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Running Head: Payano’s Classroom Management Philosophy

Payano’s Classroom Management Philosophy

Tara Payano

CSU, Chico
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Running Head: Payano’s Classroom Management Philosophy

Classroom Management Philosophy

According to Wong and Wong (2009), classroom management is “all of the things a

teacher does to organize students, space, time, and materials so student learning can take place”

(p.83). Wong and Wong (2009) also report that “classroom management is the most important

factor governing student learning” (p. 80). If classroom management is the most important

factor, then it merits time spent discovering what are best practices for a teacher and his or her

class. My own classroom management philosophy is based on Jim Fay and Foster Cline’s Love

and Logic as well as Haim Ginott’s Cooperation through Communication.

Theorists

Love and Logic is a classroom management philosophy (as well as a parenting

philosophy) that

“allows adults to be happier, empowered, and more skilled in the interactions with
children. Love allows children to grow through their mistakes. Logic allows children to
live with the consequences of their choices. Love and Logic is a way of working with
children that puts teachers back in control, teaches children to be responsible, and
prepares young people to live in the real world, with its many choices and consequences”
(Love and Logic Institute, Inc. Accessed on the internet)
More simply stated, it is logical consequences and rewards for behavior. For example, if a

student misbehaves in his group then he or she will have to sit by themselves until they are able

to work well within the group. Another example is when a student behaves well and they receive

some sort of recognition (stickers, points, prizes, etc). Think of it as the natural action/reaction

relationship that adults experience in their lives (negative consequences for negative actions, and

positive recognition for positive actions).

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Running Head: Payano’s Classroom Management Philosophy

Ginott’s classroom management philosophy is based on communication. Through

communication he used a unique combination of compassion and boundary setting. He believed

that showing respect for children’s feelings while setting limits on their behavior was important

because at the heart of his method is the recognition that denying feelings makes them more

intense and confused. (Ginott, Haim G. Accessed on the internet). Many of the ideas in both

philosophies overlap. One idea that overlaps is Ginott’s idea of expressing sane messages. This

overlaps with Fay and Cline’s idea of showing love in the sense of separating the student’s

behavior from their person. This is the idea of treating the behavior and not the student. (You

are bad versus you are making bad decisions). Another area the two overlap is Fay and Cline’s

Logic aspect. This overlaps with Ginott’s idea of building cooperation. An environment of

cooperation leads to student being more responsible for their learning; an idea supported by Fay

and Cline’s Logic philosophy.

Application of Theories

As my understanding of these philosophies grow, so does my strategies for classroom

management. In my classroom students will be organized through many different strategies.

With younger children I have used the color system, as well as group points. With older children

I usually lean towards group points, especially if my class has few involved parents. If there are

few involved parents, the color system can be less effective, because there is no reinforcement of

consequences at home for color changes. The color system means each student has some marker

marking what color they are on. Each color has a consequence; the first move losing some part

of recess, the second move having to write a letter home regarding behavior, while losing all of

recess and the third move having to visit and/or write a letter to the principal describing behavior

and how they will change it. It is important to remember that this system is for behavior only.
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Running Head: Payano’s Classroom Management Philosophy

Small disturbances would fall under the love and logic approach. If you constantly break

pencils, then you won’t be able to use one or you will need to bring your own or if you

constantly bother the other members of your group, then you will sit alone.

I also organize the students by having them sit in groups. I prefer small groups because I

have mostly taught EL’s (English Learners) and having them sit in small groups provides more

support for their learning. I try to use heterogeneous groups in all the groupings I do. I also try

to change the groups at least monthly. Usually there is some sort of whole class incentive as

well. I have done marble jars before where the whole class earns marbles and when they reach

the top of the container we have a marble party. However, my favorite is writing the letters to

spell popcorn on the board as they earn them and when they get them all we have a popcorn

party. Popcorn is a cheap and healthy snack. All of these strategies to organize students depend

on the class dynamics, the parents, the school policies, as well as the district policies.

Depending on how much space is available, I organize my classroom with different areas

for different topics. I usually have a math corner where math games and activities are located. I

also have a reading corner where books and language arts games or activities are located

(including a listening center). Students are usually allowed to be in these areas when they have

finished their work or during center time. If it is available, I also have a technology area where

the computers are located. I believe in sharing in all regards, so all materials are kept together

and shared appropriately. This gives the students the ability to practice sharing and working

cooperatively (ask before borrowing, being patient while someone uses what you need, using

please and thank you, etc). This means another area is designated for materials. I also use boxes

for turning in papers. This way I only have to write it on the board or say it and the students

know exactly where their papers or assignments go. My desk is really just another area to store
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Running Head: Payano’s Classroom Management Philosophy

materials I might need for teaching. It is usually at the back or side of the classroom and against

the wall.

Time is organized usually however the school policy states it will be. Some schools

organize time around subject areas and others around work time (check out Expeditionary

Learning Schools at http://www.elschools.org/aboutus/index.html). However, to make the most

use of time, I try to use activities where the students are sharing in partners and doing small

group activities. I like to use many cooperative learning strategies. I usually have a signal for

transition time as well as clean up time; for younger children it is a song and for older children a

bell or light bulb. I also assign every student in the class a job (yes, it is challenging to think up

30 jobs!) as well as have weekly rotating jobs for each member of the group (group leader,

materials coordinator, administrative assistant, time keeper, etc). This allows me to be able to

focus on the actual teaching and learning of material and know that my classroom will continue

to function without my presence.

Conclusion

Through all of my experiences in the classroom, I have learned that most of my

effectiveness as a teacher is determined by the amount of effort and work I put into my

classroom before the children walk through the door (cited by Wong & Wong, 2009). Much of

my classroom management also depends on the dynamics of the students I am working with.

Some classes require more behavior structure, while others more academic structure. I believe

one of the most important qualities of an educator is adaptability. A teacher must always be

trying to find which classroom management strategies help most of the students succeed, even if

it takes the whole school year to figure out.

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Running Head: Payano’s Classroom Management Philosophy

References

Ginott, Haim G. (2002) Between Parent and Child. September 22, 2009, from:

www.betweenparentandchild.com/index.php?s=content&p=Haim

Love and Logic Institute, Inc. (1997). Frequently Asked Questions. September 22, 2009, from:

http://www.loveandlogic.com/faq.html#whatis

Purdue University Online Writing Lab (OWL) (Sept 2009). APA Formatting and Style Guide.

Retrieved Sept 25, 2009, from http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/.

Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (2009). The First Days of School: How to be an Effective Teacher.

Mountain View CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.