Establish and Enforce Clear Expectations for Behavior
Establishing and enforcing clear norms for behaviors makes the class norm a safer, more predictable environment and communicates that you care about your students’ well-being. With clear rules and routines, there is less likelihood of confusion, misunderstanding and inconsistency – and more likelihood that teachers and students can engage in warm, relaxed interactions. Clear expectations also establish you as the classroom leader; this is especially important if you are working African American students, who are generally expect teachers to be authoritative – to speak in a firm voice, establish a no-nonsense atmosphere, demand respect, and convey high expectations (Brown, 2004; Gordon, 1998; Irvine, 2002; Milner, 2006; Obidah & Teel, 2001).
During all my field experiences I strongly believe that the first impression is the lasting impression to your students. With this being said you have also have got to set the ground rules (lay down the law), if you don’t they will have no respect at all towards you. If you are trying to enforce the rules later on during the school year it will not be a success because you have failed to do that early on during the school year. I do well in the primary grades as far as authority goes because with the younger children they see me as a big individual with power. This year I have been placed in the 4th grade level which is something I really wanted because I have very little experience and I want that knowledge. In this grade level I have had to raise my voice at a louder range and use interesting rhyming concepts that the children actually pay attention too. I had to say “Red Robin” and the students reply “Yumm”, to keep the noise level down and say what I had to say right afterwards (please read your books silently if you are done with your food or assignment). I did the old fashioned way please keep the noise level down and they ignored me and I had to step it up and use the teachers’ phrases that they are familiar with because it’s part of their classroom routine. It was rewarding when it got quit and they were all reading their books silently.
Establishing and enforcing clear norms for behaviors makes the class norm a safer, more predictable environment and communicates that you care about your students’ well-being. With clear rules and routines, there is less likelihood of confusion, misunderstanding and inconsistency – and more likelihood that teachers and students can engage in warm, relaxed interactions. Clear expectations also establish you as the classroom leader; this is especially important if you are working African American students, who are generally expect teachers to be authoritative – to speak in a firm voice, establish a no-nonsense atmosphere, demand respect, and convey high expectations (Brown, 2004; Gordon, 1998; Irvine, 2002; Milner, 2006; Obidah & Teel, 2001).
During all my field experiences I strongly believe that the first impression is the lasting impression to your students. With this being said you have also have got to set the ground rules (lay down the law), if you don’t they will have no respect at all towards you. If you are trying to enforce the rules later on during the school year it will not be a success because you have failed to do that early on during the school year. I do well in the primary grades as far as authority goes because with the younger children they see me as a big individual with power. This year I have been placed in the 4th grade level which is something I really wanted because I have very little experience and I want that knowledge. In this grade level I have had to raise my voice at a louder range and use interesting rhyming concepts that the children actually pay attention too. I had to say “Red Robin” and the students reply “Yumm”, to keep the noise level down and say what I had to say right afterwards (please read your books silently if you are done with your food or assignment). I did the old fashioned way please keep the noise level down and they ignored me and I had to step it up and use the teachers’ phrases that they are familiar with because it’s part of their classroom routine. It was rewarding when it got quit and they were all reading their books silently.