Task 4 Domain 2

Within the classroom environment domain, I feel most comfortable with component 2A: creating an environment of respect and rapport. From day one I let the students know that I will be fair and just and treat everyone equally. No bullying will take place and RESPECT will always be monitored. I feel I spend more time on this than anything else because if we have a discussion everyone should be free to express themselves without ridicule. I do not mind letting the students see me make mistakes, it shows I am human, and how I respond to them and how I correct the mistake is more important. At times I may be either too tender hearted or hard hearted. If a student is going through something personal then I am willing to bend, it just depends upon the situation. Guess that is where the conflict begins.

Component 2B and 2D play important roles in instruction; component 2C is the most crucial. This is where I would like to focus my energy. The flow to a class must be constant. There are great designers of lessons, great presenters, but if the audience is not willing or interested the performance will be awful. I hate walking past a classroom and hear hooting and hollering. How can those students be learning anything? How fair is it that I struggle to create and perform good lessons when other teachers are having tea parties? This component can influence a teacher to slack to the lower realms of teaching.

A typical class is students doing a “journal” entry, attendance, then starting the daily activities. Discussion on relevant topics to material is scattered throughout and individual work is usually performed. Group activities may be once to twice a week depending upon material.
When I try to do group work, I am afraid of loud talking and kids not doing their part. One or two students acting out can ruin the lesson, and I do not want to these lessons when these students are present. I know it is not fair, but more time is wasted on discipline than performance. Does any else have these problems?

With new software for grading and attendance, I feel overwhelmed. I am still trying to develop procedures of “bell ringers” as I am getting attendance. Another teacher mentioned mind puzzles (ones from the Sunday paper’s USA Today section). Plus putting in grades takes twice as long now. I would truly appreciate any tips on bell ringers or how to be more efficient with time?

I s it wrong of me to want to have more control of the classroom? I know students should be taking more control and responsibility, but I am afraid they are too lazy to complete assignments if they do not have strict deadlines. I don’t know if it is because I teach high school or too afraid of answering for students having low grades. I might be too old school in my procedures, consequently wanting to learn more about this component would be most helpful.