Classroom Management

Plan
Signature Assignment
TEL 311
Arizona State University - Fall 2015
Emily Thiessen

Table of Contents

Self
Introduction3
Classroom
Layout...4-7
Classroom Procedures
Beginning of
Class...8
End of
Class.8
Transitions.......8
Collecting
Homework.9
Handing Back
Work....9
Material
Distribution...9
Student
Absences.9
Late
Work..10
Grading
Policy...10
Parent
Communication.10

Consideration of Diverse
Learners10
Rules &
Consequences...12-13
Personal
Summary...14

Self Introduction
My name is Emily Thiessen and I am currently a student at the Mary Lou Fulton
Teachers College at Arizona State University. My educational background includes an
Associates Degree in Arts from Paradise Valley Community College and an in-progress
Bachelors of Secondary Education Degree with a concentration in History. I have been involved
in multiple educational outreach programs including the Festival of Tales, a large, collaborative
literacy experience that offers children and their families a variety of activities that promote the
power of literacy.
I have always had a pull to fight for my country, and I believe that the best way to do this
is to be on the front lines of education. I am passionate about being an agent of change in the
school system of the United States. I want to make students excited about learning and help them
find and utilize their passion for their future. A profession that is more challenging, more
rewarding, and more life changing does not exist. We as teachers are equipping the next
generation with long lasting skills that will help them unlock their greatest potential beyond the

classroom. In five years I can see myself standing in front of a high school classroom making
each and every one of my students fall in love with history just as I have. It is my goal to
challenge students, and myself, in a way that makes us have the patience to doubt and the desire
to seek.
In alignment with the research executed by Dr. Fred Jones and Madeline Hunter, every
student who walks into my classroom has the right to learn. Students walk with a different
perspective of the world than those around them, and that perspective should be addressed and
respected. Teaching students of all races is an honor and a privilege, and I believe that classes
should be decorated with every color of the racial spectrum. Every child is special in their own
unique way and I cannot wait to explore the realm of teaching with rich diversification in all my
classes.

Classroom Layout Map

Classroom Layout Legend

Classroom Layout Explanation

My classroom is capable of accommodating 32 students. This layout was influenced
mostly by one of my previous teachers as well as Dr. Fred Jones. I believe that a classroom
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should be very conducive to learning; it should be an open environment that cultivates both focus
and cognitive strength. The way that I have placed the equipment in my room will have a hint of
a classic arrangement style with a boost of modern technology and teaching techniques that will
encourage my students to be the best they can be.
The students desks will be in sections and rows. There will be six rows of five for 30
students with an extra large desk to accommodate children with disabilities or if there is an
overflow of students. Each desk is three feet apart from the next which will provide optimum
space in case of an emergency. The floor will have tape markers on it so if the students move
desks for a discussion or group work, there are simple guidelines to place them back into their
appropriate layout. There will be a television in the front left corner of the classroom for the
students to watch announcements, and an American Flag next to the TV for students to recite the
Pledge of Allegiance. Both the Television and the Flag will be mounted near the ceiling so that
students cannot tamper with either.
I decided to place my teachers desk in the front right corner of the room so that I have a
good view of my students and how well they are staying on task. The placement of my desk is
also the most practical when it comes to spatial management. There are no obstructions in the
front of the class and it allows an easy flow of traffic if students try to approach my desk. On my
desk, I will have a personal computer for all of my lesson plans, grades, etc. This computer will
also be connected to the class SMART Board and will be accompanied by a document camera
for easy access and safekeeping from the students.
Behind my desk, I will have my locked cabinet. Placing it here will allow for maximum
security and I will be the only one with access to it. My unsecured file cabinet will be placed
next on the wall to the left of my desk so that when I retrieve handouts for my students, I will
have easy access to the first rows, the students will pass handouts to the back if there were no
handouts on the homework table (I will address this topic later in my reasoning). There are two
trashcans in my classroom, one next to my desk and one next to the door. Both of these trashcans
will be out of reach so as not to tempt students to throw away trash like an NBA player.
I will have two whiteboards mounted at the front of my class which have small sections
like This Day in History, the daily objective, and reminders such as homework and classspecific announcements. My SMART Board will be placed in the middle of the two whiteboards

