Ms. Schafer s Classroom Management Plan

Ms. Schafer s Classroom Management Plan

Introduction: The key to creating an ideal learning environment for my students is to have excellent classroom management. This is my plan of how I can create that atmosphere for my students. My ideal grade level would be first grade. This plan was created to fit lower elementary. However, it can be adapted to fit the higher levels grades. My goal is to make my students feel safe and comfortable, surrounded with positivity in my classroom. This is the plan I will use to help me accomplish that goal. First Day of School: Teacher Image: I will present myself to my students and others in a professional manner. This means I will wear business attire, which will include dress pants and a tasteful blouse. My make-up will be polished and my hair will be nicely groomed. I will great my students at the door with a warm smile and when speaking to them my voice will reflect positivity. It is important to be positive with my students at all times because it is in a positive environment that students truly thrive. I want to appear as a genuine, loving, firm, consistent teacher. Personal Introduction: To introduce myself I will gather my students on the learning rug. I will first tell them my name, welcome them to my classroom and tell them how excited I am to share the school year with them. Then, I will tell them a little bit about myself. This will include where I went to school, where my hometown is, what my degree is in and a little bit about my family. I would then show my students my All About Me worksheet (attached) that I completed about myself. Then, I would explain to my students that they will be completing the same worksheet so we can all get to know each other better. Seating Chart: My students will be seated in groups of 4-5 people. On their individual desks there will be their name tags. I will explain to my students that they are to sit at their assigned seats everyday when they come in for the morning.

Work Focus: The primary focus of the first few days of school is to create a positive climate for the classroom and getting the students acquainted with each other and the classroom rules. Setting aside time to create the rules of the classroom during the first few days will help save much time and effort during the actual school year. With that said, the first big task to accomplish on the first day of school will be to create a set of classroom rules as a class. The other task would be to get the students acquainted with each other. Procedures to be Taught and Content for the First Day: Like stated above, the two goals for the first day of school would be to have the students get acquainted with each other and to create a set of classroom rules. After I show my All About Me worksheet and model what to do, I would have my students complete their own. On this worksheet they write their name and complete these statements: 1. My Favorite Book 2. My Favorite Movie 3. My Favorite Animal 4. My Favorite Sport 5. My Favorite Subject 6. My Favorite Food 7. My Family 8. Other Stuff About Me Also, there is a place for the students to color a picture of themselves. Instead of coloring, I would take a picture of each student and paste it on the appropriate place on the worksheet. The second half of the day would consist of creating classroom rules and posting them in the classroom so everyone is able to see them. I would also take that time to explain expectations and discipline procedures to my students. Lastly, I would take the opportunity to show students around the classroom so they are familiar with where materials are located. I want my students to feel comfortable and free to express themselves in my classroom while learning and having fun. Therefore, taking the time to discuss what is expected of them throughout the school year is a necessary function.

Discipline Plan: Rules: I believe in order for the classroom rules to be truly effective, students need to participate in creating the rules so they feel responsible to upholding them. First, I will suggest to my students what I think the rules should be in our classroom. Then, I will ask for students thoughts. I would like them to share their opinions and tell me if they agree with the rules I brought to the table or if they can think of new rules. I would guide the discussion so every student is satisfied with the ending result. If an issue arises with our classroom rules as time progresses, then I would bring the issue to the class. I would ask my students, Do we need to change our rules so our classroom is safer for all? I want my students to realize they are responsible for their own actions. That is why it is so important that my students have a role in making our classroom rules. Here is a list of my ideal classroom rules: 1. Be respectful to yourself and others 2. Hearts are always caring and ready to learn 3. Keep your hands and feet to yourself 4. Listen to others when they are speaking 5. Obey all school rules As each rule is made, I would give an example of how each rule could be followed. For example, be respectful to yourself and others could be followed by taking turns at the drinking fountain and following teacher s directions. These rules would require different variations depending on the age of the students. Once all the rules are created and in place I would laminate them and place them somewhere in the room where all students are able to refer to them. Consequences: I believe in attempting to redirect students before giving them a consequence. It is very important to provide opportunities and reminders for the students to make good decisions on their own before jumping to a consequence. To help the students make good choices in my classroom I would ask them, Are you making a good choice right now? or Are you showing me your best behavior right now? These questions could help my students realize their actions are unwanted and they need to be changed. However, if a student is constantly questioned, inconsistency is developed between misbehavior and consequence. That is why it is extremely

important to be consistent when disciplining in the classroom. If I am consistent in my disciplining, then my students will realize that our classroom is a fair environment. In my classroom I will try to establish fair and consistent procedures so my students know exactly what is expected of them each day. Also, the consequences I provide for each student will match their misbehavior. For example, if a student did not complete their work during class time, I would give them a choice of doing it during recess or play time. The discipline system I have observed and used during my student teaching is called the Stoplight system. This is the system I would like to integrate into my classroom. Each student has three cards, one green, one yellow and one red. When a student misbehaves I would give them a warning. If they continue that behavior they will turn their card. The student is actively involved in the process of turning their card due to their inappropriate behavior. Here is the consequence each color would represent: Green: Good Behavior Yellow: 5 minute time out of play room/recess Red: 15 minute time out or call home depending on severity of behavior At the end of the day each student would take home a Behavior Chart sheet. The student will fill in the corresponding smiley face with the color of the card they were on at the end of the day. This will help with communication with the students parents and reinforce good behavior. Rewards: To reward excellent behavior in my classroom, I will enforce something called Superstar Tickets. If I catch a student doing something of good behavior, I will reward he/she with a superstar ticket. They will put their ticket into a bucket and at the end of the week I will draw three winners. These winners will get to pick from the prize box. In my prize box I will have erasers, pencils, candy and other small trinkets. Some examples of good behavior are: Helping a friend in the hallway Waiting your turn in line Raising your hand to speak Giving a Compliment By randomly awarding good behavior, students will be more motivated to be on their best behavior throughout the entire day. It is very beneficial for the both the individual student and the classroom when a teacher catches a student behaving appropriately. I am a strong believer in

