Managing Classroom Behavior and Learning in the Primary Classroom Essa

‘The poor behaviour of some children affects not only their learning but also the learning of others.’ (Adams 2009, page 4) This suggests that poorly managed behaviour in the classroom can have a detrimental effect on learning overall, as well as individually. This assignment will analyse how behaviour and learning are inextricably linked. This assignment will also emphasise how primary classroom teachers develop behaviour management strategies in order to promote an effective and positive learning environment. Ofsted (2005, page 15) discusses how if children can enjoy learning it is more likely that their behaviour will be positive; likewise if their behaviour is good then the children are most likely to learn. The Every Child Matters: change for children (ECM) policy (DfES, 2004, page 10) underpins this link between behaviour and education. Every child has the right to learn and therefore the key outcomes, ‘stay safe’, ‘enjoy and achieve’, and ‘make a positive contribution’, in the ECM agenda are incorporated in all behaviour and learning strategies. During school experience, these key outcomes are clearly outlined in the whole school behaviour policy, one of the rules being, ‘Let everyone learn.’ Reiterating the link between behaviour and learning, the basis of high-quality classroom management is to have high expectations for pupil behaviour. (TDA, 2009) Not only does having high expectations of the children promote learning, if the expectations for behaviour are clear and the rules made explicit then the pupils know exactly what is required of them. Essentially, teachers get what they expect from their pupils - this includes behaviour and learning. (Kuklinski and Weinstein, 2003; Arthur and Cremin 2010) The standards for... ...ons.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmselect/cmeduc/516/51606.htm#note54 Accessed 10/04/2012 Paragraph 4.16. Steer, A (chair) (2006) Learning behaviours, principles and practice - what works in schools. Nottingham: DfES. Available from: https://www.education.gov.uk/publications/standard/publicationDetail/Page1/DFES-0281-2006 Accessed 11/04/2012 Training and Development Agency for Schools. (TDA) (2009) Professional Standards for Qualified Teacher Status and Requirements for Initial Teacher Training, London: TDA. Available from: http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20111218081624/http://tda.gov.uk/default.aspx Accessed 10/04/2012 Training and Development Agency for Schools. (TDA) (2011) Standards for Qualified Teachers. London: Crown Copyright in Hayes, D. (2012) Foundations of Primary Teaching. Abingdon: David Fulton Publishers. Pp 8-10.

Teachers’ Knowledge of Legal Issues Surrounding Students’ Rights

Even though lawsuits against teachers have multiplied over the last decade, teacher preparation institutions and educational leaders across our nation have yet to recognize teachers' knowledge of school law as an area that should be at the top of the priority list for improvement in teacher training. Although this new, legally influenced educational environment has not developed overnight, it has quickly become an area that demands attention among teachers, administrators, and other constituencies. The overabundance of litigation in the United States of America illustrates the legal complexity of the nation and the litigious nature of its citizenry. Accordingly, individuals entering the teaching profession should be equipped with the legal knowledge necessary to protect themselves and the students with whom they have contact. The purpose of this study is to explore some of the underlying legislation and literature that depicts the legal issues surrounding students' rights and how these issues are interrelated to teachers’ knowledge of school law. Through the information provided in this paper, it is evident that insight into knowledge of school law among teachers is an issue that is increasingly important to educators and educational leaders in United States. Introduction In 1989, the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA) surveyed principals and school attorneys to determine the impact of legal issues on the educational setting. The study revealed that 58% of the participants noted changes in school-related programs due to liability concerns and nine percent of respondents reported having been involved in lawsuits or settlements (Sherman, 2000). Only a decade later, the ATRA conducted a similar investigation in which 64% of the respondents reported a difference in school-related programs as a result of liability concerns and 31% of participants reported being involved in lawsuits or settlements (Sherman, 2000). In 1999 ATRA reported that nearly one-third of all high school principals have been involved in a lawsuit in the last two years, compared to only nine percent, 10 years ago. (Sherman, 2000). Further, Affinity Insurance Services (2003) reported that, â€Å"the number of lawsuits filed against teachers and other education professionals has increased at an alarming rate -over 270% in the last ten years† (p. 2). These findings clearly illustrate the severity of the issue under investigation and highlight the need for corrective and preventative measures