Readings #4

Annie Thiese
Music 23241
9/29/11

Baur, William L. (2001). Classroom management for ensembles.

       This article is about the ways a director can manage the classroom in an ensemble setting.  The author talks about the differences between a regular classroom setting and an ensemble setting.  One thing the teacher of an ensemble should do is be prepared.  If a director is not prepared, the students will know, and there will be a greater chance of disciplinary problems.  The director should keep to a schedule each day, over which pieces they will rehearse.  If the director puts the schedule on the board, the students will be able to have their music ready, and changing pieces will be smoother.  The director should make sure students are punctual, and should be in the classroom as students arrive.  A teacher should have a disciplinary plan for when a student acts up.  This plan should include, rules for the students to follow, consequences for when a student breaks the rules, and a reward for students who follow the rules.  The consequences for breaking the rules should be related to the rule broken.
       My high school director was very efficient in his discipline and classroom management.  He always stared at the same time everyday, and expected the students  to be ready.  He never took a long time on one part in one piece of music, and he never made the class boring.  If a student was acting up, my director would not make a big deal about it, but would talk to the student after class.  The rules of the classroom were well known, and followed by everyone for the most part.  At the beginning of class, as the students were walking in, my director would talk to people about non class related topics, which helped him get to know his students.
       I agree with this article because there are many important differences in managing an ensemble as opposed to a regular class.  There are more students, which makes it harder to maintain control over everyone in an ensemble.  he students are also asked to be an active part of the lesson, whereas in other classes they can sit idly by as the teacher talks.  Students learn how to be creative and loud in an ensemble, instead of quiet and passive.
       You must be organized to manage your classroom, especially in an ensemble.  If you are unprepared and do not know your score, you will be unable to help students learn.  Students know if you are not prepared, and it will cause more discipline problems, because the students will try to take advantage of you.  If you are organized, no only will the students be more likely to listen to you, but the class will run smoothly, and the ensemble will improve greatly.
       For discipline, you must be consistent.  First you must let the students know what the rules are. To make these rules the author emphasizes using the school's guidelines.  As you tell the students the rules, you should tell them what the consequences would be if the rules are broken.  If a rule is broken, you must not be hesitant in serving the punishment.  You should also reward students who do not break the rules.  The way to reward students will differ with different age groups, and maturity levels.

Marzano, Robert J. and Jana S. (2003-2004). The key to classroom management.

       A big part of successful classrooms is the management.  The article talks about how much the relationship between a teacher and a student changes the amount of disciplinary problems.  A teacher must be respected to have authority in the class.  Teachers should show their guidance through clear rules and guidelines.  The teacher should establish clear goals for the students, and expectations for the year.  The teacher and student should learn to work as a team, and get goals accomplished together.  The teacher should get to know their students, and let the students know that they care.  Teachers should also accommodate for students with special needs, and be sure that all students are learning what they need to.
       In my experience, the best teachers I have had follow most of these guidelines.  The teachers I have had who followed these guidelines were the most effective, and had the best classes.  The students in those classes rarely acted out, and usually got their work done on time.  The teacher plays a large part in how the students succeed, and therefore the way they manage the class is important.  I learned the most in the classes with good classroom management.
       I agree with this article.  Students need discipline in their classes.  If a teacher is unable to show the students discipline, they will be less inclined to listen.  Teachers need to be able to manage their classroom in order to give their students the best of their time.  If the students respect their teacher, the class will be more effective, and the material will be easier to learn.
       The teacher should realize that they are working with the students to help them succeed.  Some teachers act as though the students are working for them, or they are working for the students.  This system will not work.  The teacher and student must work as a team to get the most out of the class.  When the student takes an active part in the class along with the teacher, it gives them a sense of pride that helps them learn what they need to learn.
       If a student is acting up in class the teacher should never start yelling or make a big deal out of the behavior.  Effective ways to stop bad behavior would be to talk to the student in the hallway, or have them call their parent.  If the teacher loses their cool in front of the students, it could make the student who is behaving badly to feel like they have won.  You should never yell at a student, because it will make them feel as though they get attention, which is usually why they behave badly.