Volume Meter and Daily Schedule
Visual Tools to Establish Classroom Expectations (Virtual Tour)
Stage of Literacy Development:
Stage 0: Foundation for LiteracyStage 1: Beginning Literacy
Stage 2: Consolidation / Fluency
Stage 3: Literacy for Growth
Ages:
4-12
Grade Range:
PreK K 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6thFood Groups:
Primary: Classroom Tips
Transcript
This is our classroom volume meter. This is something that I used in a previous classroom that I taught in. It was a special education classroom. In a special education classroom, visuals are very important. But what I found teaching the 5th and 6th graders this year is that at least 10-15% of the class needs to have visuals in the classroom but the rest of the class does certainly benefit from having these visuals. The volume meter in a 5th and 6th grade class helps the students understand that at different times of the day there are different expectations for the volume in the classroom. During certain periods, we need it to be silent when theyre working independently so that you dont distract the people working next to you and there are certain times of the day that you can be at a level 2 volume which means that you can be talking to your partner in a quiet whisper. For group discussions, you can be at a level 3. This volume meter also helps the students understand that a level 4 volume or level 5 volume is not appropriate for the classroom. Level 4 volume might be appropriate in the gym or at recess and level 5 volume is only appropriate in an emergency. I help the students understand that these are specific to different periods in the day by using this in conjunction with the visual schedule. So for instance, during period 3 today we had math and I use a color-coded system. I put number 1 next to math so they understand that during math there should be only a level 1 volume in the classroom. When its ok to be at level 2 volume I would write that next to the period in the day. This helps the students by providing them with visual tools to remember what the expectations are. This also helps me because it means Im not always prompting the students for what behavior I expect of them. When its right there up on the board, they just have to look up to remember which volume they should be at. A visual schedule is important in the classroom because it allows students to understand what they can expect from our day in school. I think its important in the morning to always go over the schedule with the students so that I can explain to them what all the activities will entail so that they know what to anticipate throughout the day and if they have any questions about what were going to do that day, they can ask me in the morning. I find it helps them stay organized, it makes them more independent, and it reduces some anxiety that students might have about their day in school.
Related References
Additional Link:
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD): Handbook for Qualities of Effective Teachers http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/104135/chapters/Classroom-Management-and-Organization.aspx
Activity Objective
The goal of Volume Meter and Daily Schedule: Visual Tools to Establish Classroom Expectations (Virtual Tour) is to provide easily accessible visuals in the classroom to support student learning. This teacher explains the value of using a Volume Meter to help students understand appropriate sound-level expectations for different activities. She also discusses the importance of posting and reviewing the Daily Schedule in the morning so students know what activities to expect throughout the day. By indicating specific Volume Meter levels beside certain activities on the Daily Schedule the teacher draws students attention to the importance of maintaining reasonable sound levels in the classroom for various types of learning.
Quick Tips
Additional Comments:
- For younger students, it may be more useful to post pictures or symbols on the daily schedule rather than using written details. This is especially valuable for students with learning difficulties of various sorts. - When you first introduce the Volume Meter to the class, its a good idea to review the volume expectations for each activity. For example, before students begin working on seat work in math, review what level they are expected to work at. Overtime, they will become accustomed to the volume expectations and the need for prompts or reminders will gradually decrease.
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