PASTORAL CARE AND

CLASSROOM DYNAMICS

DANGEROUS MINDS REVIEW

• The entire movie deals with LITTLE, REAL, EVERYDAY problems and not with the big issues of life and this is probably why this movie was summarily discarded as being second rate. But when we consider how children consider and perceive our world nowadays, it's exactly what they expect us, the adults, to do as well. That's to say, take our time to explain to them the everyday happenings in their little worlds. Why mom and dad went their separate ways, why do they have to cope with homework they cannot understand and so on and so forth. This movie is a teaching lesson for teachers, not a moralizing or preachy one. It shows us how it should be done, nothing more. In Drama one says "less is more", why shouldn't it apply to life? We always want to set standards and a higher example to the students we are supposed to tutor, but what about our commitment to give them what they really want: lend them an ear when they talk, a heart when they feel sorrow, and sometimes, when required, a firm authority to look up to? Many colleagues I have met have forgotten what teaching is all about. It's not a simple profession to earn your life, it's much more than this, it's a mission, a passion, a drive, a call, just like the one an actor or a director have. In this instance in my own opinion, "Dangerous Minds" has amply achieved its goals.

What is pastoral care?• In school, it is an expression of concern for

individuals designed to provide a holistic approach to addressing the personal, social, emotional, intellectual and spiritual needs of every young person.

• Pastoral care is the act of looking after the personal and social well being of the children in schools. It involves a wide variety of issues including social and ethical issues, physical condition, behaviour management and emotional support.

Pastoral Care programs

Are you a teacher in need of pastoral care lesson plans?

• Social Networking / Cyber Safety• Sex education• Drug education• Bullying• Positive psychology• Conflict resolution• Relationships• Study skills• Stress management• Coping strategies• Goal setting• Organisation• Anger management

• Teachers develop strong relationships with their students, being influential in the pastoral development and welfare of each child, and they act as advocates for their well being.

• These teachers have responsibilities which vary according to sub-School and year level for the implementation of the formal Pastoral Care program and also classroom teaching with their students.

• They regularly monitor student performance and are frequently a parent’s first contact with the school.

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Classroom Ideas: Pastoral Care

Cupcake Birthday Wall

Inspiring Cards

Ice breaker

Mother’s Day cards

Reflection

What is classroom dynamics?

• Classroom dynamics involves the interaction between students and teachers in a classroom community.

• The purpose of studying classroom dynamics is to learn how to set up a positive classroom atmosphere where students feel comfortable learning and communicating with other students and with the teacher.

• Good classroom dynamics consist in the engagement of everybody in the classroom. This is not a completely natural situation, so it must be set up according to a plan.

How To Create One?• The environment of a classroom has a direct effect

on the learning process. If a classroom is chaotic, for example, important information can be missed and students may fall behind. Conversely, when a classroom is constricted, students can become lethargic.

• The ideal environment for a classroom is a dynamic one. This can be achieved through careful planning and strategic implementation. If done correctly, students' natural abilities will surface and they will become excited about learning.

• DisciplineEvery classroom needs a behavioral code to maintain order. Students will never feel comfortable to express themselves in a classroom without rules. Teachers should inform students from the beginning of the class what their behavioral expectations are for them. It helps if they also have a discussion to get feedback from the students about the rules and to clarify any confusion. When a student breaks a rule, it is important that the teachers follow through with the predetermined consequences.

• MotivationSome students are not naturally motivated to learn within the constraints of a classroom. Every classroom must out of necessity have slightly different dynamics because they all consist of different students. Each student has his own interests and talents, so each classroom should be flexible enough to accommodate the individuality of its students. Students are more motivated when they feel that the classroom dynamics focus on their goals and interests.

• Gender• Some classes isolate, embarrass or exclude a particular gender from the

classroom by the activities or by the discussions. For instance, a medical student named Julie Switzer was listening to a lecture on muscle contractions of the uterus and then addressed a classroom saying, "You may never feel this, but your wife will." The teacher was isolating half of her class who were women by addressing the men in the class. The male gender is similarly isolated or excluded in classrooms. Proper classroom dynamics will include both genders and be mindful of their different needs.

• Participation• Good classroom dynamics will include all students in its activities and discussions.

Teachers must show an interest in every individual student and encourage her to participate in the classroom. Classroom participation is not, however, only about the students. The teacher has to be willing to participate fully in class discussions and activities to create lively and dynamic classroom dynamics. A teacher that merely goes on teaching the material without noticing whether the students are understanding it has a major problem with classroom dynamics.