Classroom management (practice)

I would like to share with you my reflection on classroom management. Children's behaviour may be challenging; therefore, it is important to know some strategies and try them out. During the initial interview with my mentor teacher, I found out that the teacher decided to communicate behavioural problems in Polish. In the class, there is only one child from abroad and the rest of students are from Poland. Therefore, the teacher's preference is to deal with discipline problems in Polish. 

Classroom rules are displayed and the teacher often refers to them. Today's morning, children were talking about rules because the teacher notices that yesterday one of the children said kurde on the sports ground. The teacher said 'I don't want to hear in any more. I am talking to all of you, everyone needs to remember it. What is the first classroom rule? We do not say bad words. If you need, try to say something different like 'motyla noga' or 'zwiędły liść'. One child shared that is using 'kurczaczek' instead. 

Then, children were mentioning some other rules :

• We respect others.
• We listen to all teachers.
• What do you say when you meet a teacher on the corridor? - Good morning!

Now, let me share some of the disciple problems which I observed during my practice. The examples illustrate what the teacher said as a respond to children's behaviour.

• 'The rule number six, we learn cooperation. We work with each other.'
• 'Why you didn't hear? Because you were taking. What is the rule? We are not talking when someone else is talking.'
• 'One more warring (there were already 2) and I will take away your break. It was an agreement.'
• 'You are not in the orchestra and you are not playing on the trumpet.'
• 'Get off the windowsill.'
• One child said kurde, the teachers responded 'I don't want this word in my classroom. If your parents agree it is fine, but not in the class.'
• 'What happened to your lips? Go and wash it.'
• 'There is still a lesson, sit down, please.'
• 'I can't hear, one person is speaking at the time, it is the rule. I still can't hear, can you speak louder?'
• 'If you don't want to work with us, you will need to do it at home. What is your decision?' 

The child decided not to join the group work and was sitting at the desk. After a while, the teacher came to the child to talk about it and encourage the person to cooperation. However, it did not work. The child still preferred not to join. After a longer person of time, the child change the decision and said 'I can do it'. Then, the teacher responded 'I am happy that you made that decision. Please, join your group. You still have four minutes'.

As you can see, while working with children, there may be many discipline problems. I think the teacher is dealing very well with any undesirable behaviour by communicating with children and reminding them about rules. The teacher tends to say 'finger up, finger down, finger on your lips', as well as 'hop hop' to calm down children and get their attention. 

What are your ideas for dealing with behavioural problems? Can you recommend me some attention grabbers or catchphrases which are effective in your classroom?

Angelika :)