Classroom Management with Long-term Research Projects

[Elizabeth Wright]

By far the most difficult thing for teaching (for me) is classroom management. I always find that the more organized I am and the clearer my instructions and expectations are, the fewer discipline problems I have because students are on task. I also notice that management can be more difficult with on-going projects because students have to do more self-monitoring when teachers are attending to small groups or individuals. It's important to give class time to work on projects, but students can take advantage more easily during "work time" than during whole-class instruction. Does anyone have any tips for keeping students on-task, especially when the going gets tough in their research?

Elizabeth Wright

[Jane]

Yes, Elizabeth, keeping researchers on task IS a challenge! I roam around the library and visit the noisy tables. I ask questions about their topics and research, look at their notes and bibliographies, comment on books they have brought in from public libraries, etc. After awhile, the "social conversations" stop as I corral them back from other greener pastures! It does require more physical effort, but I also enjoy having one-on-one time with students. Some teachers are very good at monitoring the noise level and others are not. Thus, if there is total chaos, I resort to asking the teacher to tone down his/her students.

[Elizabeth Wright]

Jane,

Thanks for giving me advice based on your experience! Great tips about circulating and asking engaging questions. As a teacher I've told students that I will be coming around at the end of the period to give each student a grade on their progress that day. This usually helps to keep them productive, too.

Elizabeth