How are materials organized within the classroom?

In my observations, the way a classroom is set up is just as important as the lessons themselves.  When a classroom is set up properly, the students are less stressed about what they need to do, and where they need to go.  Most classrooms I have visited, have some distinct similarities.

Each classroom has a reading corner.  This holds their classroom library books, and a comfortable place to sit and read during centers, or when they've finished their work.  There are plenty of books for everyone, and range in many different topics, to engage any student.  Every classroom has student cubbies, or desk cubbies, where all of their books, pencils, classwork, etc. belongs.  This helps the students know where to go to find something, and where it needs to go when they are finished working on it.  There is also a lunch count for the day, and each student knows that as soon as they enter the classroom, they select their lunch option for the day.  The students place their option in a box, so that the teacher can count it out and report it for the secretarial staff.  Each classroom also has a designated spot for homework.  The students know that when they come into class, they turn in their homework folders in the correct spot.  The teacher's materials are put in cabinets, so that they are easily accessible, but not distracting for the students.

Every teacher has a "theme" to their classroom.  Some classrooms are patriotic, some are under the sea, some are camp grounds, and some look like they are straight out of a Harry Potter book.  Even though these aren't organized materials, it's a great way to motivate students, and share in their interests.  It creates a fun environment and encourages creativity.  It also helps to establish groups of students into desk clumps, so each group can be called on and quietly accomplish a task 5-6 students at a time, instead of 25+ students all at once.

What strategies does the teacher use to actively engage the students? How effective are these?

In my observations, the teachers have actively engaged the students in many ways.  I have had the opportunity to sit in math lessons, and the students are able to use base 10 blocks, they are able to come up to the board and show their work in class so that the other students can learn from each other, powerpoint presentations to break down word problems to help the students solve the equations, they are able to use white boards and markers, discuss different ways of modeling a math problem, as well as work together in groups.

Each one of these strategies has been extremely effective in the classroom.  It allows the students to be engaged, use their hands, sight, and sounds to solve the problem.  They learn from each other, and they are encouraged to share their thought process with the class.  They are rewarded for their efforts by tokens that can be spent on their class "store" (prizes to choose from).  Students are intently listening, and focused on what is going on.

What do you think is the most challenging role a teacher plays? Why?

Teachers have many challenging roles to play in the classroom; it's hard to pick just one.  The one that comes to mind first, is the Teacher/Parent Communicator.  It can be difficult to work with some parents throughout the year.  Making sure they understand the structure, rules and standards of your classroom could bring road blocks for parents throughout the year.  My mother-in-law was a teacher for 35 years, and when you ask her the hardest part about her job, she'll tell you that it's communicating with the parent and child, making sure everyone is on the same page.  Many parents don't want to hear that their child is struggling in class, or that they have missed multiple homework assignments.  Many parents expect teachers to bend over backwards for their child, which is impossible to do.  From a teachers point of view, each student is treated equally, and that standard must be maintained for a successful learning environment.

Another difficult role to play, is the disciplinarian.  It's a fine line, walking between "educator" and "parent" every day.  At some point, every teacher has to put their foot down, and hand out the discipline, otherwise classrooms would be chaotic.  At the same time, it's difficult to discipline someone else's child.  In my fieldwork, I have noticed that each teacher has a "Think Time" corner in their classroom.  If a child gets 3 strikes in a day, they automatically visit the Think Time desk, and a note gets recorded for the teacher, the principal, and the parent.  Not all discipline works for every student, but it's essential that in the classroom, each student receives the same reward/punishment consequence.