Here are the instructions for Week 9:
This week there is only one page which is divided into three connected topics.
First of all you need to listen to Roz’ s lecture, read the text (ch 13) and then the PDF of a US teacher report.
- As a warm up and a discussion starter, consider the elements of this U.S. Report. Do you think that a similar report could be written about schools in your State? (consider the headings in the Report like “Degraded School Culture” and “Punitive, Reactive Approach to Discipline” etc). Have you any evidence for your opinion- perhaps a newspaper report? Sometimes Teachers’ Union organizations report on issues of school culture and discipline. What do you think constitutes a school culture? Can you find any material to support your views?
- From your own perspective and experience as a school student or a parent or as a participant/employee in a school environment do the contents of this report bear any relationship to your own or to your children’s school experiences? Give an example or respond to someone elses anecdote and say what you would have done if you had been the class teacher. Bear in mind the lecture you have listened to and the reading you have done and refer to it where you can. Before you blog, think through the implications of your imagined actions on the child, the teacher, the parent, the administration and the school culture as a whole. Bloggers can comment on these scenarios and make further suggestions if they wish.
Towards the end of this week’s blogging- say Monday or Tuesday, consider the following question together:
- Why do you think that sound classroom management is important? As a result of your reading, viewing and discussion so far, what elements do you believe a teacher should consider when planning for a positive, happy and effective classroom?
Your 500 word journal reflection should be about something that you have learned this week through your reading, discussion and interaction on this blog. Place it on your wiki by midnight, 2nd February, WST.