MODULE 5

STUDENT BEHAVIORS AND COLLABORATION WITH COLLEAGUES

AND FAMILIES

Introduction: This module focuses on student behaviors and collaboration with colleagues and families. As you read about and explore each of the topics found in Chapters 9-11, reflect and make connections to either your teaching practice or the practices of the teachers you believe have most influenced you.

Grading: This assignment is worth 25 points. Please see the rubric for the grading of this assignment. Keep in mind that excessive grammar, punctuation, spelling, and composition errors will result in a reduction of points for this assignment. Failure to submit the assignment by the due date may result in a reduction equivalent to a letter grade reduction.

Due Date: The due date for this assignment may be found in the course assignment link in Canvas or on the course calendar in the syllabus.

Format:

· Submit your assignment as ONE Word Document via the appropriate assignment function.

· You must use Microsoft Word, font TNR, size 12, single spaced

· Use headings (example – Section 1: Vocabulary), so that sections are clearly labeled.

· Be thorough in your responses to each section.

1. Assignments (worth a total of 10 points)

Documents on the website of the Division of School Safety at the Mississippi Department of Education ( ) state that the Mississippi concept of a “safe school” combines two approaches – an operational approach and a programmatic approach. The operational approach focuses on developing and maintaining “sound daily operating procedures” at the classroom and school level. These procedures include emergency protocols, codes of conduct, faculty/student/parent handbooks, and others. These procedures align to provide safe classrooms and school environments that support student achievement. The programmatic approach focuses on programs that support faculty, students, and parents in maintaining a safe classroom and school. Programs such as “character education, crime prevention, aggression management, [and] peer counseling” are mentioned.

a. Describe daily operating procedures in your classroom and school (or a classroom and school with which you are familiar) that are part of the operational approach. Discuss the role these play in maintaining a safe classroom and school environment that supports student achievement.

b. Describe programs in your classroom and school (or a classroom and school with which you are familiar) that are part of the programmatic approach. Discuss the role these play in supporting safe classroom and school environments.

II. Case Study – (worth a total of 15 points) Read the following case study and respond to the prompt. You are the lead teacher at Dahomey School, which serves grades 4K through 12. The supervisor of instruction in your school district has asked you to present a professional development workshop focused on developing a positive classroom environment. All teachers in your district will attend the workshop. You begin planning the workshop by reviewing the published literature on the topic of safe and nurturing classroom environments for schools and by reviewing information from the MDE Division of School Safety. Based upon this review, you have decided to align workshop content with the two approaches found in the MDE’s safe school concept.

Prompt: Take the role of lead teacher presented in the above scenario as you begin to develop an outline for the workshop aligned with the operational and programmatic approaches to safe classroom and school environments. Complete the outline on the following page by summarizing four operational approaches and four programmatic approaches appropriate for developing and sustaining a safe classroom environment in grades 4K – 12. The following questions may help you develop the outline: The Operational Approach

· What operational procedures at the school level support a safe classroom?

· What daily classroom routines and procedures should be in place?

· How does the physical arrangement of the classroom and playground support or hinder physical and emotional safety?

· What procedures are in place to address conflict when it occurs?

· How can teachers effectively communicate with and involve parents?

The Programmatic Approach

· How may character education be effectively infused into the curriculum?

· What programs and activities help teachers build a sense of community in classrooms (e.g., cooperation, self-discipline, respect, celebration of accomplishments)?

· What programs and strategies may be effective in helping young children manage aggression and resolve conflict?

Developing and Sustaining Safe Classroom Environments in Grades 4K-12

The Operational Approach

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The Programmatic Approach

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