Ms.James's Blog

Chapter 11 focuses on creating effective learning environments and how teachers can support positive behavior through proactive classroom management. Slavin explains that good instruction and good behavior go hand in hand when students are engaged, know what to do, and feel supported, they are less likely to misbehave.

In teaching, both direct instruction and student-centered instruction offer valuable benefits, but each comes with its own challenges for teachers and students. With direct instruction, teachers often struggle to maintain student engagement and to pace the lesson so it meets the needs of all learners. Since the teacher is doing most of the talking and guiding, it can also be difficult to differentiate instruction or ensure that every student is processing the content. Students, on the other hand, may become passive learners during direct instruction. They may rely heavily on the teacher for answers, feel less motivated, or struggle to retain information when learning is mainly lecture-based. Student-centered instruction presents a different set of challenges. For teachers, it requires strong classroom management, more planning time, and a willingness to release some control so students can take ownership of their learning. Assessment can also be more complicated when students are worki...

 Chapter 6 in Slavin (2020).  Reflective Journal Entry #3 Information Process Theory  After reading Chapter 6 in Slavin (2020), I found myself thinking a lot about how students actually take in and remember information. I already understood that learning isn’t just about presenting material, but this chapter helped me see more clearly what happens in a student’s mind as they try to make sense of new content. One thing that really stood out to me was how limited working memory is. Students can only hold a small amount of information at one time, and it’s easy for them to get overwhelmed if too much is given at once. This made me reflect on classroom situations where students shut down or become frustrated. It might not be because they’re being difficult it may simply be that the task is too big or too fast for their working memory to handle. As both a teacher and a coach, this reminds me of the importance of slowing down, breaking tasks into smaller parts, checking in ofte...

 I am primarily intrinsically motivated. This result aligns closely with my teaching and coaching philosophy. I am deeply invested in my students’ academic and personal growth, and I find genuine satisfaction in witnessing their “lightbulb moments” when concepts begin to make sense. That sense of fulfillment reinforces my commitment to creating meaningful, engaging learning experiences. As an instructional coach, my intrinsic motivation influences how I support teachers. I focus on building authentic relationships, fostering professional growth, and encouraging reflective practice rather than emphasizing compliance or external rewards. However, one area I could improve is incorporating more extrinsic motivators, such as recognizing the small teacher wins or providing public acknowledgment of progress. Balancing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation could further enhance morale, sustain engagement, and promote a positive school culture.

My name is Me'Nighyah James and I currently teach middle grades social studies. I have a growing interest in PBIS because I see firsthand how behavior, climate, and instruction are deeply connected in the classroom. I am hoping to continue building my skills in this area. As for my professional learning network, I stay connected and continue learning in a few ways: Weekly Professional Development:  Every Wednesday, I participate in PD sessions at my school. These are opportunities to collaborate with colleagues, gain new strategies, and reflect on our instructional and behavioral practices. Workshops and Trainings:  I attend PBIS-related workshops whenever they’re available. These sessions help me stay current with best practices and give me new tools I can bring back to my classroom. Colleagues and School Community:  My fellow teachers, instructional leaders, and support staff play a big role in my PLN. We share ideas, solve challenges, and learn from one another’s ...