aimed at reducing the regularity of litigation within the educational environment. Although this research speaks for itself, public sentiment toward filing suits against educators is at the crux of the issue. Stern (2001) reported that for some students and parents, a good lawyer is as important as good grades. Furthermore, Sorokin (2002) stated that society has become increasingly litigious and the law is used only for personal benefit, especially in the educational setting. Recently, the National Center for Policy Analysis (2003) reported that the rising tide of lawsuits against educators over the last decade has made school discipline difficult, reduced opportunities for students, and consumed many educational resources. Fischer, Schimmel, and Kelly (2003) state that â€Å"today's schools function in a complex legal environment, and a wide range of legal issues influence the lives of teachers, students, parents, and administrators† (p. vii). Currently, the No Child Left Behind legislation asserts that teachers are protected from most lawsuits if they act within their responsibilities. However, the problem arises in the issue of whether teachers have adequate legal knowledge upon which to define their responsibilities, and subsequently base their decisions for action or behavior. Additionally, educators operate in environments that are open-systems that are subject to the influence of countless extraneous variables. This makes educational policy and daily procedures more difficult to define; thus, complicating teachers' responsibilities (McCarthy et al. , 2004). For these reasons, it would seem that knowledge of legal responsibilities and legal rights would be at the forefront of professional preparation for preservice educators or professional development for inservice educators. Legal issues surrounding students' rights Knowledge of students' rights is at the forefront of lawfulness as an educator. Although rights of students are very important to educators, maintaining orderliness and authority by teachers and other school officials is also a top priority for educational systems. Thus, educators are granted broad powers to establish rules and regulations governing student conduct in the educational setting (Essex, 1999). This power of authority is not absolute; rather it must be exercised with reasonableness and the focus must stay on maintaining order and peace. However, because students continue to test the limits of their personal freedoms in public schools, frequent collisions arise as educators strive to maintain educational environments that are highly conducive to learning (McCarthy et al. , 2004). In dealing with these issues, the courts have generally considered the reasonableness clause as a basis for case decisions. In 1969, the United States Supreme Court handed down a historic decision that challenged the reasonableness consideration, in Tinker v. Des Moines (1969), the court ruled that neither teachers nor students lose their constitutional rights to freedom of expression when they enter the public schools. The First Amendment guarantees that the federal government cannot abridge personal freedoms. Thus, the Supreme Court ruled that through the Fourteenth Amendment state governments, including Boards of Education, cannot abridge citizens of such freedoms. Consequently, educators have been faced with the increased challenge of maintaining effective educational environments while ensuring personal freedoms (Essex, 1999). Freedom of speech and expression is granted by the First Amendment to the U. S. Constitution that states, in part, that â€Å"Congress shall make no law †¦ abridging the freedom of speech, or of press or of the rights of peoples to peacefully assemble. † The court has stated that First Amendment rights must receive protection in the educational setting â€Å"if we are not to strangle the free mind at its source and teach youth to discount important principals of our government as mere platitudes† (West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette, 1943). A multitude of additional court cases has set precedence in the area of students' rights. However, the court has recognized that â€Å"the constitutional rights of students in public school are not automatically coextensive with the rights of adults in other settings† (Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser, 1986). Thus, freedom of speech and expression is open to limitation by policies that are reasonabl y designed based on the conditions of the educational setting (Fischer, Schimmel, and Kelly, 2003). Taking this legislation into consideration, educators should be knowledgeable of situations in which constitutional freedoms do not prevail. â€Å"Defamatory, obscene, vulgar, and inflammatory expression are not protected in the public school context† (McCarthy et al. 2004, p. 115). As a result of Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988), school authorities can limit students' freedom of expression in school publications and other school-related activities as long as the limits are based on legitimate educational concerns. In commenting on the utilization of this judicial decision, Rosen (2002) states that â€Å"administrators with a militaristic bent have no better weapon in their arsenal†¦ † In general, however, courts have endorsed the notion that educators should limit students' freedoms of expression and press only when their actions cause disruption to the educational environment (Essex, 1999). Student-initiated clubs have become very common in the educational setting. Lee (2002) asserts that joining a group that is unified in vision and in action can soothe the difficulties that many alienated students may experience. But, because the nature of some clubs has caused controversy, litigation has ensued. Although freedom of association is not specifically protected under the First Amendment, the Supreme Court has ruled that freedom of association is â€Å"implicit in the freedoms of speech, assembly, and petition† (Healy v. James, 1972). The issue, however, arises in the nature of the association that is taken by the students. Public school students have sought legal espousal for secret societies or closed-membership clubs through the assertion that these associations are supported by First Amendment freedoms. However, the courts have upheld rulings by school officials prohibiting student membership in secret societies (Burkitt v. School District No. 1 Multnomah County, 1952). Conversely, student-initiated organizations with open membership are receptive to support under the First Amendment. Accordingly, courts have held that if a public high school allows student associations to meet during noninstructional time, the access policy for such meetings by other groups must be neutral in relation to association content (Dixon v. Beresh, 1973). Due to the legislation resulting from such issues, Congress enacted the Equal Access Act (EAA) in 1984, that confirmed that if a federally assisted secondary school creates an open forum for noncurricular student groups to meet during noninstractional time, it must not deny access to specific groups based on religious, political, or other content of the groups' meeting (Fischer, Schimmel, and Kelly, 2003). School officials may only limit meetings that th reaten to disrupt the educational environment. As mentioned earlier in this literature review, the establishment of an open forum has been challenged by the Establishment clause when association is of a religious nature (Board of Education of the Westside Community Schools v. Mergens, 1990). Reflection on this legislation raises the issue of whether or not the creation of an open forum is in the best interest of the school. Fortunately, under the EAA, school districts do retain the option of restricting access to only curriculum related association, rather than creating a limited open forum for student-initiated association. Regardless of the choice, teachers must be aware of the school district's decision and the underlying obligations of this decision in order to avoid instances of controversy when dealing with student-initiated clubs (Imber & Van Geel, 2000). Freedom of appearance on behalf of students has led to regular litigation in the past. Appearance is of great importance to most students. However, when fads and fashion lead to disruptions in the learning environment, controversy usually follows. Although freedom of appearance has been considered an extension of symbolic expression, which is protected under the First Amendment, the courts have reached contradictory conclusions over this issue (Essex, 1999). In 1982, the court determined that restrictions on student appearance constitute â€Å"a reasonable means of furthering the school board's undeniable interest in teaching hygiene, instilling discipline, asserting authority, and compelling uniformity† (Domico v. Rapides Parish School Board, 1982). Although students have asserted that attire is a means of expression protected under the First Amendment, courts have held that attire can be regulated if it is deemed â€Å"immodest, disruptive, or unsanitary† (Richards v. Thurston, 1970). More stringent restrictions on attire, in the form of uniform policies, have been established in some school systems in order to eliminate gang-related attire, reduce violence, and improve school climate by removing the emphasis placed on attire, thereby enhancing the emphasis on academics (Del Stover, 1996). However, courts have reached contradictory conclusions concerning the constitutionality of mandated school uniform policies. Thus, in order to avoid potential litigation, educators must ensure that a legitimate educational justification is underlying any regulation related to students' appearance and teachers must enforce uniform policies based solely upon these established justifications in order to avoid litigation (McCarthy et al. , 2004). Extracurricular activities are integral components of the majority of public school across the nation. In 1975, Goss v. Lopez established that once a state provides public education, students cannot be denied access to this education without due process of law. Although courts have historically held that extracurricular activities are fundamental in the educational system, the current view stipulates that conditions may be attached to participation in such activities. However, litigation has been contradictory because, â€Å"courts have not agreed regarding procedural protections that must be provided when students face suspension or