EDFN 440

Classroom Management

Final Exam

For questions 1-8, select 4 short answer questions to answer. You must answer question 9.

1. Why do teachers need to engage in in-depth study of research and theory about classroom
management and students’ personal and psychological needs?

2. What is culturally sensitive teaching? Why is it of such critical importance?

3. Felix comes to school dirty, tired, and hungry every day. In class, he is inattentive, uninterested, and
lagging behind his peers academically. What conclusions would Maslow likely draw about Felix?

4. Why is it important for teachers to develop a thorough understanding of students’ basic needs?

5. Why should teachers provide more than one means by which students can request academic support
and assistance when they are struggling?

6. Explain three ways that as a teacher, you can help diffuse a parent’s feelings of anger and frustration.

7. When referring to the always-enforced expectations in schools and classrooms, why might you prefer
using terms like behavior standards or norms rather than the word rules?

8. List two ways a teacher can provide students with choices before a unit of curricular study begins.
Then list two ways that she can provide choice during instruction, and two ways that she can provide
choice after the unit is completed.

Question 9 must be answered.

9. Choose two of the following situations and describe your response.

a. A high school student has his cell phone out during whole-group instruction, despite the
classroom rule that phones are only to be used during emergencies or designated times.
 b. A middle school student accidentally knocks another student’s book to the floor, but refuses
to pick it up again.

c. An elementary student is constantly whispering to her neighbor during a quiet reading time

d. Name five strategies that teachers can use to respond effectively to defiant behavior. What
important considerations should teachers make in deciding which intervention to use?

Select 3 scenarios to read and respond. Be sure you have adequately addressed all issues within each
scenario you select.

A. Mr. Marshall is becoming frustrated with the level of teasing that is going on in his class during lunch.
He has tried punishing the offending students, changing student seating to separate the “teasers” from
the “teasees,” and even putting a “no talking” policy in place during lunch. Nothing seems to help; some
students are still being picked on and having their feelings hurt. What would you suggest that Mr.
Marshall do next? Why?

B. You’re speaking with Miss O’Connell, who teaches high school biology. She indicates that she is
struggling with classroom management and that she senses that her students don’t like her. When you
mention the importance of building warm, emotionally supportive relationships with students, she
responds by saying, “That’s true in elementary school, but in high school, we really need these students
to be independent. They need to be willing and able to do their work regardless of the interpersonal
relationships they experience in the classroom. After all, the real world isn’t always a warm and
nurturing place.” What would you say in response?

C. Mrs. Capps is an administrator at Central High School. Recently, she has noticed that a group of
African American girls have been wearing red, black and green colored scarves as belts, and neckwear.
Mrs. Capps has not noticed negative behavior but is worried about gang activity. When questioned, the
girls report that a new African American boutique has opened down town and that the scarves are
fashionable. Mrs. Capps thinks the girls may be violating the “no colors” school rule. According to
Kuykendall, how should Mrs. Capps react?

D. Jamil, one of your third graders, comes to you to let you know that Duane, a fourth-grader from a
nearby class, has been making disparaging racial comments about him for weeks although Jamil has said
repeatedly, “Please don’t say those things. It’s not okay for you to treat me like this.” In tears, Jamil
confides that yesterday, Duane sat at a table near Jamil’s at lunch, continuing to whisper hurtful
remarks, and that today, despite Jamil’s efforts to avoid Duane and his crowd while waiting for the bus,
they followed him around making derogatory remarks about him. Do you believe this is bullying? Why or
why not? Describe at least four things you might do in order to address the situation.

E. It is the beginning of the year, and Mr. Li notices that 23 of his 25 middle school students are
following the correct procedures for heading their papers and handing in work. Mr. Li decides that a
92% compliance rate is pretty good, and decides not to address the issue with the two students who
aren’t following the procedure. Given what you’ve learned from this chapter, evaluate Mr. Li’s decision.
F. Joretta is very upset because she failed an important test, despite several hours’ of studying. She
burst into angry tears when she saw her grade, and is sitting stonily at her desk. You walk to her desk,
kneel down, and tell her you know she’s upset that her hard work didn’t lead directly to the grade she
wanted. After reassuring her for a moment, you remind her that the class has discussed ways people can
calm themselves when they are feeling strong emotions. You gently suggest that she try some of the
strategies that have been covered. List at least three things that Joretta might try to calm herself in the
face of her frustration.

G. Mr. Boakye says, “I am so frustrated! I am attending to every instance of misbehavior, and it feels like
all I do is fuss at my students. I’m not even sure that it’s working as well as I’d like it to – students do
respond, but the environment in the classroom is somewhat strained.” What advice would you give Mr.
Boakye regarding effective management and reinforcement?