for an aesthetically pleasing combo. I plan to use the SMART Board for PowerPoints, videos,
and possibly group activities.
On the far left wall, I have decided to place one very large bulletin board that will have
information about college, SATs/ACTs, school announcements, and grade postings (by ID
number only). When the students walk into the classroom, there will be a homework station. This
is meant for students to turn in their homework, and pick up any papers or instruments that I may
have them using that day. A key procedure in my classroom will be going straight to the
homework table so that students are prepared for the days lesson.
My favorite part about my classroom is the reading tree. This is a little something extra
that I want to add for my students. In the back right corner, there will be a depiction of a tree
with bare branches. Every time a student reads a book, I will write the title of their schoolappropriate book on a colorful paper-leaf and staple it to the tree. The goal of the tree is to
encourage literacy and foster literary imagination. I will have reading chairs for my students and
bookshelves that have learning-centered books for children to check out. When they want to
check out a book, they will write their names and the title of the book on a provided sheet. They
will have two weeks to either return the book or renew their renting contract. This will work as a
reward system, if students from all of my classes collaboratively read 250 different books, I will
reward them with some sort of small class party that will not take away from the curriculum.

Classroom Procedures
Beginning of Class:

Teacher will stand near the door as the students walk in in order to greet them as well as

establish the tone for the day.

Students will make their way to the homework table to turn in the previous days

homework and collect handouts for the period.

Every student is expected to calmly make their way to their assigned seat to begin the

day.
Students will begin bell work that is displayed on either the whiteboard or the SMART

Board.
When the bell rings, the students will have an additional four minutes to complete the bell

work and prepare themselves for the day while the teacher takes attendance.
Once their time to work has come to an end (displayed by the stoplight timer in the front
of the room), the students will share their answers by talking with their shoulder partners.

End of Class

When the class period has five minutes left, the students will be given thirty seconds to

pack up their belongings except a writing utensil and a piece of paper.

After their thirty seconds, the stoplight timer will be set to three minutes to give students
ample time to respond to the closure questions. They must turn in their closure answers to
the designated tray on the homework table before they leave the classroom, this will be

part of their daily participation grade.

When the bell rings, the teacher will dismiss the students and prepare for the next class.

Transitions Between Activities

Prior to switching activities, the teacher will give explicit instructions and tell the

students what is understood of them.

The initial instructions will be displayed on the SMART Board.
The teacher will use popsicle sticks to check for understanding of the activity.
Once the traffic light turns green, the students will begin the activity. When the light turns
yellow, the students will have one minute to complete their thoughts. When the light turns

red, they will turn their attention to the teacher.

If an assignment is finished early, students will be allowed to quietly work on an alternate
assignment or read until the time is up.

Collecting Homework:
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The students will turn in their homework to the homework table upon entering the
classroom. Each period will have a designated turn-in tray for optimum organization.

Handing Back Work:

Once homework has been graded, it will be put in to a student-specific folder on the
homework table. The homework table will have period-specific files which contain the
students personal homework folder. If there is homework in their folders, the students
will be given extra time at the beginning of class to retrieve it.

Handing Out Materials:

Required materials will be on the homework table for the students to collect upon

entering the classroom

If the students need textbooks, the students sitting in the back row will provide books for
their row going forward. For example, since there are five students in each row, the
student in the back will retrieve five books and pass them forward. Once the students are
finished using their books, the students in the front row will collect the books for their

row and return them to the bookshelf.

If additional materials are needed, the student in the last row will retrieve the appropriate
number for their rows.

Student Absences:

If a student is absent, they are responsible for touching base with the teacher for any

make-up work.
Make-up work will be in folders, organized by day, pinned to the bulletin board.
Make-up work spanning back to more than one week will be in the teachers designated

make-up work binder. The student must approach the teacher to receive the assignment.
Students will have one day to make up work for each day they missed.

