Stephanie Muszynski

Grade 5
Classroom Management Plan
EED 521: Instructional Management and Planning
Fall 2014
Dr. Andrea Tovar

"I am somebody. I was somebody before I got here and I will be somebody when I leave
here"
Rita Pierson

Philosophy of Education
The most important tool a person can receive in life is that of education.
Education is our foundation for life- it shapes who we are and who we are to become.
As teachers it is important to take this into account each day as we step into our
classrooms. Just as much as students are expected to learn we are expected to teach,
to help shape students into becoming the absolute most valuable versions of
themselves. We are there to build their confidence and provide them with the tools
necessary to recognize that they can amount to whatever they set their mind to.

I grew up going to some of the best public schools my city had to offer. My
parents made sure that I received the best possible education the public schooling
system had to offer and how grateful I am for that. Just a few months after I was born
my mother stood in the line at the district offices to put my name on the Magnet List for
something that wouldn't be occurring for another five years. It was until high school, in
which I moved, that I was part of the magnet program. Through these schools I acquired
the value of education and received knowledge that acted as the entire foundation for
my eventual success. As many of these school held a diverse population of students I
was also granted the knowledge of acceptance and tolerance. These factors, I am
certain helped to pave the way for a future career in teaching.

In school I was never the top student, nor was I the worst. I received A's and B's
because it was expected of me and because I worked to get the grades not because I
was inherently smart. Had it not been for my first grade teacher - the one with whom I
can attribute my love for learning - I do not believe I would have the internal motivation
to succeed, as I do today. In first grade I failed in math, at the timed addition test; I
remember receiving a 68% and being completely devastated. Mrs. Trias worked with
me every single day until my D's turned to A's. Her dedication towards my success and
that of every student in her classroom is something that has stuck with me throughout
the years. The way she made us all feel, like a comfortable family is the way in which I
hope to set up my classroom.
I aim to have a classroom in which students feel comfortable voicing their
thoughts and opinions and where students feel that they are part of their education. I
hope for a chaotic oasis where each peace can be found in a slew of personalities.
Where learning is engaging, exciting, and personalized. Where a reading lesson isn't
just a reading lesson but an opportunity for each student to explore into the depth of his
or her mind. Where students are learning because they are curious, not because they
are forced to. I hope for a classroom where students, at such a young age, feel that they
are shaping and creating their own learning. A classroom in which I am, each and every
day learning something new from my students as they are from me.
In order to do so I know I must attend to individual student needs - their basic
needs as a human (Glasser, 2010) . In recognizing and attending to these needs I will
be reaching students on a level further and deeper than students but as human beings.
Glasser (2010) notes these needs as: survival, belonging, power, fun, and freedom. It is

theorized that by attending to these needs as teachers we will not have to force
knowledge and ability on students, rather they will pick up these skills on their own.
While I believe that attending to basic needs is incredibly important especially for
students I also believe that students must feel that they are a part of their learning and
education. We as a classroom will work together to make decisions that interest the
group as a whole. By being able to have a say in the classroom's operations and
lessons I believe that my students will have a much more vested interest, that their
curiosity in learning will reach the highest of peaks.
My duty as a teacher is to encourage students to crave knowledge about the
world around them. With each year it is my goal to consistently improve to go above and
beyond. I hope that each year I become someone better for them so that they may grow
to become someone for their communities, their families, and most important for
themselves.

Classroom Layout

As a teacher I intend to have a classroom that feels like a community - a place

that feels like a second home to students. In doing so I will be able to create a safe
place so that my students may become educated scholars. My classroom will belong to
my students not to me - they are to feel they have ownership of it.
Upon looking over the class layout I believe a community feel is evident solely by
the layout of the desks. Each pod will hold three to four students. According to Maria
Changs 2004 book on classroom management students in grade 5 work much better

