Classroom management and engagement work together seeing as they are both required before proper learning can begin. When establishing ones classroom management, there are specific things that one must consider in order to ensure that it is as effective as possible. A teacher must consider how the two work together, how they will be established, and how the students culture will impact the classroom culture. When all three are considered, the rules apply to all and can lead to engagement that is authentic.
The most common way that engagement and classroom management are linked is with students behavioral engagement (Emmer & Sabornie, 2015). For example, students are on task, showcase effort, and persevere when things get tough (Emmer & Sabornie, 2015). Personally, I think that this is the foundation of engagement, and it is done by setting expectations for students. If students know that they are expected to at least try the work that is placed in front of them, they are more likely to attempt the work and continue to try to get it right (Emmer & Sabornie, 2015). Perseverance can only be taught if teachers encourage mistakes and offer skills to learn from mistakes. This is yet another way that engagement and classroom management work together; emotionally, students should feel comfortable in the class that they are in. They should feel enthusiastic and interested. Once they do, a teacher can captivate them with whatever material they present to them.
Establishing procedures, routines, and expectations changes depending on the grade level that one is working with, but essentially, it requires a lot of repetition and consistency all across the board. Repetition will allow students to see how the same rule should be applied in different scenarios, and also gives the teacher the opportunity to showcase how the same rule applies all throughout. In The Handbook of Classroom Management, they state: “Repetition, cueing, and coaching are necessary to transform discrete skills into socially competent and responsible behavior across different situations” (2015). Consistency is just as important and can be the difference between ineffective and effective classroom management. If a teacher is not able to keep consistent standards, students will quickly catch on that they are not necessarily required to uphold these standards. Sometimes they are applicable, while other times they can bend the rules and get away with it. Though consistent standards are important, it is crucial that teachers recognize that not all students will be able to meet the same standards.
While there are some standards that can apply to all students such as, do your personal best, two students personal bests may look completely different. A students culture, family structure, and ability may affect their ability to participate or engage in the classroom. As a teacher, it is crucial that you consider students cultures when devising classroom rules. Personally, I have found that the “look me in the eyes” rule has been hit or miss. Within some cultures, children are not supposed to look adults in the eyes as it is a sign of disrespect; some students may be practicing this at home and having it be a standard in the classroom may conflict with their personal beliefs. Similarly, a students family structure may impact their ability to practice these standards outside of the classroom. Students may have absent parents, be preoccupied with other tasks, or they simply don’t have the same structure as they do in the classroom. Parent engagement may not always be an option, which is why it is important to translate some of their expectations into real life scenarios they can apply on their own. A students ability can also hinder their ability to follow classroom rules. A learning disability may hinder their ability to perform the same academically, while a behavioral disorder may impact their overall behavior and emotional ability. A situation like this may require the assistance of a special education teacher, and varied depending on the student.
Engagement and classroom management go hand in hand. Classroom management can ensure that students are engaged through the task by encouraging them to participate and achieve their personal best. Yet a teacher must be able to provide tools that allow students to learn from their mistakes. The most effective way to establish rules and expectations is through repetition and consistency; with these two, students can see that the rules are to be taken serious and will be enforced throughout their time in the classroom. Yet it is important that the expectations work with the students cultures, family dynamics, and ability. By doing so, all students are welcomed in the classroom and proper learning can begin.
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