Classroom+Management+Plan

=My Classroom Management Plan =

 After being a graduate of Rider University, I would like to obtain a elementary teaching position and begin Graduate School. My ultimate goal is to become an administrator or principal of a public or private elementary school. However, before that can take place I want to teach in a public or private elementary school most likely in a suburban setting. The county I especially want to teach in is Monmouth or Ocean. Class sizes are reasonably small, around twenty; the town is close to my family and friends and is only minutes from the beach. My ideal grade would be first; however, after this semester I am having second thoughts and might want to try second or third. As an elementary school teacher it is ideal that you teach all of the subjects. However, Math has always been a strong point for me through out my academic career and I enjoy teaching it.
 * Section One: Context **

 My ideal classroom would be for there to be plenty of room and space. Many classrooms I have been in always seemed squished and crammed. I never want to be "on top" of my students. I want there to be floor space for them and my self to move around. Each classroom is different. However, I want mine to be catered to the children. I want the classroom to be organized and structured. Frequently used materials need to be accessible to the students. That is why in my ideal classroom there is also a lot of storage around the entire room so everything from books to glue has a “home”. I have also come to realize that it is essential to build a classroom community. That is why I want a lot of rug and floor space for my students and my self to read books and make memories. In this aspect, the children will be able to grow and learn in a safe and loving environment. Having an environment that invites children to explore, observe, investigate, test and discover will allow for that classroom community to build.
 * Section Two: Physical Design **

 As I mention before building a classroom community, I believe, is the most important component to a classroom management plan. The children need to feel safe in order for any learning to occur. That is why I would want to plan my rules of the classroom with my students. I want us both to understand the expectations of the classroom. When the rules are created with the children I feel that they will better understand what consequences will be made if they break one of there own rules.
 * Section Three: Rules **

 Having routines is important for classroom organization some of the most important routines I would defiantly want defined in my classroom is morning/class arrival, what to do when assignments are completed and what to doing during transitions. I believe these three elements are the most important when it comes to classroom management. When the children arrive they will need to unpack and have a morning activity. The morning activity will always be set up for them everyday and the children should understand that once they arrive in the classroom the day has begun. Another important routine is what to do when someone finishes an assignment early. Throughout the past years I learned about file folder games, I think they are a great way for the children to still be engaged in something even when there work is done. I would also want there to be a signal, for example putting up two fingers for completing work early. I will be able see the two fingers go over to the student check their work. Once this is done they then can go get a file folder game or silent read at the classroom library. Besides all of the routines for work I want to also make it clear that transitions from subject to subject or recess to subject needs to be quiet because that is most likely when directions are going to be given and the students need to understand what is happening so that we will not have to waist any learning time.
 * Section Four: Routines **

Even though I consider these to be the three most important routines. I still believe the children need to know when and how they can get supplies. I want my classroom to be organized so the children need to know where things are such as glue, scissors, and pencils. Another common routine is when can the students use the bathroom. Ideally, I would like for there to be a bathroom in my classroom if so I would most likely use the technique one of my cooperating teachers used, which is raising your hand with your pointer finger up (this is also used when you need a tissue). That way I can easily nod to them during centers and they can easily go with out distracting other students. Another important routine is housekeeping. Since I want my classroom to have structure I want to make sure that there is also student jobs. This is not just my classroom, but it is also the students as well. There is a part for everyone and the children will need to know how every job works because most likely they will have that job at some point during the course of the year. Along with arriving and morning work I would also want the students to check in homework to their corresponding bin. During my prep period I will make sure to look at the children’s work and return it to them by the end of the day, so that it can be taken home. The last routine I would go over with my students is getting the whole class’s attention, I would teach them different techniques such as “clap once if you can here me, clap twice if you can here me” or simply ringing a bell and the students must drop what they are doing put there hands on there head and listen to directions. These are just some of the classroom routines that I believe are important to a classroom.

I have come to realize that for me, building a relationship with your students is the most important element in a classroom a management plan. If we want students to take risks we need to care. Learning takes risk; if the students do not feel safe they will not take risks. That is why I believe as a teacher you need to show you care through out the entire day not just when you want to. Three specific strategies that I plan to incorporate into my practice would be, be fair, be respectful, and to hold high expectations. Being fair to each and every student will show you care because you are not playing favorites. Everyone has the same consequences. When the children see that you do not pick sides they will not be afraid to come to you when they need help. Once this is established showing respect for the students will help them feel safe and build on the goal a safe classroom community. As a future teacher I want to be able to set high expectations for each and every one of my students. School is not day care, so as a teacher you must also take into consideration that they are here to learn and develop. When they understand that you know what is best for them it will be easy to develop trust with your students.
 * Section Five: Relationships **

 Since building a classroom community has become one of the most important elements in my classroom management plan the three specific strategies I plan to incorporate into my practice that will help foster a sense of community among your students is having a morning meeting everyday, making sure to use positive teacher language and most importantly working with the families. During my Junior year at Rider was one of the first times I have ever heard or learned about Morning Meeting and Responsive Classroom. I like that the approach emphasizes social, emotional and academic growth. It also sets a tone for a respectful learning and establishes a climate of trust. It motivates students and mergers social, emotional and intellectual learning together. I have also learned that throughout the entire day you need to always be using teacher positive language. That way you will always be building on that classroom community. Using positive language makes the children motivated and eager to learn. However, another component that does not come up at frequently as it should is incorporating the families into the child’s learning. I believe the families are just as important as the teacher. You want them to be on the same page when it comes to their child’s learning. The same expectations you hold with your students you also need to hold with the parents. As a future teacher, I want the parents to be able to trust my judgment and me. Once these expectations are meant, building upon the goal of the classroom community can be accomplished.

 If prevention is used in the classroom there should be little misbehavior. However, as a future teacher I plan to create consequences according to my class. Just like with the rules of the classroom I think it is important to establish consequences with the class as well. Doing this at the beginning of the year will establish the start of a classroom community. When the children understand their own consequences that they made, I believe they will less likely misbehave.
 * Section Six: Discipline **

 Minor misbehaviors are bound to happen almost every week. I plan to use the strategies I learned such as the look, proximity and eye contact when trying to correct a minor misbehavior. However, if these do not seem to work I would simply take the child aside and warn him or her that they are in danger of receiving one of the consequences on the chart that we as a class created. More Serious misbehaviors will result in a consequence from our class made chart. Even though I want the consequences to be planed with the students I will make sure they are logical and effective consequences. I have also come across thorny misbehaviors. One idea I really liked was the five B’s. Do not interrupt the teacher unless it is one of the following: blood, bullying, broken bones, barf, and/or bee-sting. For elementary school children this covers almost every aspect of thorny problems in the classroom. Chronic misbehaviors are something that is on going in the classroom. Therefore, I would handle each student case by case if this was to happen. I do not believe their needs to be a “set in stone” rule. Every child is different and dealing with chronic misbehaviors will have to be dealt individually.