when collaborating in smaller groups rather than those that exceed four individuals
(Chang, 2004). At the end of each pod will be a small shelving unit. These units will hold
student textbooks, scratch paper, trashcan, arts and crafts supplies and an assignment
bin. It is my hope that by having a unit at the end of each pod that students will learn the
necessity of self-reliance and organization. All pods will be angled so that students are
facing the SmartBoard, white boards and center stage. The stage will be the area in
which students, guest and I speak and address the class. By having this stage set up it
not only is a visual cue that tells the class that they must engage in active listening but
that when someone is standing on this stage students must be the most respectful
version of themselves. As it is one of my main goals to focus on public speaking I find
this area to be incredibly important and valuable to the classroom layout. Behind the
stage will be the SmartBoard and two whites, one smaller than the other. The
SmartBoard will stand between the two whiteboards and will be the central location at
which students will gaze their attention. The smaller of the two white boards will be the
area in which I will post the daily schedule, lessons with objectives and information that
students must be familiar with each day. The bigger white board will be utilized as a
white board. On this white board I will write down anything that the SmartBoard may be
too small to add onto during a lesson. Additionally I intend for students to use this board
just as I would - as an aid in teaching. This whiteboard will provide visuals for students
throughout the lessons.
When students enter the classroom they will be greeted with cubbies. These
cubbies will remain near the door as a reminder that they are to be out of sight an out of
mind during class instruction. Cubbies will hold any personal belongings students may

bring with them each day of class such as backpacks, jackets, boots, gym bags, etc. On
the opposing wall for the cubbies, next to where the front door remains will be a "student
work" bulletin board. This will have a calendar on it and will hold work that students
receive scores of 100% on. I placed this first bulletin board by the front door so that
students would look at it as they were entering and exiting their classroom. By having it
here for students to look at only during certain times this I believe will lessen student
distraction during class instruction. A second "student work" bulletin board will be place
next behind the teacher's kidney table.
On the opposite side of the room will be a reading zone. This will be a closed off,
private area that will always be quiet. The library will be a cozy area where students can
sit down, relax and read a book in a calm environment. A couch or other furniture
different from desk will be provided to help provide such an environment. This reading
zone will be blocked off with bookshelves that will hold a variety of literature. I hope that
my student library has literature ranging from pictures books, to chapter books, to
magazine to history books. I would like for students to have access to all different types
of texts as I know this will help with their reading skills. I also expect that some students
may have trouble concentrating on tests in a regular classroom environment so I will
utilize this area especially for those students. Students will be aware that this area, no
matter the reason for being in it will always be quiet. If they are to talk it must be in a
whisper chat and must lie outside of the bookshelves.
On either side of the bookshelves for the reading zone will lie desks or small
tables that will be used for private student work. Just as I expect that some students
may need an incredibly quiet area to work, such as the reading zone I also expect that

some students may need additional seating to help with the elimination of distractions.
These areas will be private areas in which students, who need to take a make up test,
be away from distractions, or take a test to ensure cheating is not occurring will seat.
Private work areas will never be used as areas of time out or punishment.
Next to the furthest private work area will be the student's resource center. I hope
that my classroom will have a minimum of three computers, four being ideal. The
resource center will be used as additional support. If a gifted student is writing a paper
and would like to go above any resources the class may have the student may use the
computer to conduct research. For lower students the resource center may be used to
provide additional support. If there is a student that is struggling with a certain topic and
there is a website available that will assist in the student's learning he or she may use
the computer for that purpose. Students will be aware that the computers are not just for
fun but for supplementary activities. Every now and then when I feel that students have
gone above and beyond, or when students have purchased time using "grabbers" I will
let students use these for free time.
I have placed my desk in the back corner next to the resource center and behind
the classroom because I feel that it will provide me with the opportunity to manage
student behavior and any events that may occur. This area will be My Zone. I do not
expect to be in this area frequently, only when I have work that needs to be completed.
When I am in My Zone students are not to disrupt me except in cases of the 3 B's:
bleeding, barfing, or burning. In My Zone I will have shelf space that will hold a box
containing student work, progress and any behaviors I may need to chart. This work will

be held for parent-teacher conferences or IEP meetings if necessary. Next to my desk

will be the kidney table.
The kidney table will be accompanied with a portable white board. This kidney
table will be intended for small group instruction or group work. This table will allow for
an opportunity for students and the teachers to get together and focus on certain
lessons or work together to complete a project. In college, I learned the value of
portable whiteboards during group work and believe that it would be especially valuable
by the kidney table. This portable whiteboard will provide a visual example just as it
does in the front of the class. It may move throughout the class or stay in its home
space dependent on student needs. Adjacent to the kidney table will be additional
storage that I hope will be placed in line with the student sink and water fountain. This
storage will be for myself not for students, as they have their cubbies and shelving units
at each pod.
Classroom decoration is huge for me and unfortunately is not something I could
put up on my classroom layout visual. I truly believe that a classroom is going to feel
more inviting with more decoration and posters. I intend to have motivational posters
hanging up, anchor charts, informational posters, a students about me wall where that
will be titled Ms. Muszynski's Minions (referencing the movie Despicable Me), and class
projects. I aim to have my classroom decor align with my personality and that of my
classroom. Without this I do not believe that my students will be as invited into the
classroom thus decreasing their interest involvement and education.

