Laura Donaghey Case Study 1 2nd Grade

Miss English needs some help with her classroom. To me, I think the children are acting this way because they don’t know the rules and procedures of the classroom. They are acting out because they don’t have any control. Before it even gets to this point, I would take the time to get to know the children the first couple weeks of school. They need to have an idea of how the classroom functions everyday and in order to do that you can have to explain to them how it works. I would take into consideration what they want out of the classroom experience and I would include their ideas into the SOPs. They also need to get to know each other and understand that while the other kids in their class are their friends, they are also their classmates and need to know how to learn and grow together. It is going to be a more enjoyable experience to be comfortable around your peers if you also have boundaries with them. By making a shared vision for the year, this allows everyone to be on the same page.

Starting at the 6th day of school with Miss English, I would explain to her that before you can teach the kids anything, they have to know what your rules and expectations are in the classroom with her and their classmates. They don’t understand that this space is a learning environment and there are certain places to play. I would advise her to get the children together and explain to them that their behavior is not going to be tolerated and ask what ways they think this behavior can improve. By making them think about their actions rather than discipling them, it holds them accountable for what they are doing and what they can do to make it better. They may know that this is not the time or place to be rough with each other or the time to play and

yell but they don’t know that Miss English is in charge. She doesn’t seem in charge because I bet if their parent or guardian was in charge of this classroom, they would not be rolling on the floor and yelling while they were trying to talk. By yelling at them and telling them to be quiet and to do their jobs, this doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense to them because they may not understand what doing their job is. You have to sit them down and explain to them what the rules and expectations are.

Visuals are very important to younger kids; especially 2nd graders. 2nd graders may be able to read but they may need some assistance. By creating visuals with pictures and words, this makes it so that they can refer to this when they are unsure. There needs to be an SOP for everything you do with kids at this age. I would stop what I’m doing at this point and gather the kids together and explain that this behavior is not going to be tolerated and ask them to brainstorm ways this behavior will not happen again. By including them in the process, it makes them feel heard and that their wishes are valued. Also, when you create these SOP’s as a group, it makes the kids all feel united and that they are accomplishing this task together.

Overall, I think it is important to get to know your students and have them understand the basics of your classroom. By setting clear boundaries and making SOP’s together, it allows them to feel like they have control over their day at school. You can still have fun and learn when there are procedures set in place and they have to know the right time and place to talk and fool around with each other. You need to get to know your students from day one and have them feel like you are comfortable with each other but also still know that you are authority. They have to realize that you are in control of the classroom and that it is up to them to decide what they need from you.