Since the beginning of the class, we have had discussions about how to manage a classroom effectively and how to manage misbehaviour when it comes up in a classroom. Chapters 14 & 15 in B&S teaches us how to deal with extreme behaviours through the constructing of both formal and informal contracts.
After having read both the chapters in B&S, I feel that informal contracts are extremely useful in a classroom. Even though I don't have a lot of experience with children misbehaviour in a school setting, I sure feel that informal contracts can be really helpful for resolving issues in a classroom when the teacher is constantly interrupted in a lesson. Informal contracts give students the space to express themselves more fully without having to worry about the power struggle that might seem stressful to deal with infront of their classmates.
B&S gave 2 examples of informal contracts, one being in class and one being out of class. Out of the two types of informal contracts, I feel that speaking to the student outside of class is more beneficial. Having to deal with the misbehaving student in class might have disadvantages as students probably don't like to be singled out in front of other classmates and don't like to be acknowledged by their classmates as the "weaker" one during teacher and student one-on-one discussion. Power struggles are a main issue (as talked about in group discussion last week) because everyone, including parents, teachers, and students, all seek to be in charge at all times.
As compared to the in class informal contracts, I feel that out of class informal contracts help to bring out the true nature of the student without embarrassing them. Even though there is the issue of making sure a staff drops by to witness the event every now which might cause a hassle (to make sure the student doesn't charge the teacher for an offense the teacher did not commit), all-in-all, I feel that it is the teacher's responsibility to try to understand their students and create an understanding towards why students choose to act the way they do. With the contracts and fully detailed examples presented in B&S, I now feel that I am a little more prepared to becoming a future teacher.
1 comment:
Hello Krystal,
I agree that informal contracts are a sensitive way to deal with classroom disruptions without falling into a power struggle. I really identified with B&S when they state that "the situation should never deteriorate to the point of anger on the part of the teacher. If it does the teacher is in error not the student." (Pg 307)
After reading the burnout article one has to ask how can teachers stay emotionally healthy so they ensure they are a positive influence? I think the stress of curriculum often overwhelms teachers and they get caught reacting (feelings) rather than responding (thoughts). Perhaps knowing our own triggers is the first step?
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