Procedures and Protocols

I expect my students over the course of nine months gain responsibility for
themselves. With these students closely approaching junior high I am to teach these
students independence and self-management skills that will help them to become self
sufficient.
When lining up for either entering or exiting the classroom, student will form two
lines - it does not matter who is in what line. I would like students to form two lines
because when walking through the school in a line of 30 students deep, managing
behavior may be complicated
For entering procedures, students will enter based off the class that is lined up in
the straightest line. When entering the classroom each morning students are not to use
their outside voices or chat with their friends, instead the are to remain quiet, get out
homework and begin working on bell-work until the school-wide announcements are
presented. Every other time students enter the classroom such as after recess or
specials they are to quietly head to their seats and get out necessary items for the next
subject of study.
When exiting the classroom students will line up into two single file lines outside
of the classroom walls. The students are to manage themselves in line and stop at
designated areas throughout the school until I tell them to continue. If students are
heading to specials they must make sure they have all of their items with them as I will
not allow for them to go back inside. I require this for my students because it ends up
being a case of each student needing to back into the classroom at separate times

because they forgot something - it is the students' responsibility to remember their items
each time they leave the classroom.
As I find it incredibly necessary for students to learn independence and selfmanagement skills student jobs will be a huge part of the classroom. Each week, I will
assign new jobs to new people. I will treat these jobs as if they were jobs in the real
world where compensation for time completed is rewarded. At the end of each week
students will receive grabbers, which will be addressed in the Expectations and
Responsibility, section. Students will be eligible for promotional cards which will include
a raise and more flexibility in their job and the powers of their job. Descriptions of
student jobs are as follows

Line Monitor
This will be one student each week who is to stand at the back of the line to
monitor student behavior. When students are not following proper rules for
being in line they will receive a ding and after 5 dings in a period of one month
students will receive monetary punishment.

Homework Checker
This will be assigned to two students each week. At the beginning of the day,
these students are to go around with their clipboard checking off those
students that completed their homework and those that did not.

Door Holder
This student will be responsible for holding all doors, during enterances or
exits.

Teachers Assistant

This job will be assigned to one student each week. If I am working

individually with a student this will be the student other students go to for any
questions related to the next steps they should take. This student will also be
the student that will run any errands I need such as picking up papers from
the copiers, going to the office, etc.

Librarian
The student who holds this job will be responsible for collecting students
books that are to be turned into the librarian each week. One student will
collect the books and take them all to be returned.

Treasurer
This student will be responsible for collecting any lunch money for the day or
week and delivering it to the cafeteria each morning.

Geek Squad
This job will be assigned to two students each week. If there are any
difficulties with the computers, SmartBoards, websites or PowerPoint
presentations, these are my go to guys! They will also be the ones
responsible for using the Internet to search for any information the class has
questions about.

Room Inspector
This will be the manager of the classrooms cleanliness- think of it as the class
mom. This student will be responsible for making sure student shelving units
are up to par, organized with all necessary supplies and trashes taken out.
They will also be the ones to monitor the cleanliness surrounding the pods.

In-Class Communication
My goal as a teacher for my classroom is to provide a classroom where respect
for one another and ideas is evident. I will expect that students partake in respectful and
active listening when someone is speaking. This will include students in tune with the
speaker, pencils down, eyes up and bodies facing the speaker they are not to be
concentrated on other subjects or assignments. In order to provide a respectful
environment in which students feel comfortable learning I will preach and encourage
non-verbal communications. In order to do this I will have hand signals for everything.
o Question: hand up
o Bathroom: 2 fingers
o Water: 3 fingers
o Whisper Chat: index and pinky finger up
o Hey I had the same idea: shaking y hand
o Yay!: arms in a celebration, mouths silent
By providing students with non-verbal communication I am giving them the
opportunity to express themselves in ways they are comfortable with while still providing
a respectful and caring environment for other students.
To reward non-verbal behavior I will have a pie chart posted up on one of the
white boards. This is a simple technique I will use that helps students learn what it
means to manage themselves during daily procedures. If students quietely and
effiecently enter the classroom I will give them a slice of the pie, if they work together
well and do not cause disruptions I will give them a slice of pie. Yet if they enter the
classroom with mouths moving a lot a slice of the pie will get taken off. If students

receive one whole pie in a week, the following Friday they will get a pie party. This Ive
found is an effective way for students to monitor themselves and other students in their
class. It encourages non-verbal communication and places self control on a societal
interest rather than that of ones own self (Dreikers).