positive reinforcement. Pointing out appropriate behavior helps other children recognize the good behavior and potentially model the behavior making good decisions themselves. Therefore, rewarding excellent behavior helps motivate students to always be on their best behavior. My discipline plan will be explained and modeled on the first day of school. A copy will also be sent home to parents so they can understand the system as well. Physical Space: I am going to have my room set up so I can view my students at all times and so one can easily move around in it. I would prefer my students not have individual desks. If they do have desks, then I would put them next to each other and seat them in groups of 4-6 students. I feel students can sometimes work better in a group, especially with lower elementary. The desks would be grouped in the middle of the classroom more towards the front. In one corner of my room I would place a large rug. Around the rug I would put shelves filled with books and bean bags for my students to sit on while they read. The rug would serve as the learning rug where whole group lessons would be taught. It would also serve as a classroom library where students can enjoy reading. My desk would be positioned in a way where I could be seated and view all of my students. Across the room I would have a kidney shaped table. This would be where I could work with students during small group time. Also, around the outside edge of the classroom I would have a round table. This table would serve multiple purposes. It could be used as a center for art, math, science or social studies. In the back of the classroom I would have multiple computers. My students would use these computers during free choice time or during centers. Then, upfront near the whiteboard, I would have a projector and a TV mounted on the wall. Students cubbies and coat hangers would be placed right by the door so they are able to take off their things right as they enter the classroom. Lastly, multiple storage cupboards will be placed along a wall to store all of my materials. For further details on the design of my future classroom see the following page. Instructional Materials: All of my classroom library books will be on bookshelves near the learning rug. Any other teaching books will be stored on a shelf behind my desk. At the beginning of each day students

will pick a book to put in their desk. They will read the book at their desks when all of their work is completed. In my file cabinet next to my desk, I will have all of the worksheets for the year. The worksheets will be organized into categories. To help me pass out worksheets or other work students may have, I will have a weekly helper called the paper passer. Each week it will be a new student. Students will have caddies at their groups filled with pencils, crayons, scissors, and glue. They are to share all of these materials. This will allow the students to easily access them and they do not have to be passed out. All of my manipulatives and crafting supplies that I will use when I teach will be stored in the big storage cupboards along the wall. Also, I will keep organized bins of lined, white and scrap paper by my kidney shaped table for my students to access at any time. When students have completed their work they will put it in the Done basket on my desk for me to look at later. Then, they will take the book that is stored in their desk and read it quietly at their seat. After I have looked at their papers, I will file them away in their folders for their parents to see. They will take their folders home every night. On the left side of their folders would be a left hand saying Left at home and on the right side of their folders would be a right hand saying Right back to school. This would help students remember what papers to bring back and what papers must stay home. If a student is absent they would have to look in the Were you absent? file folder to pick up the papers they missed. Lastly, my personal teaching supplies will be stored in my desk. Procedures: 1. Students will be expected to hang up their coat and backpack on their hooks when they come in first thing in the morning. 2. Students will be expected to complete morning work while the teacher takes attendance and lunch count 3. When students are done with their work, they are to put it into the Done bin on my desk. Then they are to get a book quietly and read at their seat. 4. If students do not finish their work, they will finish it during play time or recess. 5. All students are responsible for cleaning up after themselves 6. Students are expected to politely ask when they would like to leave the room 7. When the teacher is teaching, students are expected to be on their bottoms and follow the give me five method:

a. Eyes are watching b. Ears are listening c. Mouths and quiet d. Hands are to themselves e. Hearts are caring and ready to learn 8. When the buzzer/timer goes off, students are expected to quickly clean up their materials and stay in that center until the teacher directs them further 9. During snack time, students are to stay in their seats and finish their snack. 10. The teacher will post the schedule for the day on the whiteboard 11. The teacher will explain each center everyday 12. Each helper will complete their job for the week. Helpers will include: a. Paper Passer b. Door Holder c. Snack Passer d. Line Leader e. Lunch Counter I will rehearse each procedure with my students within the first two days of school. I feel it is very important to establish a routine for the students right away. That way, they will know exactly what is expected of them each day. If a procedure is done incorrectly, I will be sure to correct the behavior so confusion can be avoided. Just like the rules, I will post these procedures somewhere in the room and send a copy home to parents. Conclusion: I feel this classroom management plan is very well thought out and will be effective. With rehearsal and consistency, my students will have a solid routine down within the first few weeks of school. Having excellent classroom management is the key to creating a positive learning environment for my students. This plan will help me to provide my students with a warm, loving, positive atmosphere where they feel comfortable to learn.