Problem of Practice:Problem of Practice:A Work in ProgressA Work in Progress

Dan BrunerDan Bruner

The ProblemThe Problem Setting the tone of classroom Setting the tone of classroom

management on the first day -- or period -- management on the first day -- or period -- of school.of school. How does one do it?How does one do it? How to make the tone consistent with the rest How to make the tone consistent with the rest

of the year?of the year? Any concrete methods?Any concrete methods? Can it be done with any certainty?Can it be done with any certainty?

Progress -- The ChangesProgress -- The Changes In order to enact change in the way I set the tone of In order to enact change in the way I set the tone of

my classroom management, I have adapted five key my classroom management, I have adapted five key points from my literary research.points from my literary research.

1.1. SimplificationSimplification2.2. First ImpressionsFirst Impressions3.3. Physical OrganizationPhysical Organization4.4. PlanningPlanning5.5. Engaging ContentEngaging Content

ResultsResults I taught my lesson two times with different I taught my lesson two times with different

sets of students, but the results were very sets of students, but the results were very similar.similar.

Due to the nature of the problem, it is Due to the nature of the problem, it is difficult to go by any quantitative evidence. difficult to go by any quantitative evidence.

Results: SimplificationResults: Simplification I had developed a set of key values and rules I I had developed a set of key values and rules I

saw as the fundamental issues I wanted to be my saw as the fundamental issues I wanted to be my focus.focus.

1.Students should be “highly involved” with work.2.There should be clear expectations for students.3.Little time should be wasted and distractions should be

limited.4. The climate should be work-oriented, but relaxed.

#3 made the biggest impact and ensured that the #3 made the biggest impact and ensured that the others fell into place.others fell into place.

Results: First ImpressionsResults: First Impressions Although important to consider, it becomes Although important to consider, it becomes

difficult to make any immediate changes. difficult to make any immediate changes. A new group of students often forces a A new group of students often forces a

teacher into old habits. teacher into old habits. Did not help me in that it did not create a Did not help me in that it did not create a

concrete change.concrete change.

Results: Physical Results: Physical Organizational Devices Organizational Devices

Using note cards kept assignment Using note cards kept assignment manageable.manageable.

1st trial: 18/18 assignments completed.1st trial: 18/18 assignments completed. 2nd trial: 11/12 assignments completed.2nd trial: 11/12 assignments completed.

Results: PlanningResults: Planning Creating a tangible, detailed lesson plan Creating a tangible, detailed lesson plan

enabled me to stay on track and minimize enabled me to stay on track and minimize wasted time.wasted time. Less down time.Less down time. More natural progression through learning More natural progression through learning

events.events. Ensured that other values of the classroom Ensured that other values of the classroom

were met.were met.

Results: Engaging ContentResults: Engaging Content Although difficult to quantify, students Although difficult to quantify, students

appeared to be engaged with lesson.appeared to be engaged with lesson. High assignment completion rate.High assignment completion rate. 1st trial: 8/18 students willing to share work at 1st trial: 8/18 students willing to share work at

the end of the lesson.the end of the lesson. 2nd trial: 4/12 students willing to share work 2nd trial: 4/12 students willing to share work

at the end of lesson.at the end of lesson. Informally assessed contributing factors: high Informally assessed contributing factors: high

levels of laughter, questions, comments.levels of laughter, questions, comments.

EpiphaniesEpiphanies The biggest factor appears to be in the The biggest factor appears to be in the

minimization of wasted time.minimization of wasted time. Taut planningTaut planning Limited time where students aren’t engaged in work Limited time where students aren’t engaged in work

or another aspect of the lesson.or another aspect of the lesson. Physical organizational devices.Physical organizational devices.

The best method of improvement is in the The best method of improvement is in the addition of concrete components. As with the addition of concrete components. As with the “First Impressions” concept, ideas that are not “First Impressions” concept, ideas that are not easily translated into tangible changes make easily translated into tangible changes make little impact (at least for me).little impact (at least for me).

Student WorkStudent Work

Student WorkStudent Work

Student WorkStudent Work