Classroom Management Plan

 

Classroom Management Plan

       

My classroom management plan starts with coming up with the class rules.  On the first day of class my students will be asked to write down rules they expect me to enforce.  Allowing students to be involved in the rule making process is an important part of building a classroom community in which the students feel respected and heard.  They will also be more apt to follow rules they set for themselves.

I will set up a routine that my students will follow.  My class will always begin with taking role.  I will then assess background knowledge if starting a new unit or do a review of content.  Then I will roll into the main lesson.  The second half of my class will be a reading group.  This splits my block into two sections and allows students to transition to something new.  Students will be asked to clean their area prior to leaving for their next class 1 or 2 minutes prior to the bell.  Students will be expected to remain at their desks until the bell rings and not congregate by the door. 

During class I will have cards with students’ names written on them.  I will call on students based on the cards that I pick up.  This encourages participation from all students and increased engagement since they know they can be called on at any time.  Additionally, I will not move on from students who don’t know the answer without first giving them time and leading questions to give them opportunities to succeed.  I will also be cognizant of students with social anxieties that I get on their level and allow them to participate without speaking to the whole class.  When I run my classroom, I do not spend much time in one spot.  I am always moving around checking on students and answering questions.  This is a great way to supervise students.   

I will set up my room in a manner that encourages social interaction among students in an academic setting.  I plan to have multiple students at each table or in desk groups.  I expect to use group work in the classroom regularly.  Additionally, I plan on having a table on one side of the room dedicated to teacher led small group sessions.  Finally, I want to have alternate seating arrangements in my classroom such as a small couch or comfortable chairs that students can purchase through the PBIS system.

Students will be able to earn PBIS points for being respectful, responsible, and ready to learn each day.  Students who do not demonstrate these characteristics will not be able to earn points.  I will also use PBIS points as rewards.  For example, when playing a kahoot review game, I might offer PBIS points to the top 3 finishers.  This raises the level of engagement in the review and gives students extra motivation.  PBIS has a feature in which students can get referrals for behavior that is completely unacceptable or when students do not respond to lesser management interventions.  This can lead to student suspensions or other forms of administrative action.  I do not intend on using this feature often but will if needed. 

Relationships are a critical part of classroom management.  Teachers must create relationships with their students if they want to connect with them and help them learn and grow.  Greeting students at the door with a smile is a great way to start the class.  Students will know they are important and are given a positive experience before class even begins.  I want to give students a ‘get to know me’ questionnaire so that I have an idea of likes and dislikes and what is important to them.  Knowing your students is the only way you can help them when they are struggling.

One thing I want to do to enhance my classroom management is to make my class engaging and interesting for my students.  Educational games and activities should be used as much as possible.  Students who are bored causes problems and more importantly are not learning.  I want to constantly be finding new and innovative ways to engage my students and create an enjoyable learning environment.

Finally, an important piece of the management puzzle is consequences.  Students will be aware of the consequences in my classroom for failing to adhere to the class rules.  I believe the best way to implement negative consequences would be in the following order:  Verbal warning to stop behavior, implement logical consequences, pull into hallway for a discussion, verbal warning about calling parents, call parents, referral.  I have learned the hard way that a failure to implement consequences in a consistent manner leads to a breakdown of classroom management.  Consequences for rule breaking must be given swiftly and consistently to maintain order in the classroom.  Negative consequences should only be given when necessary.  Positive consequences such as praise or PBIS points for doing what the student is supposed to do is preferable.  It also helps to give reminders to the whole class about rules and expectations without singling students out.