Throughout my years of teaching music I have struggled to enforce classroom management. I have found that while teaching students one-on-one In prefer to listen build off of the student’s thoughts, following their natural thought process instead of trying to force them to match my thought process. This is something that can be done when teaching a few students but can easily cause chaos when you increase the number of students.
Last term’s observations showed me a lot of different classroom management styles but I struggled with one’s that were too restrictive, it seemed to take creativity and independence away from the students. Sometimes the best learning happens when students have the flexibility to build on their own ideas, but if a room is too hectic it can overwhelm students and loss their engagement. While teaching a creative subject like music I have witnessed how vital engagement, creativity, and independence is for the learner to reach their full potential.
Engagement opens students’ minds to the lesson, they are far less likely to learn if they are not engaged. It helps the student focus on intent and purpose, which is part of the communicating core competency. The ability to engage in and follow conversations are skills we use everyday.
Creativity allows unique thought processes and gives space for new ideas, for all of us to learn from each other. Creative thought is one of our curriculum’s core competencies, I want to ensure there is aways room for this in my classroom.
Independence helps students develop self regulation, personal identity, and is essential in developing the core competency of personal awareness and responsibility. If a student can develop personal awareness, they can advocate for what they need in their learning.
As I approach my scan, I wonder about management. Can a teacher maintain a respectful atmosphere that will foster learning without being controlling and inhibiting potential?
How can a teacher best maintain classroom management to be engaging for students while allowing for independence and creative thinking?