Describe the six key ingredients of well-managed classrooms that have been suggested by research. Describe the relationship between these ingredients and instruction, constructivism, classroom management, and student affective factors

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

In a well-managed classroom students complete clearly understood assignments in a busy, but pleasant, atmosphere. The basic characteristics of well-managed classrooms are as follows:
a.Before the first day of class, the teacher has created a set of procedures and activities that
allow for classroom routines to be conducted efficiently. The teacher also explains why the procedures are necessary and how they are to be carried out.
b. The teacher posts and/or announces a list of classroom rules as well as the penalties for not following them.
c. For the first few weeks the teacher actively leads whole-class activities.
d. The teacher maintains control of student behavior by using the techniques described by
Jacob Kounin.
e. The teacher gives clear directions, holds students accountable for completing assignments, and gives feedback without being punitive.
f. The teacher demonstrates a caring orientation toward students. That is, the teacher shows that he or she is interested in them and is willing to support their efforts to learn.
Teachers need to make the instructional objectives known and understandable to the students so the students will be able to tell when they have achieved the criteria. This helps students to develop an increased awareness of their own achievements. It also helps them become aware of deficiencies in their learning. Without that awareness, students could not know where to direct their own learning. As discussed in Chapter 10, one goal of instruction, from the constructivist perspective, is to help students become self-directed learners. Students also need teachers to provide clear instructions so they know what they are expected to do.
Teacher guidance, and interaction with students as they learn, helps students to gain competency at new skills and keeps them busy. Little time will be wasted, and distracting teacher and student behaviors may be avoided, when lessons are carefully planned. However, students will be relaxed and feel safe from failure in the classroom only if there is a pleasant and supportive environment.