Late Work:

Late work will seldom be accepted for full credit, this depends on the circumstance.
If a student is purely negligent, then late work will be accepted for half credit the next
day, then not at all.

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Grading and Recording:

For homework, quizzes, and other shorter assignments, the turnaround period will be one

day.
For more intricate assignments such as tests, essays, and large projects, the turnaround

period will be one week.

In order to avoid data loss, the original grades will be recorded in a physical gradebook

then transferred into the schools online grade database.

Each essay/research report will be returned with constructive feedback.
If a student fails a test, paper, or project, they will have a chance to make corrections in
order to increase their grade the latter will be recorded as their final grade.

Communicating With Parents:

Each parent will receive the teachers class hours, school email, and school phone

number.
Any questions that arise will be addressed the same day to show respect and promptness

to the parent.
If these methods do not adequately address the parents questions, a conference can be
scheduled.

Consideration of Diverse Learners:

Classroom procedures will apply to all students and provide structure and discipline.
The teacher will consider the research done by Dr. Harry Wong as procedures are taught,

practiced, and reinforced.

If students fail to follow procedure, their privileges will be taken away (listening to music

during class work, working in groups, etc.). Failed procedure will be re-taught.
In the event of a failed procedure, the teacher must remember Dr. Richard Lavoies

method of patience with every student in the classroom.

Diverse learners will find shelter, strength, and hope in my classroom. They will be

shown patience, understanding, and kindness.

Procedures will be posted throughout the classroom to remind students of policies.
Every IEP and 504 plan will be respected for maximum learning in my classroom.

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Rules & Consequences

In my classroom, there will be five simple rules that will be simple and strictly enforced.
Each of these rules reflects the research and practice of Dr. Richard Lavoie and Dr. Harry Wong.
Every student will benefit from these rules, including disabled learners. They will be the
anatomy of the classroom and will be taught, demonstrated, and re-taught if the situation calls for
it. The rules will be posted at the front of the classroom in plain sight. The purpose of these rules
is to promote a safe and healthy environment that encourages learning and challenges students to
go beyond their personal best. Each rule is followed by a small explanation of why it is in place,
this will help the students understand why it is imperative that they follow these rules. These
rules reflect my personal teaching philosophy in that my classroom will be organized, shaped,
and built to foster ideals of learning, honor, and self-respect.

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The classroom rules are as follows:

1. Only one person will talk at a time this will help us exercise respect.
2. Appropriate language will be used at all times this will help us improve our vocabulary.
3. Personal grooming, chewing gum, and socializing will be done outside of class this will
help us practice self-regulation.
4. Stay in your assigned seats unless otherwise directed by the teacher this will help us
practice self-control.
5. Only the teacher dismisses the class this will help us remember who runs this show
Consequences for breaking these rules will be nonnegotiable and enforced by following due
process. Each punishment for the violation of these rules will appropriate and fitting. The only
additional consideration of consequences will be based on any students 504 plans or
Individualized Education Programs (IEP).
The consequences are as follows:

First Offense Warning/ Personal Conference with the Student

Second Offense Detention During Lunch or After School
Third Offense Call home
Fourth Offense Administrative Referral/Letter in File

The teacher reserves the right to skip any of these steps based on the severity of the situation.

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Personal Summary
This plan for optimum classroom management will lay the framework for the rest of my
students lives. In my classroom, not only will students learn how to be disciplined and treat
others with respect, but it will also teach my students about themselves and how they can grow
and prosper in a supporting learning environment. The skills that I teach my students will help
them as they go through college and through life as educated adults. I will build productive and
jubilant members of society who know that they can succeed in anything they put their minds to.
I will never turn away a child who comes to learn in my classroom, but when they walk through
that door, they come to work they will be expected to be diligent and industrious and have no
understanding of the word lazy. There will be an expectation of excellence and I will help them
to achieve their very best. Above all, my classroom will be a haven for everyone for the social
butterflies, for the forgotten, for the lost, for the tired and the weary, my door will be open.

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