hypothetical questions

[Brit]

I enjoy posing hypothetical questions at teh end of a long week when I'm just bored and grumpy and tired. So here's mine from this week:

what would happen if we just taught, and did not engage in any form of classroom management?

[Clix]

The same thing if we went to an empty room and "taught," most likely.

[seastarmath]

You mean if our only job was to teach the children? Mmm. I think I would just go outside and look for angels: If that ever did happen, I would suspect I had died and gone to heaven.

[mercygate]

Managing your classroom is integral to teaching. Classroom management isn't disciplinary action, it is setting up proceudres that keep disruptions to a minimum so students are ready to participate and stay on task.

When I was thrown into a classroom 3 years ago, with NO experience, the whole year was a disaster. I have gradually added structure and techniques for active engagement that have changed my class from Chaos into a delight.

This year, I have added power teaching. WOW! So far, so good! The kids LOVE "management". They do NOT love "discipline."

[Boxcar]

This is an interesting question.

I try to teach the students to make thier own choices and problem-solve. I've had students tell each other "Miss Boxcar lets us do whatever we want!" Of course, I don't. I stress how to make thoughtful decisions and let the consequences fit behaviors. Only when it is dangerous for someone do I intervene before anything happens.

This is more indirect and subtle management, however. I can't really say it is no management.

I would hope that the lessons I teach in the early years would mean less and less of a need for classroom management as the children progress through the upper grades.

This probably isn't the case though.

Not sure what my point is... Just thinking out loud...

[teacher5]

Initially, we would probably go into shock! Then we might even look to create a situation where students needed to argue or defend their poinit of view. It is unrealistic to think that the situation you described would exist. It's panacea, but it was a nice thought.

[merrynl]

If you had highly motivated, perfectly behaved students, then you might get some learning going on. If you have kids like my 4th period class this year, you'd be better off leaving the room and locking the door for your own safety.

[SiobhanMarie]

I'm not sure, but I would consider classroom management also a form of teaching - discipline and rewards?

[SLP]

I had a job in a great school where the kids were generally pretty good and didn't give any problems to the teachers. Personally, I was bored...it was just too easy. I need to be challenged on a daily (or even minute-by minute) basis and I have found over the years that classroom management, behavior problems, and dealing with kids with special needs always keeps my job challenging and exciting.

[et cetera]

My first year of teaching I had a class that was completely out of control. They constantly talked any time I turned my head away from them (if even to look down at the page I was reading from). And they just made it generally impossible for me to teach. Finally, one day I just decided to stop trying to fight for their attention. I waited until they were all in the room, and then I quietly walked to the back, pulled one of the desks into the corner, and sat down with my copy of the book we were reading open. Of course, they all stopped what they were doing and turned to see what was going on. After a few minutes, I looked up and said (in a normal tone, not raising my voice at all) "I'm going to read over here. If anyone wants to discuss the book, you can feel free to bring your desk over to me, but I won't be talking any louder than this." Not five minutes went by and every student, even the worst of the trouble makers, was sitting as close to my desk as possible. I guess you could say my refusal to "manage my classroom" (at least in the traditional sense) actually allowed me to teach.

[luvs2learn]

Hi et cetera,

Although this may not occur in every class, I think that when you don't try to compete (i.e. not raising your voice to match the loudness of the class) and just get down to business, you may find more students following your lead. By not getting ruffled and off track, you are not falling into their trap. The majority of students who are more likely followers than leaders, will follow your lead, and eventually those few stragglers will also eventually follow suite as they have lost their audience.

As the saying goes, "you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar :)"