Roland Pendleton

ED 650 Managing School Environments

Week 1 Essay













Case 1: The textbook already includes the answer for Case 1.
Case 2: I would remind Sarah of the class rule about how everyone needs to raise their hands
before they talk. I would not punish Sarah, but would continue encouraging her to focus and
listen to the teacher. I would use kindness and try to build a strong relationship with Sarah to
help her understand that instead of talking, Sarah should be quiet and listen to the teacher. I
would contact Sarahs parents to inform them of the situation. I would work with Sarahs parents
and try to not only fix the situation at school, but at home as well. Progress would probably be
slow, but slow and steady steps forward eventually leads to success.
Case 3: To deal with Joshuas behavior, I will inform Joshua about the No Teasing rule and its
consequences when broken. I would teach Joshua and his classmates to not be part of the
problem, but part of the solution. I would teach students that that teasing accomplishes nothing. I
would discipline Joshua because immediate discipline after misbehavior would greatly reduce
his urge to misbehave. However, I would make sure that the discipline is fair and not too harsh.
Case 4: I would be assertive and be sure to discipline Tom immediately after he misbehaves.
Punishments such as having him go on A Time Out and having him write an apology letter to
everyone he offended will likely be necessary. I would be firm with Tom and confidently tell
him that No means No and that his behavior will not be tolerated. I would also work with Toms
parents in fixing the misbehavior. Informing Toms parents of the situation and listening to their
advice and letting Toms parents help with discipline may achieve successful results.


Maintaining Classroom discipline is an important part of education. It is crucial for
teachers to have a well-disciplined classroom. If discipline is not maintained, misbehavior may
occur. When students misbehave, they may disrupt the entire classroom. All teachers want to
maintain discipline within their classrooms; however, not everyone knows how to do so. In order
to maintain classroom discipline, teachers need to understand both the importance of
neurologicalbased behavior and the conditions that cause misbehavior.
Learning disabilities and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder are the two most
prevalent diagnoses within neurological based behaviors (Charles, 2013, 230). According to
Charles, learning disabilities are neurobiological disorders that interfere with learning in
specific subjects or topics. . . Learning disabilities are difficulties in learning in certain areas,
especially reading, writing, and mathematics (Charles, 2013, 230). Students who have learning
disabilities acquire the disabilities at birth and are never able to outgrow the disabilities.
However, with hard work and dedication, people can learn to overcome their disabilities and
succeed.
Another common neurological based behavior is Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD). This disorder is the second most common diagnosis in NBB. It is
characterized by short attention span, weak impulse control, and hyperactivity, all of which
inhibit learning and often promote misbehavior (Charles, 2013, 232). Living with ADHD is no
easy task. It often makes some of the simplest tasks difficult. However, ADHD can be treated
and students can learn to effectively deal with ADHD. There are also many steps that teachers
can take to help students with ADHD.

In order to help students with ADHD, teachers should keep a well-organized classroom
and create a routine for students to follow. It is important that the routine contains small and easy
to remember steps. While working with students, it is important to observe how they students
within the environment. By observing students, teachers can create the optimal learning
environment by eliminating the environmental factors that are distractive. The use of visual aids
are very helpful in helping students learn. Providing students with concrete examples and
educating students through hands on activities are very helpful for children with ADHD.
In order to maintain discipline, teachers should not only understand the impact of
neurological based behaviors but should also understand the conditions that cause misbehavior.
There are twenty six different conditions that cause students to misbehave. According to Charles
(2013), these causes are organized into four different groups: casual conditions that reside in
individual students, conditions that seem to reside in peers and groups, conditions that seem to
reside in instructional environments, and conditions that seem to reside in teachers and other
school personnel.
There are ten conditions that reside in individual students which cause misbehavior. The
conditions are: unmet needs, thwarted desires, expediency, urge to transgress, temptation,
inappropriate habits, poor behavior choices, avoidance, egocentric personality, and neurological-
based behavior (Charles, 2013, 12). In order to deal with these conditions, teachers should try to
meet as many of their students needs as possible. Some of the needs cannot be met, but other
needs can easily be catered to. As teachers we should teach students that in life they wont
always get their way. Although students will almost always look for a shortcut, teachers should
educate students that sometimes the easiest path is not always the best. Sometimes the best path
is the toughest path and sometimes students will need to do things that they dont like.
In the second category of conditions that cause misbehavior, provocation and contagious
group behavior seem to reside in class peers and groups (Charles, 2013, 15). In order to
handle these conditions, teachers should work towards teaching their students to be kind to
others. Children feed off of other peoples reactions. From positive and negative reinforcement,
students would be more or less likely to misbehave. Teachers should educate students to treat
each other with respect. If students learned to treat others the way they want to be treated,
teasing and bullying would not occur. Peer pressure can also cause misbehavior.
Charles explained that four conditions that promote misbehavior are associated with
instructional environments. The conditions are physical discomfort, tedium, meaninglessness,
and lack of stimulation (Charles, 2013, 16). In order to deal with these conditions, teachers
should work towards making their students as comfortable as possible. The environment may be
too hot, too cold, or too noisy for students. In order to find the problem, teachers should ask
students about how they feel and how teachers can better cater to their students needs. Teachers
should teach their students that everything they do has a purpose. Students will not be told to do
something without a good reason. Teachers should also work towards making their lessons as
entertaining as possible. Students are less likely to misbehave when they are excited and having
fun.
Charles (2013) explained that some conditions seem to reside in teachers and other
school personnel. In order to cater to these conditions, teachers should work towards treating
everyone with respect. Teachers should be slow to anger but quick to love. Showing a temper
and talking down on students does not bring about good behavior but harms relationships with
students. It is important for teachers to always communicate with their students. Teachers should
communicate to build strong relationships. Teachers are the classroom leaders, and as leaders,
teachers need to set a good example and be good role models to their students.
In order to be good role models, teachers need to practice due diligence and act
professionally. Due diligence refers to paying close and reasonable attention to students who are
under your supervision (Charles, 2013, 27). Teachers should learn to always keep a close eye on
their students. Teachers who practice this watch over their students in order to protect them from
harm. While being diligent, teachers would keep a look out for anything suspicious. If an
incident occurs, teachers would be able to cater to the situation appropriately.
Professionalism is another important term that all teachers should master. For teachers,
the term professionalism refers to displaying the fairest, most considerate, and most ethical ways
of fulfilling the duties of the teaching position (Charles, 2013, 29). Teachers who act
professionally strive to form strong relationships with their students. Professional teachers work
to provide their students with a safe and fun learning environment. Teachers try to make sure that
the environment is the best possible environment that promotes learning.
Maintaining classroom discipline may be difficult, but teachers should always give their
best effort. Even though a single child may seem to not make a difference in a teachers life, that
teacher may make a difference in that childs life. How teachers treat their students is very
important. Being there for students and helping their students overcome their struggles is
important. It is always important for students to know that they have someone whom they can
trust and always count on. Most of all, teachers should strive towards building strong
relationships and encouraging students to reach for the stars.

References
Charles, C. M. (2013). Building classroom discipline (11th ed.). Boston: Pearson.