therefore, as the day went on, I was able to manage the student’s behaviour and let the lesson go smoothly. There are a lot of strategies I used, and they are using the time-out corner to punish them. (Refer to appendix 1.1) This is where I place the naughty student and let him stay there and write the wrong thing, he did 100 times on a piece of paper, not only that but he/she could read in that corner and also included in the learning process inside the classroom. I also used my natural tone of voice to scold them when they act not so obediently.

To conclude, it was very vital for teachers to often adopt many teaching strategies related to classroom management and positive relationship during their teaching. As it decreased negative behaviours and increased time spent academically inside the classroom. (Blair, 2010) Additionally, it also made a teacher get to know more about his/her students’ behaviours and find effective and acceptable solutions or strategies to lessen the annoying behaviours of students. If educators applied the above theorist's theory, then there will be a huge and significant impact in the end as it served as both a prevention and intervention method that will promote positive outcomes and the academic success of students.

Bibliography

Astor, C. (2014, June 11). prezi. Retrieved from Classroom Management theory: https://prezi.com/c9dmecr5rhw-/fred-jones-classroom-management-theory/

Blair, S. (2010, November 25). Why classroom management is important. Retrieved from TIps for teaching: https://www.education.gov.gy/web/index.php/teachers/tips-for-teaching/item/1651-why-classroom-management-is-important

Kratochwill, T. (2010, May 10). universalclass. Retrieved from Solving classroom problems: https://www.universalclass.com/i/course/solving-classroom-problems.htm

Louis, J. (2019, December 21). WIKIBOOKS. Retrieved from Classroom Management Theorists and Theoris/William GLasser: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Classroom_Management_Theorists_and_Theories/William_Glasser

 See Appendix 3 for bibliography details