Classroom Management Plan

Classroom Management Plan Ryan Woodson

MOTTO Do what you are supposed to do, when you are supposed to do it, to the best of your ability, every time. MISSION STATEMENT To facilitate learning and encourage students so that they maximize their learning experience, succeed in all classroom endeavors, and advance toward the ultimate goal of graduation by promoting an atmosphere of fairness, discipline, and respect for all. PHILOSOPHY ON MANAGEMENT The philosophy that I hold is that students should always come first. Their safety, respect, and confidence are of utmost importance and if I can give them those things, then they will be more excited about the learning experience, and achieve to their full potential. It is the responsibility of the teacher to create and maintain a safely monitored and controlled classroom and to express to the students what they should expect from the teacher. It is my belief that learning and classroom management are intertwined; therefore, engaging instruction will reduce disciplinary situations, and effective and consistent classroom management contributes to an effective learning environment. While strategies and rules are important, the underlying goals of all classroom procedures should be to create a safe environment, empower the students with respect, and challenge the students with appropriate curriculum and assignments. In order to do this the teacher and the students should share control of the classroom. The students should be given input into the classroom rules and other class decisions, but the teacher reserves the right to decide when the students are allowed to make decisions for the class. These rules should reflect rules social norms the students will face later in life, and the consequences should fit the cause. As a teacher, it is important to determine and utilize what motivates the student; being a caring and involved teacher, rewards for good work and positive behavior, and the products of their effort will motivate the students. It should be the goal of the teacher to teach the student to find motivation more intrinsically rather than extrinsically. Determining motivation is also important when dealing with misbehavior. If the teacher can determine what is motivating the student to misbehave, then the teacher can utilize that motivation in a positive way. It is important for the teacher to involve the parents to assist in the education process, so the teacher should consistently communicate with the parents about both the academic and behavior progress of the student.

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MANAGEMENT STYLE My management style fits with that of an authoritative teacher. I place limits and controls on the students, but I will also encourage them to be independent. I teach math, and in math one is expected to explain the reason behind any rules and decision that they make. In my classroom I will explain the reasons behind the rules and decisions. If a student is disruptive, I will give the student a firm reprimand, but in a manner that the student maintains his dignity. I will discipline the students, but only after talk with the student and consider all of the circumstances. I will also be open to much verbal interaction with my students. If I am lecturing and the students have a critical question, I will welcome the interruption. This environment offers my students the opportunity to learn and maximize the learning experience. I want my students to see me as warm and nurturing towards them, and that I am genuinely interested in their lives. I believe that positive thoughts and words in the forms of praise, encouragement, and rewards are of utmost importance. My management style would fall slightly to the left of center on Wong’s continuum of discipline plans, but I understand that I must be flexible and be willing to slide right and left on the continuum depending on the situation. I agree with Skinner that positive reinforcement is effective, but that students need boundaries. BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS Respect will be given to all individuals who enter the classroom; this includes but is not limited to students, teachers, substitutes, and administrators. The students will be in class on time at a desk towards the front of the classroom with all necessary materials, i.e., paper, writing utensil, calculator, homework and book. During instruction the students will devote their full attention to the teacher and the material he is presenting. No student will try to sleep during class. The student will actively participate in all class discussions and assignments. When given the opportunity to work in groups all students will give input towards the completion of the task. The student will utilize the time in class to fulfill their responsibility to produce quality work demonstrating the mastery of the concepts. This work will be done in such a way that the teacher can easily read the work done and solutions presented. The assignments will be presented in a timely manner on the date due. The student will not be responsible for bringing a textbook to class, as one will be provided. The student will help to maintain a clean classroom.

