Miranda Fink

4/27/15
EDU314
Dr Candy Villagomez
Classroom Management Plan
Classroom management is a key component in anyones classroom. I
believe that students will gain the most knowledge when the environment,
setting, and mood are beneficial to the students. One of my main goals in
becoming a teacher is having the right environment so students can learn
with maximum potential. There are many parts to a classroom management
plan and they all work together to make the classroom as efficient as
possible.
Having classroom management is different for each teacher. What one
teacher does, may not work with another teacher or what works with one
group of students may or may not work with another group of students.
Teachers will always be changing and modifying their classroom
management strategies.
I personally have a constructivist view when it comes to teaching.
Constructivism is a theory of knowledge where the students create
understanding and meaning by their experiences. I believe students learn
from their interactions with others, the experiences they have in life, and
from the relationships they build at home and school. Keeping the students

actively engaged with their peers, many lifelong lessons will be learned
during these hands-on experiences. Promoting this type of classroom is in
my control, it is my job to encourage an environment with social
collaboration.
Recently I did a survey which told me what kind of classroom
management I would have; authoritarian, authoritative, laissez-faire or
indifferent. I scored the highest in authoritative which is when the teacher
places limits and controls on the students but encourages independence at
the same time. I thought this management style best described me because
I want to have a positive and supportive relationship but they will know when
I mean business.
One of the main components for my classroom management plan is
the classroom environment and design. As a teacher, I am trying to always
encourage social interaction amongst my students. My classroom will be a
safe and challenging environment, benefiting each individual student. Each
school district is different when it comes to room assignments, but I am
hoping to have lots of natural lighting in my classroom. There have been a
number of studies done on the benefit of natural light in the classroom and
workplace. Eliminating distractions, more efficient students, higher
standardized test scores, improves health and growth, and the list goes on. I
am personally a firm believer when it comes to natural light, in all
circumstances. Seating arrangement is another huge factor in my classroom.

Keeping the students engaged in the lesson and encouraging students in

meaningful class discussions is important to me, but may be a challenge at
times. Once again, depending on the school one may have a choice of tables
or individual desks for each student. Right now, I am still indecisive on which
I would prefer, I think both have multiple benefits. Regardless of what my
students will physically be sitting in while learning, the arrangement will
encourage discussion among peers. Having the students in pods, groups,
horse shoe shape, L-shapes, and other similar arrangements keeps the
classroom student-centered rather than teacher-centered. Classroom color,
carpeting, bulletin boards and posters, use of music within the classroom,
scents and so on are another part of the classroom setting. I am determined
to have an inviting classroom to all students but these details will be
completed once I am actually in my own classroom!
Establishing classroom rules and following through with the rules can
sometimes be hard for new teachers. I am resolute to follow the rules that I
establish for my classroom. Often times the classroom rules may have to be
revised based on the behavior of the students in your class. For the longest
time I liked the idea of creating classroom rules as a class, where the
students and I create and agree on the rules as a whole. Regardless of my
classroom rules, I will be sure that my students follow the rules and if they
chose not to, there will be a consequence for their actions. Along with the
classroom rules, my students will have expectations. Students will know what
kind of behavior I expect from them as well as how their assignments are to

be done. Having an assertive discipline is my plan for my classroom.

Assertive teachers react quickly and in confidence in situations that need
behavior management. These directions are given consistently, with a firm
and clear manner. Teachers must use a stern voice and use eye contact
when disciplining a student for their misbehavior.
All of these components play an important role in classroom
management but the one that ties all of these together is the attitude I have
as a teacher. My attitude towards the students can either make or break the
day. My children will feel a sense of comfort and ease while being in my
classroom. Rudolf Dreikurs suggests that the behavior that students show
result in their individual purpose. His theory suggests that human beings act
out on their own personal bias, the outside world may have an effect but
what one interprets in their mind is how they are going to act out. As human
beings, it is natural for us to have a need to belong and be accepted, when
students are struggling in acceptance, this is usually when misbehavior
begins. Talking to students about their home life shows that I care what is
going on with their life personally and knowing that someone is paying
attention to them specifically. Each student will be appreciated and made
aware of their importance and role within the classroom. Having relationships
with the students is very important to me and will be part of my classroom
management.

There have been so many different classroom management and

behavior theories presented over the years and are continually being
presented. I believe pre service teachers can have this idea of how they want
to run their classroom and they can like this theory and parts of another
theory but in reality, their own theory or plan will change once in the
classroom. I cannot wait to start that journey, even with the headache I know
it will bring! Classroom management is different for each teacher and each
teacher needs to find their own niche to keep their classroom under control
and beneficial for all the students that walk through that door!