expulsion from extracurricular activities† (McCarthy et al. 2004, p. 135). Due to these insubstantial rulings, school authorities may not be required to provide formal due process procedures prior to the suspension of a student from extracurricular activities. Nevertheless, if the school district has a policy for suspending students from extracurricular activities, school authorities must abide by this policy, in such instances, an informal hearing and documentation of the underlying rationale for the action is advisable. Suspension based on academic standing, age, conduct, extracurricular participation fees, individual skill, school attendance, residence, and a number of other conditions have been left to the discretion of school district authorities (Imber & Van Geel, 2000). Policies concerning these considerations should be clearly written, they should be communicated to students, teachers, and parents, they should be based on sound educational rationale, and they should be enforced in an indiscriminating manner. Educators should ensure that suspension or denial of participation in extracurricular activities is based on established policy in order to avoid litigation in this area. Conclusion In this litigious society, to protect themselves and the students they teach, teachers should have ample knowledge of school law. Determining the level of knowledge of school law and the importance that teachers place on this knowledge is important so that college officials, school administrators, and teachers can make decisions focused on improving knowledge in deficient areas, such as legal issues pertaining to students' rights. Educating particular groups to increase law knowledge will remain a great challenge for universities officials, school administrators, and teachers because no one person or group of people is like that of another and because no one person or group shares the same educational or practical experiences. Knowledge of the law pertaining to students' rights is of extreme importance to educators because â€Å"by their very nature schools are places where students often wish to express their ideas through speech and other means† (Imber & Van Geel, 2000, p. 37). Thus, teachers should be prepared to lawfully allow students to exercise their constitutional rights while maintaining the structure and integrity of the educational system. In doing so, students will experience an enriched educational environment based upon diversity of ideals, respect for self and others, and, most importantly, the liberties granted by the U. S. Constitution that have defined our nation and its citizenry.

Lord Of The Flies Symbolism Analysis - 710 Words

Lord of the Flies William Golding’s use of Symbolism for Leadership, Survival, and Intelligence †All nature is a vast symbolism; every material fact has sheathed within a spiritual truth† (Edwin Hubbell Chapin)In life there is a lot of symbolisation especially with nature, everything is one thing but can stand for a totally different objective. Being symbolic happens not only in life but in the book in many ways.In the story there is symbolism on good and bad and each stand for what is needed in life in order to survive. Thesis In the novel, Lord of the Flies , written by William Golding symbolism is used through the conch shell as a sign of leadership, the signal fire illustrates the strive for survival, and Piggy’s glasses emphasizes†¦show more content†¦All the boys want to be rescued and go back to their normal lives. The smoke from the fire helps them fight on gives them something to look forward to. Piggy’s glasses are are sign of intel ligence. Glasses are primarily used for sight, being a metaphor because the glasses help give a sight on knowledge and awareness. â€Å"Piggys Glasses Symbol Icon By allowing the boys to create fire, the first necessity of civilization, Piggys glasses represent science and technology, mankinds power to transform and remake their environment to best suit its needs.† The boys needed the glasses in order to survive. Without Piggy’s spectacles they wouldnt have know how to start a fire, have a smoke signal, or cook their food. After the glasses broke they was no longer a reason for the intelligence, instead they became a symbol for the outbursts in the boys feud. Symbols are like metaphors they can stand for one thing but mean another. Although the story might be about a group of boys trapped on an island with no adults, but when you really pick apart the story its the symbols that make it worth so much more. The story is not base on the words itself but on what is beyond what the words stand for and what they mean. No matter how the boys acted or their actions the boys consequences came from each of the symbols above, like the use of not obey the conch made the boys split and fight, the non carefulness of the fire made the boys lose hopeShow MoreRelatedLord Of The Flies Symbolism Analysis766 Words   |  4 PagesLord Of The Flies In William Golding’s â€Å"Lord Of The Flies† Novel, symbolism is a very important element of the book, Many symbols show how the boys on the island are slowly becoming savage and losing their civility. The conch is just a shell, But it does represents much more than that, the conch is power, order, respect and civility