FS 1 Episode 3

Field Study 1: The Learner's Development and Environment

Episode 3
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT AND LEARNING



MY TOOLS

An Observation Guide for the Learners' Characteristics

1. As you observe the class, look into the characteristics of the learners. Note their ages.
2. How many boys are there? How many girls?
3. Focus on their behavior. Are they already able to manage their own behavior?
4. Can the learners' already work independently?
5. Describe their span of attention.
6. Look into their listening skills and ability to concentrate.

Name of the School: Mayapa Elementary School Observed: Grade 5 Location of the School: Mayapa, Laguna Date of Visit: August 16, 2013 As I observed the Grade 5 students whose age ranges from 10-13, they were doing some activities such as seat works. While observing I found out their different characteristics; some students are very quiet and really focusing on their task, some are chatting with their circle of friends while doing their work and there are few who are very fond of roaming around the classroom. The total class population is 41 students; composed of 21 boys and 20 girls. As I observed the different characteristics they portray I noticed that even though they're having chit chats or little conversation to their other classmates they can still focus on their assigned tasks and they can manage their behavior by finishing their assigned works. The learners can already work independently; they don't need any more the assistance of their homeroom teacher, if that so they are only asks some questions that they do not understand. The span of attention of the students are wide enough just as patience on working with their assignment. On their listening skills, I noticed that they are mature enough to follow the instructions given to them on their ability to concentrate, even their destructed to some ideas such as playing and doing their own discussion to their peer group they can still manage to finish their assigned task.

An Observation Guide for the CLASSROOM VISIT

1. Are there areas in the classroom for specific purposes (storage of teaching aids, books, students' belongings, supplies, etc.)
2. Are there rules and procedures posted in the room?
3. Did the students participate in making the classroom rules?
4. What are the daily routines done by the teacher? (prayer, attendance, assignment of monitors, warm-up activities, etc.) How are they done?
5. Is there a seating arrangement? What is the basis of this arrangement?
6. Observe the noise level in the classroom. How is this managed?
7. If a learner is not following instructions or is off-task, what does the teacher do? (behavior strategies)
8. What does the teacher do to reinforce positive behaviors? (behavior strategies)

Observation notes:

As I observed the classroom I noticed the different areas in the classroom for storage like the; cabinets containing the different laboratory apparatus for science experiments an example of their experiment is a bread that is placed inside a Tupperware that they are waiting to be rotten; there are also shelves containing their different educational activities; the learning aids or materials are placed on the teacher's table then to be posted in the blackboards. There are rules and regulations posted in their classroom such as no bullying and here they have the policy of honesty. Of course the students participated in making their home room rules because they are the one involved with this practice. The daily routines are: the class starts with a prayer then continues with the checking of attendance done by the home room teacher, the class discussion and when the classes end they end it with a prayer also. The seating arrangement is in the basis of alternation (boy, girl) process. The reason for this arrangement is that the students will be able to socialize well and orderly to the opposite sex. The noise level of the classroom is on its peak. The reason why is because the students are in their stage of age or in the level of exploration and expressing publicly their ideas that's why they may be a bit noisy. This noise level is managed by the teacher by talking to the students. If a learner does not follow instructions given to him or her teacher provides a disciplinary action and after the teacher asks nicely why he or she did not follow and will make the students realize that they should follow. The teacher do to reinforce positive behavior is by talking nicely to the students and being a good role model to them.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT MATRIX

Aspect of Classroom Management	Description	Effect on the Learners
Specific Areas in the Classroom	The areas in the classroom are very well organized.	The effect on the learners is that they will be easy to locate their different instruments they needed such as books and all other materials.
Classroom Rules	The classroom rules are reminded by the teacher in every point of time.	The effect on the learners is that they will be reminded of the rules so that they will not do any kind of act to oppose any of these.
Classroom Procedures	The teacher starts a little talk before the class discussion on the subject matter.	The effect on the learners is that the students will feel at ease and more comfortable with the class.
Daily Routines	The teacher starts the class with a prayer then a review of the discussion they discussed last time.	The effect on the learners is that their last discussion will be refreshed in the mind of the learners.
Seating Arrangement	The seating arrangement is arranged alternately from boy to girl.	The effect on the learners is that they will be able to socialize with the opposite sex role.
Handling misbehavior/ off-task behavior	The teacher gives precise disciplinary action to the student if they make a particular mistake.	The effect on the learners is that they will be able to know their limitations and become aware of behaving inside the class.
Reinforcement of Positive Behavior	The teacher gives acknowledgment to every student that will do positive behavior and excellence in the class.	The effect on the students is that they will be able to strive hard to be excellent in class.

MY ANALYSIS

1. How did the classroom organization and routines affect the learners' behavior?

• The classroom organization and routines affect the learners' behavior by knowing their limitations. The minds of the students are set that they rules to be followed because of this they will practice their proper attitude and act politely.

2. What should the teacher have in mind when he/she designs the classroom organization and routines? What theories and principles should you have in mind?

• The teacher should have in mind that he or she mingles with students so that he or she will be more careful while making the set of routines, the should make it to a point that the students are oriented and they participate while making the rules. And also the teacher should prepare ice breakers so that the students will not get bore and will retain the interest in studying.

3. Which behavior strategies were effective in managing the behavior of the learners? In motivating students? Why were they effective?

• Behavior strategies effective in managing the behavior of the learners are by doing positive reinforcement. The teacher should play the characteristics of being caring and should motivate the learners to pursue their efforts in their study by giving rewards or incentives if the student performs excellence in class whether academically or non-academically by doing this so, the students will strive hard, will actively participate and will perform very well.

MY REFLECTIONS

1. Imagine yourself organizing your classroom in the future. In what grade/year level do you see yourself? What routines and procedures would you consider for this level? Why?

• As I imagine myself organizing my classroom in the future, I see that I will be handling Grade 1 students. If I want to handle Grade 1 students I will do routines or procedures that will surely suit their age range. For example when the class starts I will teach them to pray first before anything else, I would also imply that there would be story telling session so I can get their interest and slowly going to the subject matter in a way that they will not feel hazard but instead they will enjoy. I could also conduct ice breakers, a little dance step and singing a song to stimulate the energy of the students. And I will also provide few minutes for rest because during this stage of the learners they will surely get tire as time and activities pass by. Rest minutes will help them to regain their energy.

2. Make a list of the rules are likely to implement in this level. Why would you choose these rules?

• Uniform of the students should be worn properly.
• School I.D. should always be present.
• Boys should observe proper haircut.
• Boys and Girls should observe proper hygiene all the times.
• The students should raise their hands if they want to say something.

• I choose these set of rules so that the students will observe cleanliness, and being orderly so that the students will be able to be responsible of their own being. I would also like to promote unity inside the classroom and good relationship between myself and the students.

3. Should learners be involved in making the class rules? Why?

• Yes. For the main reason that they will be the one who will benefited and will follow these set of rules. And they should also be aware of these rules so that they will know their limitations.