Learning Environment

Classroom Management
Positive Climate Building Activities:
In order to help establish a positive classroom environment, I will focus
on building a community in the classroom where everyone is equal. On the first
day of classes, I will conduct a get-to-know-you activity with the students.
Each student will be given a piece of paper with a list of numbers. They will form
a group with all of the students whose first number matches their own. After a
few minutes, they will regroup based on the second number. While they are in
their groups, they should learn a little bit about each member of the group. This
will help the students feel a bit more comfortable with the class by allowing
them to get to know each student in it. I also plan to do several group quizzes
with the students, where they will all be expected to do the work together and
make sure everyone is doing well.
Behavioral Expectations:
1. Follow directions the first time they are given.
2. Respect others at all times.
3. Come prepared for class.
4. There is no such thing as a dumb question.
5. If you do not succeed at first, try again.
Consequences:
1st Offense: Verbal Warning
2nd Offense: 15 Minute Detention
3rd Offense: 30 Minute Detention
4th Offense: Referral to Office
Depending on the severity of the action, I hold to right to skip the first two or
three steps. These actions include, but are not limited to, the use of profanity,
refusal to obey staff, disrespect, and other forms of misconduct.
Reinforcements:
The student will receive positive comments for good behavior and good
performance. I will also send home letters or emails, or make a phone call to let
parents know how well their student is behaving or performing in class. The
students will all be given a grade for homework; the grade will not be given
based on accuracy, but rather if the students attempted all of the problems.
Students will also be encouraged to try the problems. For example, if a student
is asked to explain something, tries, but is incorrect, I will tell that student they
are not quite there and express how great it is that they tried. I will explain the
importance of making mistakes in order to learn, and let the students know
there are not dumb answers or questions.

Non-Instructional Routines and Procedures

Attendance will be taken at the beginning of class as the students are completing
their warm-up problems.
Students who arrive after the tardy bell will sign the tardy sheet. If the student
has a pass, they will place it in a box next to the tardy sheet. Students with a
pass will have an excused tardy; students without a pass will attend 15 minutes
of detention for each tardy on Friday.
Each class will have an assigned color. I will have two labeled and colored
drawer sets: one for homework, one for makeup work. The students should
place their homework in the appropriate drawer to be checked during the warmup. Students who were absent will have a pre-prepared packet in the
appropriate drawer, which they will be expected to pick up.
I will have a set of folders in my file cabinet containing work for the substitute.
Each class will have a folder of the assigned color that is labeled with the class
name and time.
Students will be allowed five bathroom passes per nine weeks, unless there is an
emergency. The students should raise their hand with a thumbs-up to signal to
me that they need to use a restroom pass. They should not get out of their seat
until I nod at them; if I need them to hear what is going on at the moment, I will
ask them to wait a few minutes.
Pencils should be sharpened before instruction begins. I will have a container
will pre-sharpened pencils that the students may borrow if theirs break during
class. They will need to quietly get up and grab one, then immediately return to
their seat.
If a student needs tissue, they should raise their hand in a fist position and
quietly get up to get one. This allows me to know exactly what they need
without interrupting instruction.
The students will all be given a note card with their name on it at the beginning
of the year. This card will be placed in the calculator slot when they are
borrowing it.
During emergency drills, I will follow the procedures set in place by the school.
Students will be expected to walk together in an orderly fashion.
Class is dismissed by me, not the bell.