and when its broken, It’s the loss of civilization. The conch is first found by Piggy and Ralph when they first get to the beach. Piggy who’s seen one beforeRead MoreLord Of The Flies Symbolism Analysis1131 Words   |  5 PagesIn Lord of the Flies (LoF) by William Golding, symbols are used to illustrate Golding’s bleak views of the basic instincts of man. It appears that Golding believes that no matter whom you are or what your life is like, your basic instincts and compulsions are dark, and self-preserving. The majority of this story can be read symbolically whether through the islands structure, the characters if the boys, or the objects occurring within the book. However the symbolism of the conch, the lord of theRead MoreLord Of The Flies Symbolism Analysis733 Words   |  3 Pages Lord of the Flies Lord of the Flies has symbols throughout the story, each character brings a different point of view. Piggy, Ralph, and Jack take a leading role with all the boys, although they vote Ralph in charge both of the other boys take a leadership position. Goulding uses the boys to show the faults of mankind and the roots of all evil. Four symbols Goulding used in the novel were: Piggy’s glasses, the Conch Shell, The Beast, and Simon’s hiding place. Therefore, the symbols show the trueRead MoreLord Of The Flies Symbolism Analysis752 Words   |  4 PagesLord of the Flies, by William Golding, is full of symbolism and allegories. Three important symbols are the conch shell that represents civilization, the fire that represents hope, and the outside world that the boys represent. The conch shell represents civilization, order, and power. For example, in the beginning of the novel, Ralph blows the conch shell, in hopes of attracting other boys that may be on the island; and, soon, other boys do appear. The conch has brought the boys together, andRead MoreLord Of The Flies Symbolism Analysis968 Words   |  4 Pages Lord of the Flies In William Goldings novel Lord of the Flies, he demonstrates the struggle of being trapped on an island containing no civilization and the attempt to remain safe. As the conflict starts to occur on the island, the battle to stay alive and hope to be rescued becomes more challenging for the boys. Throughout the novel, many symbolic elements become significant and are prominently used to get the reader to interpret things differently and see things in other perspectives. In theRead MoreLord Of The Flies Symbolism Analysis768 Words   |  4 Pages The Lord of the Flies is a novel that contains multiple symbols that reflect the actions of human nature. Some of these symbols include Piggy and his glasses, the signal fire, the conch shell, and the Lord of the Flies. Each symbol shows a different flaw or mistake the boys encounter throughout the novel. Piggy is one of the main characters in the novel. It is notable that he is also the only character who wears glasses. Because of his ideas and approach to different situations, he is seen as theRead MoreLord Of The Flies Symbolism Analysis1291 Words   |  6 PagesWilliam Golding, winner of the 1983 Nobel Prize for Literature, argues in his 1954 book Lord of the Flies that humans are evil in nature. He uses multiple symbols to define what savagery really is and how it can affect even the youngest of society. Some symbols, such as painted faces or a pigs head on a stick are used as shocking narrative tools but are necessary in order to portray these children as ruthless monsters. Golding’s use of painted faces does symbolize that when there is anonymity, humansRead MoreLord Of The Flies Symbolism Analysis1020 Words   |  5 PagesThroughout the novel Lord of the Flies, there are many characters that show symbolic traits. Jack, Simon, and Piggy are examples of characters that possess symbolic traits. Jack represents a savage humanity. On the other hand, Simon represents the goodness inside of humans and a civilized humanity. The last character that will be discussed, Piggy, represents science and intellect. These three characters will be analyzed throughout this paper. Jack is the main antagonist in Lord of the flies. ThroughoutRead MoreLord Of The Flies Fire Symbolism Analysis947 Words   |  4 PagesIn the story, Lord of the Flies, by William Golding, many important symbols are introduced that denounce different meanings of the novel’s purpose. The story, Lord of the Flies takes place on an unknown deserted island somewhere in the Pacific Ocean. The boys, stranded on the island, utilize fire in order to survive. After meeting the author announces the character, the forest envelopes in flames and the boys were in grave danger. The fire was also shown to equal community and civilization to signalRead MoreSymbolism Analysis Of Lord Of The Flies By William Golding2013 Words   |  9 Pages Symbolism Analysis of Lord of the Flies â€Å"Lord of the Flies† is a novel written by William Golding which shows the reader dark situations throughout the play of the book. In this novel, boys are completely isolated from civilization and rules. The theme portrays ‘civilization vs savagery’, questioning if civilization fade away without the positive views of rules. Lord of the Flies gives the reader an idea of how humanity’s form can shape throughout different life threatening situations. Golding