Running head: CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN 1

Classroom Management Plan

Mariel Lecuyer

December 2, 2018
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN 2

Classroom Management Plan

What is the purpose of education? This question has been asked, answered, and debated

for many years, but is there any one universal definition? According to Willona M. Sloan, the

objective of education is to aid “children in developing the skills, the knowledge, and the

dispositions that will allow them to be responsible, contributing members of their community…

Meaning, to be a good friend, to be a good mate, to be able to work, and to contribute to the

well-being of the community" (Sloan, 2012).

Good teaching is as much about knowledge as it is about passion. It is about teaching the

student how to learn in ways that are relevant and memorable- without these components,

material that is presented to a student becomes meaningless. A good teacher is a visionary and is

passionate about their profession. They are able to convey this enthusiasm to their students in a

humorous, infectious manner so that their students are continuously intrigued, excited, and eager

to learn.

In order for students to successfully absorb information that is presented to them, the

class environment in which they are learning must be lead by a teacher who possesses an

effective philosophy ​and ​high level of classroom management. Implementation and preservation

of classroom management can be challenging. For the teacher, managing the classroom is

comprised of much more than simply educating and disciplining students. If a classroom is to be

successful, several factors have to be taken into account, including the “views of child

development, educational philosophies, and… the degree of control that (is) exerted on the

students and the classroom” (Burden, 2010). I believe that in order to promote a successful

classroom environment, teachers must develop their own philosophies of classroom

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN 3

management by combining the theories/models of other teachers and instructors with their own

teaching and life experiences.

I believe teachers should aspire to help students learn while also teaching students how to

behave responsibly. There are classroom guidelines to be followed and consequences for not

adhering to them. Appropriate and inappropriate classroom behavior should be discussed and

agreed upon by both the students and the teacher so that complete respect and understanding is

achieved. Positive reinforcement, achieved through personal interactions and relationships with

students, in combination with meaningful feedback from the teacher can foster an environment in

which students can feel safe, comfortable, and empowered so a true passion for learning may be

developed. Students should always feel as if they are important and ​belong in the classroom and

that their opinions are heard and valued. Developing a collaborative code of conduct with ​my

students and establishing regular communication with parents/guardians will create a strong base

for effective classroom management.

Policies and Procedures

It is important to establish classroom policies at the beginning of each school year. On

the first day of school, I plan to discuss the school’s adopted behavior plan with my students.

These rules are maintained school- and district-wide and both procedures/expectations and their

corresponding consequences are discussed in great detail. These expectations include:

For the teacher:

● Provide visible behavior expectations in the classroom:

○ Posters with ​school​ expectations displayed throughout the room

○ Classroom​ expectations displayed throughout the room

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN 4

● Implement proactive classroom management strategies:

○ Seating/furniture arrangement that promotes learning

○ Prompts/cues to re-focus the class (i.e. wireless doorbell or call-backs)

○ Pre-corrections for inappropriate behavior (especially before a lab)

○ Timely transitions between lessons/activities

○ 5-to-1 positive-to-negative feedback

○ Immediate acknowledgment of mis-behavior

For the students:

● Uphold grade-level classroom routine agreements:

○ At the beginning of class, students will:

■ Enter the classroom ​quietly

■ Take the most ​direct route ​to their seats

■ Get out ​necessary supplies

■ Put ​backpacks away ​in their designated areas (under the desk, in a

cubby, or hanging on the side of their desk)

■ Begin the ​warm-up​​ and finish with quality

○ At the end of class, students will ensure that:

■ All supplies ​are put away

■ Work areas are ​clean

■ Floor areas​​ are clean and free of trash, activity materials, etc.

■ Chairs are ​pushed in​​ and they are ​quietly​​ ​standing​​ behind them

■ They have been ​dismissed​​ from class by their teacher

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN 5

● Uphold school-wide behavior agreements and policies, including:

○ Tardy policy

○ Appearance and dress code policy

○ Adherence to classroom guidelines/agreements

○ Bullying policy

○ Vulgarity policy

○ Personal technology devices agreement

○ Misuse of provided materials (i.e. Chromebooks) agreement

○ Sexual harassment policy

○ Gum and/or sunflower seeds policy

○ Overly aggressive behavior policy

○ Throwing of objects (i.e. snowballs, ice, food, etc.) policy

○ Amorous behavior policy

○ Selling or gambling policy

The goal of these procedures/protocols is that students learn that they are responsible for their

attitudes and actions, and daily enforcement of these rules and their corresponding consequences

promote students’ self-regulation. If expectations are met, teachers and students can successfully

create a learning environment in which everyone feels welcome, respected, and important.

