Aron A.

Helfinstine

Classroom Reflection Paper

February 16 2011
 I shadowed three different classrooms to complete my project; not only was it fun and

exciting but extremely informative as I learned so many new strategies regarding classroom

management. These new skills and techniques will further allow me to create a more orderly and

manageable classroom in the future. My findings are paragraphed below according to their

category in reference to what I feel like were the most important things I gathered from my

observations.

Classroom Arrangement – the classroom was tremendously different in all three classes I

evaluated. Primarily this was due to the age in which the class was prepared for. My third grade

class had basic principles all over the room that most elementary classes would try and inspire. I

noticed this teacher liked to use some of the latest trends regarding the cartoons kids that age

watch to help inspire learning around the classroom. My high school history class was much

different. Most of the items on walls and around the classroom had everything to do with our

American heritage; presidents, maps, important dates that expressed major turning points or

astronomical events taking place in our history constantly surrounded the students. My college

biology class – well this was tremendously overwhelming. Lab equipment, body models,

biological process maps, and too much cluttered regarding science seemed to fill the room.

Use of Technology – Technology was a hot topic in all three classes I observed. Each

shared a common-place by using a projector and computer with programs such as power point,

illustrations via the internet, and even youtube came into play! Naturally, the elementary class I

observed used much less, and seemingly the high school class used a little more. The college

class however used it the whole time and interrelated major points in the book together with the

slides. Neither of the classrooms used much technology other than what was stated above; a

T.V. and DVD player was evident in the elementary class.

 Procedures and Rules – Two of the three classes I evaluated had their instructions, plans

for the day, and even rules on the board before and during class regarding that days agenda.

(High school and Elementary). The college class of course did not have any rules or procedures

other then what was established in their class syllabus. The elementary teacher had to bring the

students attention to the board more so to keep them focused at hand on what was to be done

during their class time.

Student-Teacher Relationships – This was a very informative assessment for me as I

witnessed many different relationships between the students and teachers evaluated. I was able

to witness the teacher incorporate fellow students helping other ESL students and Special Ed

students within the classroom of the third grade class as well as the high school class. I was very

surprised how well this technique worked. I was also able to witness a trouble-maker in both the

elementary and high school classes as well as a clear warning directed to a young man who back

talked the high school teacher very rudely. The warning was disobeyed, and he was escorted

firmly to the principal’s office.

Motivational Techniques – This was by far my favorite part of this assessment. If you

remember above, I talked about how a teacher even incorporated youtube within the class. The

high school teacher allowed each of the students to email him at the beginning of the year their

favorite funniest video they ever seen on youtube. As long as the content was clean enough he

filed them away and if the students completed their assignment and task on time, at the end of

the class period he’s use this as one of his reward techniques. It worked to say the least. The

elementary teacher used a timer, a bell, and even music to help her manage and keep the young

students attention.
 In closing, this assessment really taught me a lot about management skills at different

levels of the teaching field. There was much less to manage on the collegiate level; students

were clearly instructed to come in and learn while the instructor gave the lesson. The high

school class had numerous techniques that I would strongly consider using in my field someday.

The elementary class, even though I never plan to teach students that young, probably taught me

more insight regarding management then any of the other classes I observed. I believe this was

the case due to the age; I would presume that a teacher who instructs students, especially

younger ones, would strongly consider multiple facets of organizational and management

techniques if he or she expects to instruct a classroom effectively.