ED 421 - Comprehensive Classroom Management

(3.00 cr.)

Prerequisite: SE 296 . Restricted to elementary education majors or special education minors. Students develop the knowledge and skills to create and maintain a positive and engaging classroom environment that supports the cognitive and affective development of all learners. With an emphasis on self-awareness, the impact of culture and environment are explored as students examine the various models, theories, and principles of behavior management. Course activities focus on the application of course content and the personal development of students as culturally responsive teachers who respond holistically to the diverse needs of their students. This class focuses on the use of positive behavioral supports through the emphasis of a strength-based classroom management/preparation plan that prevents behavior problems. Students demonstrate key components of an organized and well-managed classroom, including the ability to design innovative classrooms, develop rules and routines, and use positive behavioral supports effectively. Through the development of behavioral intervention plans, students use skills such as target behavior selection, measurement and recording techniques, strategies for increasing or decreasing behavior, evaluating plan effectiveness, and generalizing and maintaining desired behavior. Positive student-teacher relationships and the advocacy of prosocial behaviors, as well as topics such as bullying, school violence, and crisis management are addressed.