My Newest Work and Classroom Management

Well, here is my final piece for ceramics three, it is the front and back of a woman that is a sort of personification of music. Tried doing this using flowing lines to symbolize rhythm and flow. I incorporated the colors in an attempt to make the piece harmonious. Let me know what you think, constructive criticism is very welcome.

OK, now on to classroom management. The problems that I have encountered with classroom management stems from a total lack of motivation in some students. It's what leads me to question my future as a teacher in fact. During my volunteer hours, I spent two whole weeks in the classroom trying to get the best feel possible for teaching. In this time period, I noticed some students, usually one or two per class of about 20 or more students that just wouldn't do anything unless you asked them constantly everyday. This also happened to be true in our UAY class, which is odd seeing as the students chose to be there.(Why you would go to something that you aren't really motivated to do in the first place when no one is forcing you is beyond me!)

Anywho, it seems that other problems like fighting and general disrespect for the classroom (peers, teachers, facilities, and rules) were not a real problem most of the time.

The only way that ever really worked that I noticed as far as motivating students was to be flexible with the lesson plan and bring forth positive reinforcement to the table. Being flexible allows students that might not be particularly interested in the current project to find another outlet that they find satisfying. It is important that the main goal of the assignment is kept in the forefront of the students mind however. The lesson should still be beneficial in the same manner as everyone else. Positive reinforcement is the next factor that worked. While it didn't work all the time, students really do enjoy a thoughtful compliment about their work. At times I find it difficult to praise some peoples efforts though. Must just be me, but it's really hard for me to compliment someone that doesn't do very much. How can you compliment a student that doesn't do anything in order to get them to get started? That is the real trick. When both of these fail, and some days they did, things fell apart in our little group which caused some verbal backlash and written obscenities. Oh well, time and practice will make things better.