👩‍🏫 One Challenge, One Lesson

During my practicum, one challenge that really caught me off guard was managing noise levels during group activities. It sounds simple enough, but when you’re in the thick of it, it feels like a battle you’re not sure you’ll win.

There was one particular lesson that sticks in my mind. I had planned a group activity where students were supposed to work together and discuss their ideas. At first, everything seemed fine. The students were chatting and collaborating, just what I wanted. But then, things started to spiral. The noise grew louder and louder, and it wasn’t just talking; it was students talking over each other, laughing, and moving around. The more I tried to get their attention, the more the chaos seemed to spread. I won’t lie, it was a little overwhelming.

In that moment, I realized something important: trying to quiet them down wasn’t working. I was struggling to control the room, and it wasn’t just frustrating, it was draining. That’s when I learned a valuable lesson: classroom management isn’t about being the loudest voice or forcing silence. It’s about creating an environment where students understand what’s expected and feel a sense of responsibility for how the class runs.

I took a step back and thought about how I could manage the activity better. I realized that before jumping into the task, I needed to set clearer expectations. I started explaining how the group discussions should go, giving time limits for each part of the activity, explaining how to respectfully take turns speaking, and how to listen to one another. Once I laid it out for them, things started to shift. The students weren’t perfect, but they started to take the guidelines more seriously, and I saw a real difference in the way they engaged with each other and the task.

What I learned from that experience was that managing a classroom isn’t about shouting over the noise. It’s about setting the tone from the start and giving students the tools to succeed. I may not have been perfect, but this challenge helped me grow in ways I hadn’t expected, and it reminded me that being flexible and proactive is key.