How Would You Manage Your Classroom?
- kyleedecillis
- Aug 30, 2018
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 4, 2018

Everyone has different ways of managing their classroom. Through my whole education I have seen and heard many different aspects of a school. So how do you decide how to manage your classroom and the strategies you should use? When talking to Mrs. Rivers I have found different ways that you can complete your room and how she chose the aspects of her classroom that she did and why. Mrs. Rivers is a second grade teacher at Davis Elementary in Malone, N.Y. Her teaching career has been her life for 25 years. She is a dedicated and passionate in her and encourages her students to do their best!
So What Did Mrs. Rivers Have to Say?
How have you changed since you first started teaching?
I have more of a learner center classroom. I know that I don't have to be doing all of the talking for the learning to happen. Chaos is okay if the kiddos are engaged and learning. I don't give as much homework because that is a big push for Malone right now. I am open to new ideas and not afraid to try new things.
What do you find hardest about teaching?
The hardest part I find is the parents. I find that there are parents willing to help with academics at home. You will always have a few that want to help, but these are usually the kiddos that aren't struggling. There is a lot of record keeping now since our school is on an improvement list! It takes time to keep up with all that is expected above and beyond the planning and teaching part of the day.
How do you help the students who aren't receiving help at home to help them keep up in academics?
I make sure I spend time with them first thing in the morning and I make sure that the TA (teacher aid) or I is spending ample time with them on skills. I also adjust ELA small groups to teach lacking skills instead of stressing the leveled readers and some skills.
How do you help meet the needs of all students?
You really have to get to know them and what their strengths and weaknesses are. Building their confidence and establishing routines really helps. Having many centers available and using the professionals (TA's, 1:1, Resource Room teachers) in the classroom to maximize group learning.
How do you incorporate reading in your classroom?
I use McGraw- Hill program, but I also use reader's workshop so kids are reading books they choose at their levels, which we call "baggy books". I always have seasonal books out for free reading and i have science/ social studies literature also.
Do you allow for independent reading time? If so how much time do they get in a day to read?
Yes, I try to give them at least 20 minutes each day. I also ask them to read 10- 15 minutes at home too, using my books. About half of them do. 20 minutes is a long time for my non- readers! They tend to struggle with this!
How do you encourage your non - readers to want to read?
I find books on topics that they like which can be hard, but baby steps! I make reasonable goals for each of my students and I am not afraid to bribe/ reward them as goals are met.
Who has been your most challenging student? Why? How did you handle it?
I had a student who challenged others that worked with him, but he was pretty good for me until we reached the end of the year. My hardest ones are the ones that misbehave (needing medications) and get no support at home and they struggle academically. I've had a few that ended up in psychiatric centers for periods of time.
How did you explain it to your class when a student had to go into a psych center?
You can't tell them, but you let on that they are out sick. When they come back you are on pins and needles hoping that you don't have any explosive incidents. One year I had one in the psych center (youth home) in Albany and was told I really was going to have him. He showed up the day after Halloween. Everyone was scrambling since the district wanted him to have a 1:1.
What is most important to you in your classroom?
Making sure my kiddos feel safe and loved. They will take risks to learn when they feel this.
Find more about Mrs. Rivers and her job/ class here!
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