Journal Articles on Classroom Management

Journal Articles on Classroom Management
Cameron T.

MAT 521-Maintaining an Effective Learning Climate
Martin Lewis

June 3, 2003

Journal Articles on Classroom Management
Article #1: The article "Behavior Management: Making it Work in Middle and Secondary Schools" by Kathryn M. Obenchain and Shannon S. Taylor discuss some tips and techniques for handling behavior issues in the classroom in an effective manner. From reading this article I was shocked to learn that a big factor in teachers deciding to resign early is due to student behavior. According to this article studies show that while teachers may leave the field because of low pay or societal view toward education, another reason teachers choose to leave is student behavior (Obenchain & Taylor, 2002). This article is specifically targeted at new teachers. It appears that new teachers approach teaching with concerns mainly geared towards lesson content and less towards behavior management. Many new teachers make the mistake of overlooking the fact that behavior management is vital to maintaining an effective learning environment. This article relates to today 's classroom because it helps explain why many new teachers are not staying in the field of education. This article states that the retention of new teachers is an even more serious issue, with some reports of forty percent to fifty percent of teachers leaving the field, for a variety of reasons, with in the first five years (Obenchain & Taylor, 2002). I find that information beneficial to know because it lets me know that I must put just as much time into behavior management as I do into lesson and text content.

Article #2: The article "The Significance of Congruent Communication in Effective Classroom Management" by Dave S. Brown discusses how congruent communication plays an important role in effective classroom management. This article describes congruent communication as a style of speaking that does not attack others, but instead remains harmonious with feelings being experienced (Brown, 2002). I found this article to be quite interesting because it shed light on how to maintain an effective classroom simply by communicating with students correctly. The key behind this concept is for the teacher to gain the trust of the students. Being able to trust one another is so important in maintaining a respectful relationship. Effective communication is the basis of developing an environment of mutual respect between students and teachers. The more congruent the communication is between students and teachers, the more likely students are to become willing participants in the learning process (Brown, 2002). This article relates to today 's classroom because it discusses the importance of gaining the trust of students. In today 's classroom many of our students come from environments where their idols and role models display negative behavior that is looked to as being ‘cool. ' It is also very common for the students of today to rebel against figures of authority. For many of them the only positive adults they see on a daily basis are their teachers. Since that is the case it is so important for teachers to communicate effectively with students. The ways that teachers respond both verbally and nonverbally are the initial signs that students use to determine whether they will cooperate with teachers (Brown, 2002).

Article #3: The article "Discipline without Stress, Punishments, or Rewards" by Marvin Marshal discusses the difference between classroom management and discipline. I found this article to be quite informative and interesting because I never really knew there was a difference between these two terms. This article goes into detail to discuss the differences of these two terms. I was impressed to learn that classroom management is considered the responsibility of the teacher while discipline is the responsibility of the student. The article refers to classroom management as dealing with how things are done. It entails structure, procedures, and routines to the point of becoming rituals (Marshall, 2002). Discipline, on the other hand, has to do with appropriate behavior. Although it is incumbent upon the teacher to maintain a classroom conductive to learning, a person is responsible for his or her behavior (Marshall, 2002). This article relates to today 's classroom because it sheds light on two different terms that are related but often confused with one another. For a teacher, knowing the difference between these to terms can make or break a classroom. It is important for teachers to understand the difference between the two terms and who is responsible for each before attempting to manage a classroom. As I pursue a career in teaching, I find this information to be quite beneficial to me because I now have a better understanding of what is expected of me as a teacher in regards to classroom management and what is expected of the students in regards to behavior.

References
Obenchain, K.M. & Taylor, S.S. (2002). Behavior Management: Making It Work in Middle and Secondary Schools. Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas.Brown, D.F. (2002). The Significance of Congruent Communication in Effective Classroom Management. Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas.Marshall, M. (2002). Discipline without Stress, Punishments, or Rewards. Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas.

References: Obenchain, K.M. & Taylor, S.S. (2002). Behavior Management: Making It Work in Middle and Secondary Schools. Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas.Brown, D.F. (2002). The Significance of Congruent Communication in Effective Classroom Management. Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas.Marshall, M. (2002). Discipline without Stress, Punishments, or Rewards. Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues and Ideas.