Running Head: CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN 1

Classroom Management Plan

Allison Curran

EDUC 5903E Classroom Management

Anne Hewson

November 3rd, 2017

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Introduction

Students spend the majority of the year, around ten months to be exact, in a

classroom and/or completing homework, hence why it is important to have a safe and

welcoming classroom for the students. As a teacher it is important to me to be able to

provide my students with a positive learning environment and experience. In doing so,

there are a number of preventative measures I would take to make sure that my classroom

runs as smoothly as possible, in all regards. More specifically, I would like to have a

prevention plan for disruptions and distractions, in hopes to keep them to at minimum. I

believe, that classroom rules and routines, dealing with conflict, discipline, inclusion,

problem solving, and rewards and punishments, are all measures that can be taken to

assist in addressing disruptions and distractions in the classroom.

Classroom Rules and Routines

In regards to good classroom management, I believe that it is critical that classroom

rules and routines are prominent in the classroom. Classroom rules and routines are

things that are critical to have in a classroom, especially in elementary grades. In my

classroom I would like to develop a set of rules for the students in the class at the

beginning of the academic year. I believe also that the students should have a say in

determining the class rules, in regards to particular rules, as they are the ones in which the

rules apply to. Routines prevent chaos in the classroom, as the students know the

expectations that they are anticipated to follow. Requiring the students to take a part in

routines and completing the same thing continuously will allow the students to get used

to intense routines and dealing with the expectations, which they will experience more of

during their later years. Routines also eliminate confusion and stress by/on the students
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by not knowing how to react during different situations. Routines are important to have

during the morning and times of transition such as moving from classroom to classroom.

In my future classroom, all mornings will start the same. My plan as of now for a typical

morning in my classroom would starts by welcoming and greeting the students coming

into my classroom, and possibly, if time, ask how their morning has been thus far. By

asking them how their morning has been I will be able to make a possible prediction as to

how the remainder of their day may go. After the students get settled in the class, we will

start the morning routine, consisting of: asking them if they would like to share anything

with the class about their night/weekend and starting daily activities, including figuring

out the date, the month, and the weather, etc. By allowing the students to share with the

class their exciting events, I am hoping that that will decrease the chance of the students

discussing it later on in the day and during class that may cause a distraction. Transitions

times in classroom allow for opportunities of chaos if the expectations of the students are

unknown. Therefore, if the students know what they are expected to do during these

times, as well as the consequences if the do not, than that will eliminate the majority of

the unnecessary chaos.

Dealing with Conflict and Discipline

Dealing with conflict and disciplining appropriately and consistently, is

something that I believe is also needed in a classroom management plan, especially in

regards to dealing with disruptions and distractions in a classroom. I think it is important

that students know that if they act inappropriately then there will be consequences for

their actions. At the beginning of the school year I will explain to the students my
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expectations for their behaviour and as a class we will discuss and make concrete the

consequences for inappropriate behaviour, including disrupting the class and causing

disturbances. If I allow the students to have a part in the consequences than it will make

them feel important as they were apart of the decision making process. Also, we would

have decided and explained the rules as a class, therefore they would be familiar with

them and know what they can and cannot do. When it comes to discipline, I believe that

the most effective and fair way to manage a classroom is to use a value and disciple

system that does not harm a student’s dignity, such as Curwin’s. Especially during the

elementary school age, the development of the students is very malleable, therefore using

disciplinary actions that are damaging, may have long and lasting effects on the student.

In regards to discipline I vow to be fair in terms of discipline to all my students, as I

understand that some students may not respond well to some consequences and some

students have bad days. I also vow to take time, with the student, to reflect on their

behaviour, and discuss what else they could have done, as well as what they would do

better next time.

Inclusion

In regard to inclusion, I believe that it is important to make every student feel

accepted, regardless of his or her exceptionalities. I understand that sometimes students

may act out and cause disruptions if they feel like they are not able to get their point

across and/or are feeling unheard. Growing up, if I was unable to grasp a concept I would

immediately shut down, so I understand that feeling. However, I had a teacher that helped

me with this and took the time to really understand what I was going through. The

teacher took the time to help me figure out other way to deal with what I was struggling
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with, and that is the teacher that I want to be for my students. Therefore I will take the

time to connect with each student at checkpoints through the year to discuss their

strengths, weaknesses, struggles, and goals, so I will be able to understand and assist

them.

Problem Solving

Being able to help and solve problems, in a classroom and with students is going

to be something that has to be completed on a daily basis, especially in the elementary

level. Therefore it is important to know beforehand what you as a teacher are going to do

in regards to problem solving. In my classroom I would like to incorporate the students

into solving problems, especially if it is regarding them. In Kohn’s writings we learn all

about effective problem solving, and I would like to use a couple of his strategies into a

classroom of my own. The first one that I would like to use is “maximize student

involvement”. It is truly important that you ask the student who is in trouble/being

punished, how the problem can be solved. It is not only the appropriate thing to do but by

including and discussing with the student it is more likely to create a lasting solution to

the problem and the student, rather than the teacher just deciding the punishment. Talking

less, and asking more questions is a great strategy to use as it puts the students in control,

as well as them gives them responsibility for finding a solution, which many students will

appreciate. The second strategy that I would like to incorporate into a classroom of my

own is the “relationship” strategy. In all regards, whether that is for problem solving or in

general, it is important for the students to trust their teachers. When students trust their

teachers they know that they are there for them and really want to assist the student
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towards better things. If a student does not have a relationship with the teacher, than

when it comes time to discuss solutions, the student may not feel comfortable speaking

their mind. After a discussion has taken place, and hopefully a solution has been brought

forth, if the student has a good relationship with the teacher, the student will leave the

discussion feeling still cared about.

Rewards and Punishments

During my observation week I observed a rewards and punishment strategy that

my teacher used, that seemed very effective with the students. It was a classroom money

system. Students received money for completing positive/good behaviours in the

classroom, such as: completing their homework on time, answering questions correctly,

helping others, etc. Students got money taken away for taking part in negative/bad

behaviours, such as: not listening in class, disruptive the classroom environment, being

mean to others, etc. At the end of each week the students were given the opportunity to

take their money and purchase items from the class store. These items included: pencils,

erasers, candy, and coupons that could be redeemed such as helping a teacher for a class,

etc. The classroom money system works so well in the classroom, as the students want

the money to be able to obtain goods at the end of the week. This system is one that I

could see myself incorporating into my elementary grade classroom, as it is an effective

strategy and one that the students love!

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Conclusion

Having a classroom management plan created for when I go into my first

classroom is essential, as it is a great tool to reflect upon. I know going into any

classroom that the classroom behaviour will not be perfect everyday, by every student,

and that is okay. I understand also that some days there will be more disruptions and

distracted students than others, and that is okay as well. However, the concepts of my

classroom management plan, including: classroom rules and routines, dealing with

conflict and discipline, inclusion, problem solving, and rewards and punishments will

help when it comes to having to deal with those behaviours.

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References

Curwin, R. L., Mendler, A. N., & Mendler, B. D. (2008). Discipline with dignity: New

challenges, new solutions. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and

Curriculum Development.

Kohn, A. (2006). Beyond discipline: From compliance to community. Alexandria, Va:

Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.