School Policy
Booker T. Washington Elementary is a Title 1 school residing in Mesa, Arizona.
And while the title of being a Title 1 school does not define the students and the learning
produced, it does define the school standards. Throughout discussions with teachers at
the school I've learned that a few years back Washington Elementary (as it's known to
staff, parents, and students) was a very low school in academics and behavior - grades
were low, test scores even lower, and behavior was completely uncontrolled. Today that
is not the case and I believe the school policy and expectations Ms. Grimaldi has
established have really influenced the change.
Washington Elementary Schools mission statement can be found on its website
under the tab labeled Information. This mission statement reads:
We will, through the collaborative efforts of the principal, teachers, staff and
parents:

provide a safe learning environment

model integrity and respect

set high standards while engaging in quality teaching

so that students will

be empowerd to meet high academic expectations

be respectful of themselves nad others

take an active role in their learning

make responsible choices

in order to:

excel academically, socially, and phsycially in a school setting and

become successful, postivie, active members of their community and
our society. (Booker T. Washington Elementary, 2014)

Over the past quarter with the school I have found that each and every staff
member, no matter their position follows and works to make sure this mission is
consistently being met. I've found that all staff members are great with collaboration each and every student is their own and student achievement and safety will be met by
any means necessary. This school's layout is in that of individual pods where pods are
formed by grade level. The D pod, in which my classroom is located houses the 4th and
5th graders. This assists in the collaborative efforts of students both in grade level and
outside of the grade level. Each day classes are to break up by intervention groups in
which they are placed with new teachers for a block period. The first time I witnessed
this transition I was stunned by how well the students behaved and I began to realize
that this was the expectation Ms. Grimaldi had set forth and that it worked with each and
every student. Some students entered my Intern Mentor Teacher's Classroom, having
never met her and immediately acted respectfully towards Mrs. Bowman, they took an
active role in learning and modeled high levels of integrity. That was when my previous

beliefs about Ms. Grimaldi's strict rules dissipated - her vision for the school was playing
out and it was completely effective.
Teachers at this school have a vested interest in every single student and it so
incredibly inspiring to see. Ms. Grimaldi and the district of Mesa have implemented a set
schedule for each grade level and they are consistently monitored. Not only are the
students held accountable for their role in acting out the school's vision but so are the
teachers. With every teacher and supportive staff member I have met thus far I can see
just how important it is that the mission statement be carried out.
Students, likewise have a vested interest in the success and safety of their class
and schoolmates. Students are aware that the ideal student is not an ELP student who
succeeds in every school task they touch, but instead that it is a well rounded individual.
They are aware that integrity, respect, work ethic, and responsibility make up the ideal
student. They know that success isn't just personal but that is it also a group effort and
that if one person goes down the entire group does. This sets each student, at each
grade level up with expectations so as to not let their friends and classmates down. It
appears as though Principal Grimaldi's expectations and visions for her students has
effectively trickled down towards student implementation of the mission statement.
Having only been part of this school for one quarter I already know that when
applying to different school's as a teacher I will definitely look to work in a school that
holds their staff and students to the high levels of achievement and expectations.

Communication
I intend for my classroom to be a community where parents and I can talk at
ease about one common goal - their child. At the beginning of each school year I will
send out a parent letter. This introduction letter will let parents know about goals, my
expectations and myself for their child, the curriculum for the school year and ways they
can get in touch with me. I hope to use the app Edmodo to assist in communication with
parents and students. This app is a cross between Blackboard and Facebook. It allows
for the teacher to post any relevant extra curricular information, class assignments and
message parents and students. This is a great way to integrate social media and our
ability to be reached at all times into the classroom. I find that by having this, parents
may be more in tuned and up to date with the progression of their student and the
classroom. In my introduction letter I will also include my email address and classroom
phone number. These are resources I feel are necessary for parents to have as they
sometimes may be more convenient than an app. Each week, on Fridays I would like to
pass out Friday Folders - these will hold any letters or pamphlets the school passes out,
weekend readings such as Time for Children, student's work that differs from the norm
(good or bad), and student behavior charts. These folders especially when filled with
their students' work and behavior charts will assist in the community I am hoping to
build. By telling parents that I welcome their input, suggestions and concerns I am
hoping that we will be able to build a partnership that focuses on their student and the
ways in which we can help their student grow and succeed.

