Classroom Management Plan

Classroom management is an important part of the educational setting. It is an

integral part of setting the tone for academic learning and success. It
encompasses a variety of components such as effective planning, engaging
curriculum, and student collaboration. Additionally it includes the attitudes,
beliefs, and behaviors of the teacher and students. Having the right plan in
place creates an environment where students can feel safe, learn, and have
fun all at the same time!
The start of the year will be important for creating the right classroom
environment that will create a sense of community, foster relationships, and
learning. This begins with me taking the time to get to know each student in my
class both personally and academically through a variety of things from interest
inventories to Kagan activities and structures that help me know each student
individually. Through these activities, students will also have the opportunity to
get to know what they have in common with each other and how their
strengths and differences are an important part of learning and
working together. This will be ongoing throughout the year.
Philosophy:
My role is to inspire students to strive for excellence, to be critical thinkers,
and to prepare them for real-world experiences in a fast paced and evolving
society where they need to be able to collaborate with others and adapt to an
ever changing work and social environment. To effectively accomplish this, it is
my responsibility to guide students in lessons designed to facilitate self-discovery,
cooperative learning, social interaction, and critical thinking. These lessons must
also integrate technology and teach students how to use it responsibly. In my
experience, students who are given the opportunity to learn through discovery
and using technology have so much fun they dont even know they are
learning!
In addition to learning through discovery and having the chance to learn by
constructing experiences with those around them, it is also important to consider
the distinct needs and interests of my students. It is essential to see each child as
a unique individual with their own gifts to contribute to the classroom. As the
teacher, it is my job to help them recognize, discover, and develop these gifts
by creating a safe environment where expectations are clear and selfexpression is encouraged.

Room Arrangement:
Room set-up is important because it gives a first impression to students and
parents as they walk in the door. It creates the physical environment for
learning. As students and parents enter, they are met with walls and bulletin
boards that are bright, simple, and inviting. I believe that they should add to the
learning environment-not detract from it. They will include classroom rules,
student work, a word wall, and encouraging ideas.
The desks will be set up in collaborative groupings of 4 students per
group to create an environment that will engage students in critical
thinking, discussions, and reflection. I will use collaborative learning
strategies such as those from Kagan to make the content relative,
teach social skills, and to develop learners that are critical thinkers and
effective collaborators.
I like to walk around the room while teaching, rather than staying in one
stationary place in the front. With the tables arranged in collaborative groupings
with clear walk-ways I can walk around, engage more students, and create an
environment where students can talk and share ideas freely and comfortably. I
intend to use cooperative learning as an instructional technique to include as
many learners as possible.
The classroom library will be arranged with a variety of books, genres, and
reading levels. The book arrangement will be neat and organized by authors,
genres, topic, etc. to make books easy to find. I will create quiet reading area
that is comfortable and inviting so that students are encouraged to read and
develop a love for reading. I will also provide supplemental materials for
students to have access to for studying, writing or researching that is at varying
levels based upon their reading ability.
Classroom Rules
Classroom rules should be consistent with school policy. In addition, the
rules of my classroom will center upon mutual respect. The students
need to understand what respect is and how that looks in the
classroom. I would do this by engaging them in a conversation about
rules and their purpose and guide them in creating rules for our
classroom that are important for a successful year such as:

Be respectful of others
o Everyone has a right to hear and to be heard. That means that you
are quiet when its not your turn to talk (including when the teacher
is talking)

o Use kind words, encourage each other, No name calling or teasing

o Listen to the ideas and thoughts of others-even if they are different
from your ownyou might learn something new!
Make smart choices
o Take responsibility for your actions
o Be a problem solver
Always do your best

The rules are communally developed with the students because it encourages
ownership and then are posted for all to see. The rules are taught through
modeling, role-play and daily examples over the first few weeks or so, and then
firmly and fairly enforced. Rules that are not enforced or ignored tell the
students that the rules arent important, therefore it is essential that rules are
also enforced consistently.
Positive Reinforcement & Discipline
I will use a leveled behavior chart to help manage behavior in the classroom. I
know that students respond best to positive reinforcement and I will use this to
reward behavior rather than just to discipline. I will catch kids
being good and reward their behavior with verbal praise &
specific feedback along with using the behavior chart. I will also
use stickers, stamps and other rewards to reward good behavior.
Students will be given verbal warnings prior to moving their name
down on the chart. I also believe that students have the
opportunity to change their attitude or improve their behavior and can earn
their way back up on the chart. Whenever possible, I will speak with students
and peers privately about inappropriate behaviors and if a consequence is
given, take the time to be sure they know why it was given and discuss ways to
avoid this behavior in the future. There may also be times when it is necessary to
teach other students how to avoid reinforcing a disruptive student by giving
them ideas of ways they can accept responsibility for their own behavior and to
avoid contributing to unwanted behavior.
It is important to note that depending on the students and classroom, other
systems may be used to address problem behaviors on either an individual or
group basis. For students that struggle to keep the basic classroom rules, it may
be necessary to implement a behavior chart/reward system that meets their
needs rather than trying to make something work that is not helping the student
be successful.
Classroom Procedures

Procedures in the classroom will be consistent on a daily basis and will be

adjusted according to the grade of the student and the classroom layout. I will
have the daily schedule and objectives on the board to support student
learning and to foster self-assessment and motivation. The morning will begin
with me greeting each student by name and then routine will vary depending
upon the grade but will include a morning welcome where students will greet
each other by name and begin with a current event or question of the day.
Students will be taught expectations for how to line up for recess/lunch, how to
come in from recess/lunch and how to get ready to go home. Students
will know what to do if they need help from me and how to clean-up
and put away activities at the end of their time. Options for what
students can do when they complete an assignment early will also be
outlined.
The room will be well organized with a place for everything. This will
allow students work area to be free of clutter, which will allow students to better
focus. It will cut down on searching for items they need or questions about
where to put things. Students will know where to turn in homework, where to
find/sharpen pencils, and the procedure for lining up to go to recess and lunch.
There will be classroom helpers to help teach kids responsibility and to create a
team environment.