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PRE-SCHOOL CHECK-OFF Outside – post name and room number outside my door where it is clearly visible for all students. Substitute Folder- create a substitute folder that is easily accessible and contains my classroom rules and expectations, school handbook, school procedures, seating charts, attendance sheets, and extra assignments for the students. Hall Passes-I will create hall passes that clearly have my name and/or classroom number on them. These passes will be large and easily recognizable. Postings- I will hang up numerous posters around the classroom that pertain to subject matter we will cover during the school year. I will not post the classroom rules or disciplinary policy until after I have shared it with the students because I am going to allow them to have input into the rules and the discipline. I will also post both the school’s and my mission statement, as well as school procedures, the emergency evacuation plan, daily school schedule, school district calendar. Textbooks- I will obtain a classroom set of textbooks for each class that I teach. This set will not be allowed to leave the classroom without being checked out. Classroom Arrangement- I will arrange the classroom into rows at first with ample room to walk up and down the aisle. My desk will be across from the door. And the desks will face the whiteboard that is closest to my desk. Talk to previous teacher – when I get my class roster, I will e-mail the students’ previous years teacher and ask for information about the student. What his/her strengths and weaknesses are. And any other advice that the teacher may want to share. Seating Chart-I will sit the students in alphabetical order until I am comfortable with their names and have an understanding of the students learning style. I will also create overheads to display when students walk in. Learning Style Quiz- I will print off a learning style quiz for each student to take, so that as I go through the year I can make plans that will best reach each student, and also understand how I should explain information to the student when we work one on one. Personality Questionnaire- I will have a questionnaire ready for each student to take, with questions about family background, contact information, interests, and mathematical background. Absentee Folder- I will have an area of the class room where the students will be able to find all missing work. It will be a crate, with folders in it, and all printed materials that were distributed for a given day. Syllabus- I will prepare a syllabus for each class that I teach that spells out my expectations for behavior and academics. It will explain what topics we will cover in the class and in what order. It will define the grading scale and weight of each category of assessment. It will contain my contact information (e-mail and school phone) Resources- I will obtain other resources that might be useful for the curriculum. This can include but is not limited to old textbooks, veteran teacher lesson plans, worksheet books, or activity books. Calculators- I will obtain a classroom set of calculators from the schools resource center. I will number and label each calculator in a distinguishable way.

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CLASSROOM ARRANGEMENT

Red areas represent the bulletin boards Blue areas are where my posters will be hanging. Dark green areas are the cabinets and bookcases. Light green area is the projector Peach squares are the students’ desks Purple area is the work space Brown area is my desk Black area is my secure filing cabinet And the white areas are the whiteboards. There will be a projector screen on the whiteboard between my desk and the door.

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MOTIVATIONAL STRATEGIES 1) Positive Reinforcement- The teacher will encourage and exclaim either written or orally exceptional work. 2) Corrections- Students will receive extra points for politely offering corrections of the teacher’s statements, steps, or answers to a problem. 3) RESPECT- I will treat my students as young adults. I will address them by their name or sir/ma’am, I will give them opportunities to succeed and answer questions successfully during class time, and I will take an interest in their lives outside of the classroom by going to their extra-curricular activities in order to build confidence in me and more importantly his/her self 4) Earned Credit System – Each day the class will receive checkmarks if a student misbehaves. If the class as a whole has less than 5 checks in a day, then the students have had a “successful day”. If the students have 8 out of 9 successful days, they will receive a day of P.A.T. which could include watching Numbers, trip to computer lab to play math based computer games, sudoku challenge, etc. CLASS RULES My class rules will change slightly as I feel that the students will be more willing and eager to follow them if they have input into the rules, but I will lead them as to what areas need to be addressed. My minimum rules are. 1)

The students will be in their assigned seats with all necessary materials ready within a timely manner.

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The student will treat all others with respect and dignity.

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No sleeping in class.

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No talking amongst each other while projector is on. Raise your hand for any critical questions.

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Properly dispose of trash. This means walking over to the proper waste container and dropping it in.

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No profanity. If you think it might be inappropriate, IT IS.

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Return all borrowed materials at the end of class. Leave the classroom in the same condition as it was when you came in.

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CONSEQUENCES For minor misbehaviors (disruptions, off task, language, etc.) 1st Step - Verbal warning 2nd Step - Short conference with Mr. Woodson during activity time. We will discuss a plan to alleviate the problem. This may include communication with the student’s parents, detention, writing prompt, new seat, etc. 3rd Step- Detention, and call parents to set up a conference. Student must write up an action plan. Mr. Woodson has a template for this. 4th Step- Discipline referral and sent to the office For major misbehaviors (sexual harassment, fighting, bullying, etc.), the student will be sent straight to the office with a discipline referral. PROCEDURES 1)

