Course Overview
This course teaches candidates how to create a positive learning community and take steps to maintain that environment by guiding and correcting behavior when necessary (Burden, 2006, p. 2). It focuses on four dimensions of classroom and instructional management:
- Environmental management
- Instructional management
- Classroom management
- Behavioral management
The course project, Classroom Management Plan: Establishing and Maintaining a Positive Learning Environment, serves as a guide for candidates establishing a plan for their own classrooms. Candidates develop and communicate a personal philosophy regarding classroom management that references physical surroundings, student motivation approaches, rules and procedures, and strategies for dealing with challenging behaviors and diverse needs.
This course includes field-based activities that take place in a K - 12 school/district setting.
Course Learning Objectives
- Select and implement a philosophical model of classroom management and discipline.
- Organize the physical and instructional environment, and set expectations for learning and behavior.
- Create a respectful, supportive learning environment that motivates students to learn.
- Utilize prevention strategies to maintain classroom behavior.
- Develop a repertoire of intervention strategies to deal with challenging or violent students.
- Address issues of diversity in order to create an inclusive classroom environment.
- Establish ongoing communication and involvement with families, colleagues, administrators, and the community around issues of assessment, classroom behavior, and the code of conduct.