Parents and Guardians!

Welcome to the 5th grade!! I am so pleased to have your
child in my class! This is going to be an exciting year filled with
wonderful new challenges!
I am a recent graduate from Arizona State University in
which I received my Masters in Elementary Education. This was
terribly difficult for me because I am a die hard Wildcat! (And
your students will become Wildcats too!) As a student at the
University of Arizona I studied Psychology and in my last semester
of college realized that a career in education was exactly where I
was supposed to be! I hold a deep belief that each student can
and will succeed when they are provided with the proper
encouragement and tools. In doing so, I will ensure that your child
holds an intergral part in his or her education. Our classroom will
be that of a cooperative environment the students and I will be
working together and consistently learning from one another.
I am so eager to get to know student over this school year.
It is my ultimate goal for your student to become a confident
learner and I will do my best to help make this year a positive
experience. I gladly welcome your involvement, as I know it will
help maximize your childs learning. Our curriculum will challenging
and I will expect that your student tries his/her hardest to
succeed. I would love for each student to become the best, hardest
working versions of themselves.
This year I will ask that you supply students with pencils,
red pens, dry erase markers and Kleenex. The school will provide
all other school supplies.
For the first time every this
classroom will be using Edmodo an app
that allows for parents, students and
teachers to be kept up to date with the
classroom and aid as a source of
communication. You are always welcome to
contact me with any questio concerns at
sdmuszyn@asu.edu or by the school
phone at (480) 555 - 0124.
I cannot wait to meet you and
your student! Welcome again to 5th
grade and GO CATS!!

Miss Muszynski

Expectations and Responsibility

The "chaotic oasis" as I will refer to my classroom will be ever so important in my
procedures and protocols. Chaotic Oasis I am aware sounds contradictory which is
exactly my intention as I feel that it will help to provide balance. The chaos will come
into play from my personality and that of each student that enters the classroom. The
oasis will come into play through my procedures and protocols. Chaos will tell students
"Please! Be yourself!" The oasis will provide peace and order where the chaos cannot.
In my classroom posted on the wall behind in which the SmartBoard stands will
be the class rules. These rules will not be complicated, long rules but short and sweet.
They will be clear and to the point. Class Rules will read
1. Be kind
2. Be respectful
3. Be a problem solver
4. Make positive choices
5. Whisper Chat
6. Keep your teacher and classmates happy
These students having been in school know right from wrong, and proper behavior from
improper behavior having the rules is a way of holding them accountable for any actions
they may slip up on. In order to track behavior, that falls in line or out of line with the
class rules I will provide each student with behavior charts. Each month students
receive a new behavior chart. These behavior charts are not just to indicate bad
behaviors but also to point out the good. If I find a student has consistently turned in
tests on time, something that is normally not done I will mark the behavior chart

positively. If I find that students are consistently talking during class, and not using
whisper chat I will mark them negatively. These behavior charts will go home at the end
of each week and be signed or initialed by a parent so that the parent is consistently
aware of the students behavior in the classroom.
Additionally to increase student motivations I plan on utilize a monetary reward
called Grabbers. Grabbers will be handed out when students share their work with the
class, hand in important documents on time, do a good deed in class, complete their
assigned job successfully or anything that contributes to a positive student environment.
Grabbers will be taken away when students repeatedly do not follow class proceedings,
repeatedly forget to turn in assignments, or do not follow class rules. At the end of each
quarter students may exchange their grabbers for prizes such as jump ropes, books,
stationary, supplies, etc. The goal of the grabbers is not to reward good behavior but to
provide motivation to participate in classroom appropriate behavior.
Classroom Assignments
Students are responsible for turning in their assignments at the end of each day
or on the day that they are due. At the beginning of the year I will be flexible about
turning in assignments but as the year continues I will become more and more strict. I
plan on having a board that lists all of the assignments and the names of students that
have not completed - that will be used throughout the year. At the beginning of the year
students will not receive a penalty for late assignments. As the year continues penalties
will be put in places, first sitting out from fun activities, then grabbers, then the lose of
points until the end of the year when late activities will not be accepted. This is to teach
students the importance of self-management and responsibility.