Reflection 3

Entering the classroom for the first time I had no idea moral issues would arise. I was mostly concerned with the academic aspects of the classroom. But early on the issues of classroom management and moral norms made me realize that those issues play a vital role in how efficient the classroom runs. The teacher holds all the cards when dealing with students. They are authority figures that the children learn from and the classroom has many opportunities for students to learn them.
In my observations the two teachers set up a routine for the beginning of the class that does not change. These rituals are put in place to remind the students that the classroom is a place to have fun but most importantly it is a place to learn. Everyday is started the same way with the students seated quietly with their hands folded in their laps waiting for the teacher to take role. As soon as the final bell rings the children know it is time to quite down. I asked both teachers how they got their students to behave so well even without them saying anything or raising their voice. They told me it took three long weeks from the start of the year for the kindergarten students to learn and follow the beginning class rules. Most of these children did not attend preschool, so they had no prior knowledge of how a classroom worked. Both teachers are very friendly and I have never seem them raise their voice in anger towards their students. I think this helped the children adjust to a new way of doing things.
“Morals are caught not taught”, is David T. Hansen motto in his article, Teaching and The Moral Life of Classrooms. This statement is extremely true, students’ especially young ones like my kindergarteners mimic what peers and adults do. Teachers have to use this to spread positive morals to students. Setting rules and sticking with them is a good way to show equality among all students. I know my teachers have favorites. Even I have them. In the short time I have been there I have bonded with a few students but this is no reason to show favoritism to any student. All the students need to feel like they are special and you’re there to help them all succeed and learn.
In my class the children are just getting to understand the rules of the classroom. The one rule that is giving them the hardest time is the hand raising rule. It is hard enough to get twenty five year-olds to listen, let alone wait to be called on. They are all eager to learn but this sometimes causes chaos. The hand raising rule is in effect to keep the chaos and interruptions to a minimum. I think it also has a second unrelated effect on the students. It teaches them that in the classroom and maybe at home the teacher or parent holds total control over them. I believe this because along with the hand raising rule there is the “thumbs up” rule. This rule is for students who want to use the rest room. When they need to go they put their thumbs up and wait for the teacher to allow them to go. Sometimes they are not always allowed to go right away. The teachers told me this is because some students use it as a way to “mess around”. I do not believe this is fair but they know their students better than I do. But all these rules serve a purpose to keep order and teach their students to follow the rules set in class.
To me it seems like some of the morals that are “caught” in the classroom are there to keep order and help the teacher. Along with teaching students math, reading, and writing, teachers are teaching students how to function in society. These are skills that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives, so it is important for teachers to be fair in their treatment of all students.
As a child I always saw the classroom as a place for academic learning. I never thought I was picking up a moral education too. But after reading David T. Hansen I realized that it was something I learned without knowing it. As an adult and future teacher I see the value in teaching morals to students and starting at an early age. I see this every Wednesday when I observe in my kindergarten class. I see five year old children learning the basics. I see them learning to share, treating others equally, and showing respect to adults. But they are just at the beginning stage of their moral education, so they still struggle with even the most basic classroom rules. Even in higher grades students struggle with the most basic rules, but it is the teacher’s job to remain calm and stick to their rules and treat every student fairly.