Which Classroom Manager Are You?
The way you manage your classroom has a lot to do with you style of disciplining. Find out what style you tend to use and how this affects your students.
1. In my classroom, I…
a. Let the children do whatever they want because it’s too difficult to make them do what I ask.
b. Do not care what the children do as long as I can deliver the lesson.
c. Am the boss and whatever I say should be followed.
d. Make sure the rules are followed, but I know there will be days when I need to be more flexible.
2. My classroom rules are…
a. Established, but seldom followed.
b. Made up as we go.
c. Rigid and cannot be bent.
d. Established, but negotiable.
3. When the children misbehave, I…
a. Let them get away with it as long as I have enough time to give them their assignments.
b. Blame them and make sure they know that they were wrong.
c. Take it very personally and make sure I take control of the situation.
d. Realize that it may not be my fault and try to find out what may be causing this.
4. My students are mostly…
a. Directionless.
b. Indifferent.
c. Defiant.
d. Able to control themselves.
5. When playing or working together, my students are…
a. Timid.
b. Prone to emotional outbursts.
c. Lacking in social skills.
d. Cooperative.
6. In terms of school performance, my students…
a. Show no interest in success.
b. Are poor performers.
c. Need lots of stimulation in order to do something.
d. Work hard to accomplish tasks.
7. as a teacher, I believe that…
a. I am responsible for making sure my students get at least the basics they need so we can get through the day.
b. My students owe it to me to behave appropriately because I am doing them a great favor by educating them.
c. My students should do everything I tell them even without understanding why because I am the boss in the classroom.
d. My students will have good days and off days and I must be sensitive to these so I can react appropriately.
RESULTS:
If you answered…
Mostly As: You are Permissive.
You are very accommodating, but you are not in charge of the classroom. You also have few requirements for your students.
The Outcome: Children turn out to have no direction, are hesitant and have no self-confidence, and do not feel like they can achieve anything.
Mostly Bs: You are Rejecting-Neglecting.
You have no middle ground and either reject children or neglect them when they exhibit negative behavior. You do not really care about the child as long as your agenda is met. You can resort to ignoring the children or berating them and refusing them everything.
The Outcome: Children become confused and emotional problems arise. They also perform poorly in school because they do not know when they will be ignored, rejected, or if they will even be praised.
Mostly Cs: You are authoritarian. You always have to hold the power in the classroom and demand that the children do as you say. Negotiation is not an option and children can never question your authority. Punishment is usually how you manage negative behavior.
The Outcome: Children become rebellious, lack in social skills, and will always rely on other people.
Mostly Ds: You are authoritative. You are firm and gentle at the same time and realize that children behave in certain ways for different reasons. Your rules are fixed and determined, but can be negotiated to avoid power struggles. When children behave negatively, you apply logical consequences instead of punitive punishment methods and do not go on power trips.
The Outcome: Children learn to be responsible for themselves (their things, actions, tasks, etc.), they work well with others, are independent, and can control their emotions, actions, and wants.
With disciplining children, balance is key. You have to find the right mix of firmness and flexibility and let go of the belief that you will always have to be right. Give children more credit and believe in their ability to measure up to what is expected of them, provided that the expectations are appropriate, of course. If you show children respect and a positive attitude, you will get the same in return.
