Fatemh Reslan

Classroom Organization and Management Plan Module #7.1

Research and Theories:
As an educator, I am a firm believer that it is absolutely necessary to maintain a safe and
productive atmosphere in order to maintain classroom procedures throughout the school year.
This is only done when there is an efficient classroom management plan that both the teacher and
the students can understand and agree to. As an authoritative and constructivist teacher, I work
towards giving students independence in their work but also encourage collaborative group work
as well. I reinforce the guidelines of the classroom, where students know, understand, and agree
to what is expected of them. This not only makes classroom environment run smoothly but also
allows an agreement where students and teacher believe the rules are fair and acceptable. With
the classroom philosophy that Harry Wong has established, I find myself utilizing many of the
concepts that are stated in his To-Do List along with the First Days of School piece as well.
Harry Wong simply instructs that teacher should from the start establish a sense of control where
students are aware of where everything goes, how to transition, and how to behave respectfully
which is exactly what I reinforce in my classroom. This supports my teaching and learning
statement because I allow students to make their own decisions but expect them to know to make
the correct decision according to the classroom rules and guidelines.
Elements of the Plan:
In order to have a community of learners, as the teacher I must establish what is expected
of student sand have them understand that our classroom is a community. Students need to re
respectful, responsible, and safe in order for our classroom functions to take place accurately and

Fatemh Reslan

efficiently. Approaching teaching with kindness and empathy helps students and the teacher both
work together in order to maintain the learning community.
Another aspect to having a community of learners is keeping students organized. When
students are organized they get more done which is always the issue. With the lack of time,
organization is key. Also, because the classroom is not only for teacher but also for the students,
they must understand that this is their learning space and their learning space must be taken care
of just like their own homes. So maintaining a clean and organized classroom is very important.
With this being said, students are to be responsible for keeping their table and group materials
neat and organized as well as their desks. With all these in neat manner, transitions between
blocks would be easy and make everything more effective. Students will know how to go about
daily activities such as raising their hand for the bathroom pass, waiting in their seat to sharpen
their pencil after their classmate finishes, and even the consequences for their actions. Students
have specific consequences for specific actions. If a student does not do their homework, they
stay for lunch and do it or go over it with the teacher. If this process continues, parents will be
notified and student will have to join after school tutoring. Students who misbehave, are not to be
given recess and cannot participate in classroom bingo. In contrast, students are also rewarded
for good behavior. Students receive a star every time they do something exceptional in class for
example; help a friend or teacher. At the end of every month the stars are used towards
classroom bingo or other rewarding games in class. Every student is always expected to follow
the rules:

Be Respectful

Be Responsible

Be Safe

Fatemh Reslan

Students will be respectful by waiting patiently for teachers attention, speaking when its
their turn, listening to others when they are speaking, and keeping the room clean and organized.
Students will be responsible by being on time, bringing all necessary and required materials,
giving their best effort, and participating positively. Lastly, students will be safe by learning and
following classroom expectations, keeping aisle and classroom organized, and waiting politely
for teacher to dismiss or direct class. Every instruction allows students to uphold these rules and
allows them to maintain a learning environment when doing so. For accommodations, all lessons
will have modifications for all diverse learners. Students always have the option of working
while standing, sitting, or somewhere in the room allowing them to stay moving and keep
comfortable. Comfort and movement helps stimulate the brain and allows students to use their
mind more often. Students will have visual aids represented with every activity to have them
better understand and for ESL students have an additional reference when deciphering directions.

My daily classroom routine usually is the same with time management that keeps
students organized and prepared for everything they do in school. My daily classroom routine
usually is in this timely fashion with the exchanging of activities and lessons of course but every
time has a specific content area or function. Between every block, there is a five-minute window
where students are transitioning. Students know when to transition ahead of time because they
are aware of the schedule (it is their responsibility to know) and I will announce transition time.
They will be moving around respectfully and quietly during the transition time. Also, during the
first block, students will be called either individually or by table to grab their snack. They are
allowed to have their snack during math block.