For NEW students:

● Students will be provided with a hard copy of schoolwide and classroom

expectations/policies, as well as online access to view the documents.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN 6

● Parents/guardians will be contacted directly with information regarding the

policies and procedures and both student and parent/guardian will be required to

sign a document stating that they understand the policies and the consequences of

misbehavior.

● If the student and/or parent/guardian has any questions or concerns, they are

encouraged to contact the teacher or administration.

Consequences for Misbehavior

Misbehaviors should be acknowledged immediately, however should be done in a

discreet manner when possible and/or appropriate. A student will be provided with up to three

verbal warnings if failing to adhere to policies and procedures for minor offences, which include:

repeated tardiness, classroom misbehavior, gum/sunflower seed consumption, inappropriate use

of technology, throwing of objects, etc. If the student is asked a fourth time to refrain from

his/her misbehavior, the student will be asked to leave the classroom and complete a ‘refocus

form’ in one of the teacher’s partnering classrooms. The refocus form allows students to reflect

on their actions and communicate, on paper, things that need to occur in order for their behavior

to change. Once completed, the student obtains the signature of the partnering teacher and

returns to class. Once class has ended, the form is discussed and solutions and/or further actions

are determined.

If a more severe infraction is committed, the student will be asked to leave the classroom

and go directly to the office (a phone call is made to inform the office of the student’s arrival). A

short meeting will take place with the student and administration, and parents/guardians will be

contacted.
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN 7

In order for the aforementioned guidelines and procedures to be implemented

effectively, all behavior expectations and their respective consequences must also be

communicated to students’ parents/guardians. I intend to do this using a variety of

strategies, including: distribution of take-home flyers, parent-teacher conferences, phone

calls (with translator if needed), emails, and ensuring that I will always address any

questions or concerns that may arise throughout the school year.

Motivational Techniques

Acknowledgement of positive student behavior will be given as frequently as

possible. This could be exemplified in a variety of ways and at varying times throughout a

lesson. For example, if the class is a bit rowdy and lack the ability to quiet down, I will

stand at the front of the class and thank each individual student/group who is displaying

respectful, responsible student behavior. Students respond positively to the recognition

and students who are not displaying appropriate behavior typically recognize what they

are doing and re-focus on whichever classroom activity they are participating in. Another

example stems from Alder Creek Middle School, where I am completing my student

teaching. Here, students receive ‘Cougar Pride Cards’ when they demonstrate successful

student behavior. This behavior can be observed in the classroom when students are ready

and prepared for class, are being respectful of their peers and teacher, and are engaging in

responsible actions (such as punctuality, completion of work, and ownership of actions).

The incentives behind the cards have a very positive effect on student behavior.

Once received/collected, students may use their cards for a variety of activities, such as:
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN 8

● On Fridays, students may turn in 1 pride card to their teacher at the end of

the day and leave class 5 minutes early.

● Students may gain free entry to an upcoming dance if 5 pride cards are

presented at the door.

The cards promote student’s desire to engage in positive student behavior, and if students

observe one of their peers receiving a card, it becomes a healthy, positive competition to

determine who can obtain the most (a.k.a. who can be on ​the​ best behavior).

Reflection

​ f my
As a teacher, developing a safe and supportive learning environment for ​all o

students is a crucial step in promoting their academic success. This encompasses a variety

of ideas and strategies, but I believe it begins with a physical classroom environment that

feels safe and inviting to the student. Classroom arrangement, including wall decor,

location of materials, and seating arrangement must promote fluidity of movement in the

room so that student engagement and understanding can be promoted. I will regularly

promote an“open door” policy and ensure that students understand that they can come to

me if they have any questions- about anything at all, because developing relationships with

my students is one of my top priorities. I plan to reinforce my classroom management plan

throughout the year by frequently revisiting both classroom/school policies and

procedures,, acknowledging and rewarding positive student behavior, and remaining

consistent with the administration of consequences when students are not displaying

respectful, responsible behavior.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN 9

References

Burden, P. (2006). ​Classroom Management: Creating a Successful K-12 Learning

Community​, ​3​. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley.

Sloan, W. (2012). What is the Purpose of Education? Retrieved November 20, 2018, from

http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/educationupdate/jul12/vol54/num07/What-

Is-the-Purpose-of-Education%C2%A2.aspx