In my classroom I utilized two classroom management tools, these were; Brain Breaks and Call and responses. according to NSW Government (2020) Brain breaks help learners regain their focus by increasing blood circulation, elevate their moods, improve behaviour and simply gives them a chance o get out of their chairs. I have done many different kinds of Brain Breaks but for my grade 7 class I have found that what they enjoy most is music and dancing, therefore I would put on a YouTube video with dance moves that they would have to follow!
NSW Government (2020) explains that having physical Brain Breaks allows for learners to have a better and more positive learning experience which I witnessed firsthand.
As mentioned in previous blogs my class is a wonderful jumble of ADHD, dyslexia and dyscalculia so working on any topic can become frustrating and tiresome so the use of Dance Brain Breaks really got them back in the mood to work and to focus.
I also used Brain Breaks as a reward system so if learners got to a certain point in their content OR they showed me that they were working diligently and put in the effort then they would also be rewarded with a Brain Break.
** To find Brain Break dances search "Just Dance for classrooms" and always make sure you watch the song throughout before to ensure there is no profanity or inappropriate dance moves.
NSW Government. 2020. Brain breaks for cognitive wellbeing, 04 August 2020. [online]. available at: https://education.nsw.gov.au/student-wellbeing/whole-school-approach/wellbeing-framework-for-schools/cognitive-wellbeing-strategies/brain-breaks-for-cognitive-wellbeing [accessed 27 September 2022].
The second Classroom Management tool I decided to use was not only simple but highly effective and became almost like a game. Getting inspiration from previous teaching experiences where I would merely explain my call and responses and from Foxwell Forest (2022) I decided to merge the two and come up with a new call and response method using cards that I would give out to the learners that they keep in their desks.
Foxwell Forest (2022) explains that Call and responses are important for grabbing learners attention through routine and structure where they will be used to the same structure all-year-round. These for me became a much more enjoyable classroom management tool because we didn't take time out of our lesson to regain focus but learners knew that it meant it was time to listen/ or to work.
What I found was the most beneficial using call and response was that it took away a frustrated teacher, having gone through a difficult time during teaching experience because of personal reasons I did not want to become frustrated and start to shout to try get my learners attention, so this was a way that kept both parties happy. I believe that once I have my own classroom I will be able to implement these from day one and they will become second nature to learners and to myself as they did already in the short time I was there.
Foxwell Forest. 2022. 6 Effective Classroom Management Tools, 30 August 2022. [online]. available at: https://foxwellforest.com/6-effective-classroom-management-tools/ [accessed 27 September 2022].
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