8:35-9:00 Advisory time: At this time students unload backpacks and jackets, bring in
their homework folders, book backs and planners, turn in homework folders and book

Fatemh Reslan

backs in the designated spot, find their seat and begin on the bellwork that is provided. I
take attendance during this time and have a grand discussion with the students about
current events.
9:05-10:30 Math: Students transition and grab all the necessary materials, find their seat,
take out their math journals and begin the math activity or work of the day. As a class, we
go through many math strategies depending on the content at the moment and students
are usually working within their table groups or with a buddy. Often, a review takes place
at the end of the math block.
10:35-11:55 Daily
af Students grab their daily five boxes that contain their work on
writing and silent reading books. Students must find a spot in the room where they are
away from classmates and in their own bubbles. It is to be absolutely silent and students
will work on writing or silent reading depending on what they were doing the previous
day or we were discussing. I will go around and work on reading strategies with students
individually or in groups depending on the circumstance.
12:00-12:30 Lunch: Students will have put all their Daily 5 materials away and are seated
quietly waiting to be called upon for lunch line up.
12:35-12:50 Science Block: Students arrive from lunch transitioning into the science
block. During transition time they retrieve all their materials and begin their science
work, which is usually based on inquiry skills and strategies. Science work is usually
done in groups.
1:00-1:50 Writing Students transition and take out their writers workshop materials and
journals. Students are usually working individually and quietly as I go around and work
with students on their writing.
1:55-2:30 Music/Gym/Art: Students line up correctly to walk down to the special along
the length of the classroom. They are quiet in the hall and walk in a straight line with
their bubbles and tails. (Hands to themselves and their mouth shut and are not speaking)
2:35-3:10 Reading comprehension/Social Studies: Students transition and take out their
social studies or reading journal. Depending on the lesson or activity that day, student
work varies from group work to individual.
For the last ten minutes, students are filling in their planners and organizing their
backpacks to take home. I usually read a story or have a classroom game or trivia on
content that was discussed in class.

Fatemh Reslan

My Ideal Classroom

Above is a diagram of my ideal classroom. As shown, there are student tables rather than
individual desks or seats because I believe that students learn best when working collaborative
and in groups. Another concept that makes my classroom unique in my opinion is the square rug.
Regardless of what grade level I am teaching, from lower elementary to upper elementary, I will
always have a rug of some sort or a spot where students can gather all at once and sit quietly for
some sort of reading whether it is them reading or myself. Also gives students a space for sharing
with one another and classroom presentation, which is something that I highly recommend and
use in my lessons. When students have the chance to share their work, it gives them a sense of
accomplishment and allows them to show off all their hard work rather than just turning in their
work to the teacher for grading. There is also another rug area for reading and art where students
can share there in small groups or work in small groups during classroom activities. For daily
five, students read silently and my classroom allows students to have space for their comfort
while reading. There are computers in my classroom which can be used during individual work

Fatemh Reslan

time and a bathroom and sink so students do not have to leave the room when in need of a
restroom. With everything in my classroom such as a television or a projector, it will make our
time together more efficient and there will not have to be a moment where we are going out of
our room or way to learn. Everything is provided and available for our use and comfort.

Roles:
The correct behavior and character is expected from both the teacher and students at all
times. Students are active and engaged learners and are open to all learning opportunities and the
teacher is the facilitator. Although, there is a mutual respect and understanding, student and
teacher are never friends. As a teacher, I try my best to be a model of excellent behavior and
commitment to learning so that my students can try to do so as well. My job is to make sure that
all students are learning regardless of learning type and are respectful, responsible, and safe at all
times.
As a teacher, I try my best to involve parents and family members whenever I can do so. I
always allow parents to make appointments to come in during an activity to help our classroom
functions. It is always nice to have parents see their children work and it also has students on
their best behavior. I would definitely use the remind 101 where a text is sent to the parents
phones reminding them of things such as important meeting, events, or opportunities for both
them and their child. Parents also have the option of contacting me through a blog that I have set
up for the class along with the newsletters that they will receive fro their childs home work
folders. I am always open for any concerns they might have along with organizing time for them.