Classroom Control for Small Group Instruction
Effective Classroom Management Strategies for Independent Learning
Oct 10, 2009
Today, effective classroom management in the elementary grades involves small group instruction, centers, and student-teacher conferencing. Best practice seldom advocates lecture in front of the entire class.
With this in mind, teachers need to find effective classroom management strategies that allow them to maintain classroom control while their classes work independently. Jeff Paulson – an elementary teacher, instructional coach, and educational consultant – works with teachers to improve instructional practice. He has also contracted with the U.S. Department of Education to conduct nationwide professional development for teachers. Here, he shares some classroom management techniques to keep students engaged in learning and maintain classroom control during small group instruction.
Classroom Control During Small Group Instruction
Many schools advocate centers, which are self-guided activities students rotate through while a smaller group works with the instructor. While Paulson promotes small group instruction, he has a few reservations when it comes to centers in his upper elementary classroom. “Centers interrupt the students’ thought processes, they limit choices, and they are a lot of work for the teacher,” he explains.
Instead of centers, Paulson uses standards-based projects to engage his students and maintain classroom control. “I set up projects and assignments for the kids – generally on a weekly basis,” he remarks. “The kids work on their projects throughout the week, often in collaborative teams. If they need the computer, they sign up for it and use it. If they need the library, they work out a time to visit the librarian. I call my small groups for writing conferences, guided reading, and word work. When they are not working with me, they are working on their weekly assignments or projects.”
Effective Classroom Management Techniques for Introducing Projects
Paulson makes certain every project he assigns is standards-based. Busy work to maintain classroom control during small group instruction is not an effective classroom management strategy.
When it comes to project instructions, Paulson makes certain his expectations are clear. “I set up the rubrics ahead of time,” he explains. “I give these to the students before they start the project so they know exactly what is expected.”
Effective Classroom Management Techniques to Help Students Work Independently
“When possible,” Paulson says, “I like to set up my projects so one stage must be completed correctly before students can go on to the next stage. This way, the project almost grades itself. Completion of the project pretty much means students have utilized every skill I wanted them to explore.”
For a simple example of this classroom management technique, if Paulson is working with a small group on reading skills, other students may be preparing a blog entry for posting. These students will first type their entries into Microsoft Word and deal with any red or green marks indicating spelling or grammatical errors.
In another example, as students explore perimeter and area to design and build a model home, Paulson uses his own excel spread sheet to let students check answers. Groups type in each room’s length and width along with their calculations for area and perimeter. If their work is correct, the screen turns green, if not, red. When a group gets a red screen they know to try their work again. After two red screens, Paulson steps in and addresses the problem.
To complete this project, students use their plans and calculations to “purchase” the exact amount of foamboard to build the house. If they end up with the wrong amount of foamboard, then the students have to go back and correct the error before they can proceed.
Effective Classroom Management Techniques for Grading Standards-Based Projects
Paulson has a few classroom management techniques for implementing these projects which are a big help when it comes to classroom control and grading.
When groups are collaborating on a project, the students quickly initial parts of the project to which they contributed before turning it in. Periodically Paulson asks everyone in the group to rate themselves 1 to 4 on how well, they participated in the project and also how well they made sure everyone was included. Each group member also jots down a brief description of their contribution to the project.
These effective classroom management techniques can have an enormous impact on classroom control during small group instruction. In related articles, teachers can discover how relevant learning also impacts effective classroom management techniques, how new classroom technology is an asset to this relevant learning, and tips for developing classroom control with a climate of respect.
Quotes and information gained through conversation with Jeff Paulson on October 9, 2009.
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