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Calculators – students give item(cell phone, ipod, keys, etc.) to check out calc-for return Pencil Sharpener – sharpen pencils before class. If pencil breaks, there will be a cup that contains sharpened pencils. The students may get up and trade one out Stapling assignments- the staple should go in the upper-left hand corner of the paper Entering Class – enter class before the tardy bell, and go to assigned seat and get out all necessary materials. If the student is late, give Mr. Woodson the excuse slip if there is one, and go to assigned seat silently and get out materials. Bathroom – The student may go during homework/activity time. Come up to Mr. Woodson’s desk and ask him if you may go. The student will trade his/her cell phone for the pass if Mr. Woodson asks for it. Cell Phones – Are not to be seen or heard. If Mr. Woodson witnesses a cell phone being used, he will confiscate the cell phone. Absences – If you miss a day due to illness, it is your responsibility to find out what you missed, and make it up. If you do not understand the concept then it is your responsibility to set up a time with Mr. Woodson or another teacher to go over it either before or after school Make up work –It is the student’s responsibility to find any assignment that he/she missed while absent. This work is due within a week of the student’s absence. The student can find any handouts in the make-up work folder and bin. If a student is absent for more than a week, he will need to talk to me to make arrangements. If a student misses a test, he/she should be prepared to take the test when he/she returns. If a student misses multiple days before the test, he/she is responsible for meeting with Mr. Woodson and together they will decide when the student will make up the test. 7

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Supplies – students should bring paper, pencil, ruler, calculator, textbook, and homework to class every day. Late Work – Late work will be turned in to a separate tray. You will lose and additional 10% of total possible points everyday that the assignment is late, i.e. 1 day- 90%, 2 days81%,3 days-73%, 4 days-66%, etc. Class dismissal – Mr. Woodson will verbally dismiss the class after the bell rings when the class room and all borrowed materials are returned. Questions – During teaching time a student may ask any critical question by raising his/her hand and waiting for Mr. Woodson to call on them. Any further questions may be written down and placed on the side whiteboard along with the student’s name. Turning in assignments – Turn in all assignments at the start of class on the date due into the tray marked for your class period. Tutoring – will be offered on an as needed basis before or after school. The student will need to set up an appointment with Mr. Woodson. Headings – All assignments/tests/quizzes/etc will need to have the Student’s name, class period, page number, problems assigned, and date written in the upper right hand corner of the assignment or in the appropriate box Tardiness – If the student is not in his/her seat in a reasonable time after the bell rings with all materials out then the student will be counted tardy. The tardy policy is defined in the student handbook. Intercom – all students will be silent if there is an intercom announcement. Finishing early – if the student finishes early then he/she should help other students with their assignment, read quietly, or work on work for another class. If the student does not find something to do, the Mr. Woodson will help him/her find something to do. My Desk – no student will be allowed behind my desk without permission. During work time any student may approach my desk, and wait for Mr. Woodson to address him/her. Group Discussion – The student will raise his/her hand and wait for Mr. Woodson to call on him/her. The students will recognize that all opinions and thoughts are to be respected and will make no negative comments towards the individual who made the comment. The students may disagree, but should do so in a way that is respectful, and allows the individual to maintain his/her dignity. Substitute Teacher – the students will treat the substitute with the utmost respect. And will follow any directions the Substitute may give. If a student does have a question that the Substitute cannot answer to the student’s satisfaction, he/she may write the question on a sticky note along with his/her name and place it on the white board on the side of the class. Taking attendance – Mr. Woodson will take attendance at the start of class. For the first few weeks, he may do this verbally. After that Mr. Woodson will take attendance while the students work on the bell work. Electronic Devices – will be allowed during work time unless restricted by the school policy 8

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How to get teachers attention – The student will raise his/her hand or he/she may come up to Mr. Woodson’s desk and wait for Mr. Woodson to acknowledge him/her. Lecture procedures – There will be no side conversations amongst students. All students will have out appropriate handout or paper and participate in class. All students will attempt any problem given and be ready to explain what he/she did. If a student has a critical question then he/she should raise his/her hand and Mr. Woodson will call upon and answer that question. Class work time – the students will be allowed to work in groups of 2 or 3 unless otherwise instructed. This time should be used to fulfill the responsibility to produce quality work and demonstrate mastery of the concept. Assignments – All work should be shown and written in such a way that Mr. Woodson can easily read the work done and the solutions presented. Visitors – If a visitor enters the classroom the student will continue to work on what he/she is doing. Mr. Woodson will address the visitor, and will take any action necessary. Testing – there will be no talking during test taking. All students should do their best, and show all work done. Re-testing – if a student is displeased with his/her score on any test, then he/she can retake the test provided that he/she has turned in all assignments for that unit and comes in for tutoring either before or after school. The re-test must be done within a week of the original test being handed back.

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