CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Interview a teacher about the rules and procedures in his or her classroom.
“The teacher I had my interview with, Mr. Youssef Sayah, is a homeroom teacher (teaches English, Sciences, and math) at Brummana High School for grade 3 and a social studies teacher for grade 4 and 5.”

a. What are they?
At the elementary level, we have five fixed rules for each class. They are:
1. Enter the class quietly, take your seat, and get ready to work.
2. Raise your hand for permission to speak.
3. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
4. Respect your neighbors and their properties.
5. Follow the teacher's directions.

I also have some personal rules for toilet visits, moving from the seats without permission, calling out answers out of turn, doing homework, cleanliness, group work....

Whoever breaks a rule gets a warning on a special behavior chart that tracks the number of misbehaviors the student committed. For the first breakage, the student gets a verbal warning that is noted on the chart. The same applies to the second breakage. As for the third, the student gets to miss his recess. Fourth, he's sent to the Head of Section. Fifth, the parents get contacted for a meeting. Also note that a note goes to the parents any time a student misses a recess.

The above-mentioned rules are for misbehavior, but at Brummana High School, we emphasize positive reinforcement and rewarding for good behavior. That's why you see many students get stickers on their Positive Behavior Chart, and for every 15 stickers, gift is given.

b. How are they communicated to students?
From the very first day, the students are reminded of these rules and the consequences and are explained to newcomers. We also have some special class activities that would reinforce the rules and encourage the students towards exhibiting good behavior. The rules are also communicated through daily routine in our circle time and advisory sessions. We talk about the effect of misbehavior in class and what it does to the students' learning as well as good behavior and its assets.

c. What are the biggest problem areas?
I can say that most misbehavior stems from the students' excitement to answer or take part in an activity which makes them break our second rule. There are no other major problems.

d. How have these changed over time?
Well, the rules are fixed and set by the school, so there's no change in the headlines. However, their approach differs from one year to the other depending on the class size, quality of students, special school events etc.........
Reflecting in a few words to what we’ve talked about in the course, I believe that he is an authoritative teacher where the students are given a second chance and they are aware about the consequences of their misbehavior, moreover the positive reinforcement process they follow permits the students to know that they care about him/her.