By Ardain Isma
CSMS Magazine
Pursuing the perfect solution to the classroom management problem, below is scenario number 3. Read it through, share it with friends and colleagues. I believe no instruction can be delivered effectively unless the classroom environment is properly managed. Thank you to all of you, especially Naomie Deliard, Michele Dorcelien-Spohn, who have taken some time to participate in this highly relevant subject.
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Scenario 3
Gum, food, and cell phone disruption
Ms. Romero is very strict when it comes to the discipline policy of her classroom. She teaches Spanish Level 1 to a seventh grade class at a middle school in Atlanta. On the first day of school, through a power point, she presents the ground rules of rituals-and-routines. Ms. Romero believes it is necessary to establish rules that are fair, clear and leave no place for ambiguity or misinterpretation. At the end of each presentation, she hands out a contract to every student and asks them to fill it out, pledging to obey the rules in exchange for creating an enjoyable classroom environment conducive to learning. Ms. Romero also promises rewards to students who maintain good behavior. She then asks the students to take the form home to their parents for a second signature so that the parents could be aware of and on board with the classroom policy.
Almost every class cooperates, but this last period class is systematically refusing to obey the rules, and Ms. Romero is finding it very difficult, nearly impossible to deliver her instructions. The class is very loud. Students are chatting on the phone, gum-chewing or carrying with them foods from the cafeteria and leaving candy wrappers and pieces of potato chips on the floor. Every effort to bring the class to order fails. That has irritated Ms. Romero who takes it upon herself as a failure because of her inability to teach the class effectively.
How can you help Ms. Romero overcome this problem?
Note: Dr. Ardain Isma teaches Cross-Cultural Studies and Education at University of North Florida (UNF). He is a veteran educator and World Language for the Duval County Public Schools. He is the Chief Editor for CSMS Magazine. He may be reached at: publisher@csmsmagazine.org
