My geometry class is a pretty small classroom compared to the rest of the periods. There are 10 students. It is a good mixture of high achievers and lower achievers. There are some talkative students and then those who you have to force to participate. Overall, it hits pretty much both ends of the spectrum. I know I'm not supposed to pick favorites but they are the most well-behaved and engaging class out of all the classes I observe. I would say that students are comfortable getting up and presenting problems or work in front of the class. We have gotten in a habit of doing a daily problem that the students are randomly chosen to go to the board and explain. I do have this one student James* who I constantly have to prompt to get his work started. He will not do his work unless you stand over his shoulder. It depends on the day to whether my students are energetic or quiet. Some days they are tired and don't really participate. If the class starts out energetic then they do as well. I can tell there are outside causes that affect their personalities or behavior on a certain day.
The desks are spread out in groups of 4 around the classroom. This class works well in groups and isn't off task or talking too much. If they are not focused on a particular day because of someone in the group it is easy to move that student to another group because of all the extra seats. I haven't had any discipline issues in this class. I have one student has been absent several times since school began. It is hard to get her caught up on what we learned when she misses sometimes every other day. Lately, we have been focusing on a short lecture and then individual and group work. I usually monitor the room, answer students' questions, and question the students on their process. This is my 1B geometry class that I will teach until May! :)
*Names have been changed
I did not even think about grouping students would affect your classroom climate but that is a great point.
ReplyDeleteAlthough we aren't supposed to pick favorites, I have my favorites too.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of doing a daily problem and having random kids go up to the board and explain it. It keeps them guessing on if they'll have to go or not and makes sure they do their work. I love it!
ReplyDeleteMy class is a lot like yours in the aspect that it seems like either the entire class is either energetic or tired. I feel like they decide before class how they are going to act.
ReplyDeleteI have seen this trend too... either energetic or tired! It is great that you don't have any discipline problems! This type of class will really lend to some great activities and ways to prepare the lessons!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard not to have favorites...as along as you are not letting it show in your teaching (which I know you know:) And you have a chance to really go places with this class since you have until May.
ReplyDeleteClass size makes a difference, but not always...I wonder if it has to do with the teacher's comfort level, the students' comfort, or perhaps a combination of the two in small classes...If done effectively, groupwork seems to set the tone that this class is about cooperation.
I definitely don't let it show in my teaching my favorite class. There are aspects of each class that I enjoy :) I think the teacher's comfort has a great deal to do with the students' comfort. I think looping is a great strategy to use in schools!
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