Classroom Management 1

Classroom Management
Rebecca Reddin
Fort Hays State University


Classroom Management 2

Classroom Management
There are many techniques for teachers to choose from in order to construct a classroom
management plan. There are options, ideas, and methods suited to the teaching style of every
teacher. An effective classroom management plan is necessary for every classroom in order to
ensure the effectiveness of the teacher and the success of the students. Teacher success, in
relation to both student learning and teacher efficacy, can often be traced to the ability of the
teacher to manage the classroom (Maher and Kellaher, 2012).
Rules are an essential element of the classroom setting. Classroom rules are necessary in
order to keep a safe classroom environment. Rules are important because they help the teacher
maintain control of the classroom and they can help create a favorable learning environment.
Respectable classroom rules allow the teacher and students to work in a more relaxed
environment. When the rules are created and followed properly, the stress level of the classroom
is reduced.
Students can either be included or excluded in the creation of the classroom rules. I plan
on my classroom being one where teacher and student work cooperatively, so it would make
sense to allow the students to have a voice in the establishment of the classroom rules. These
are some of the possible rules I have in mind for my future 2
nd
grade classroom.
1. Students will complete all assignments neatly and on time.
2. Students will be respectful of self and fellow classmates.
3. Students will raise their hand and wait to be called upon before speaking during a
classroom lesson.
4. Students will stay on task.
5. Students will obey all school rules.
In my future classroom, I believe I will have 10 rules to review with the students on the first day
of class. We will vote on which 5 rules seem to be the most important. The top 5 rules will then
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be posted in the room in plain view of the students. By involving the children in the
development of the classroom rule list, this will also introduce them to the rules. They will be
familiar with the rules on the first day of school because they will have had a part in forming the
classroom rules.
The Five Count is a strategy which can be used for behavior management of the
classroom. With the five count, hold your hand in the air with all five fingers pointing outward.
When the students hold their hands in the air, it means that the student has fulfilled the following
five actions: Mouth is closed, eyes on the teacher, hands in lap, ears are listening, and the child is
still (eHow 1999). A behavior management strategy that can be used for each Individual student
would involve having a grid chart at their desk. They will be able to earn stickers for certain
activities. I will let them know when the activity has a possibility of earning a sticker at the end
of the activity. When their chart is full of stickers, say 25 to 30, they will then win a prize.
Whole school behavior management plans can be implemented by making the students aware the
school is a bully free zone. Signs can be posted around the school as reminder to the students of
the school policy.
Positive consequences and negative consequences are the respected outcomes from either
obeying or disobeying the classroom rules. A color clip chart can be used to indicate the
classroom rules are being followed. Pink, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red are possible
colors to use. Green is where the students start their day. If a student breaks a rule they will
move down the color chart. If a child is following directions they may move their clip up on the
color chart. If they reach pink then they earn classroom money which can be used to make a
purchase from the treasure chest on the appropriate day. If a student reaches red then their
parents will get a call from the teacher to discuss their behavior. Another positive consequence
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would be the class earning popcorn and a movie for an afternoon as a result of everyone turning
in their homework on time for a set amount of time, or all doing well on a test. Extra computer
time or a positive phone call home to parents are also two other forms of positive consequences.
As referenced above, a phone call home to the students parents regarding inappropriate
behavior is a form of a negative consequence. If a student breaks a rule putting their name on the
board, as a warning, is another form of a negative consequence. If the student breaks the same
rule or another, while their name is already on the board, their inappropriate behavior will then
lead to minutes off of their recess. A visit to the principals office to discuss behavior is also a
negative consequence.
The principal and other school administration and personnel need to be informed and
aware of all classroom management plans. They may have additional input that may be
important to the teacher and students. In order to communicate my classroom management plan
I would create a detailed document. I would provide this document to the principal and
necessary administrative personnel. I would have to make sure that I am aware of the school
building procedure, i.e. the process for sending a student to the office. If they were to be
escorted I would then have to rely on the assistance of other school personnel. I would provide
an outline of my classroom management plan to my parents and encourage them to approach me
with any questions or concerns they may have. All parents will be provided with my school
email address and direct phone number.
There is an unquestionable difference between discipline and procedures. Discipline is
related to the behavior of the student. Discipline is associated with rewards and punishments, or
penalties. Procedures specify how things are to be accomplished. A student is generally not
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penalized for failing to follow a procedure or rewarded if a procedure is followed (Wong &
Wong, 2009). Procedures are important in classroom management because the students are
aware of what is expected of them and how they are do perform the task at hand. Procedures
help keep the classroom under control and the students are confused about what is expected of
them in the classroom.
Procedures for beginning the day in my 2
nd
grade classroom will include the student
hanging up their backpack and coat in their locker. They will bring their binder in the classroom
with them. As they enter the room they will move their name clip to the In side of the board.
The In/Out board will indicate to me which students are absent or tardy. They will then
indicate their lunch preference on the lunch list. The students will hand in any assignments due
in the designated basket. The students will be prepared, pencil box out and sitting in their desk,
when the tardy bell rings. After the morning announcements, we will begin our day with the
Pledge of Allegiance. They will have morning work waiting for them on their desk. They may
begin working on this until the announcements begin and for 10 minutes after the
announcements and Pledge of Allegiance. The Five Count can then be used to bring the class
to attention and begin the first lesson of the day. The last 10 minutes of the day will be spent
getting ready for dismissal. The students will retrieve their backpacks and coats from their
locker or cubby. They will pack their binders with their homework and any notes that are to go
home. The students will know to clear their desks and have their chairs pushed in neatly. The
students will group into the appropriate category of walker, car rider or bus rider. I will then
dismiss them according to school policy. The students will take turns each week being the
classroom helper. The classroom helper will assist with putting out the attendance list, the lunch
list and with the passing out of assignments. I will return graded student work every Friday for
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them to take home. Students will be given ample time to turn in missed assignments due to
being absent. They will be allowed to take the work home or, if requested, they will be
permitted time at school to complete.
The classroom procedures will be introduced on the first day of school. We will rehearse
these procedures before and during the appropriate times. After rehearsing the procedures for
the first two weeks the students will then be responsible for showing they know how to follow
and implement the classroom procedures. I will assist those students that need additional help
with cues to facilitate their comprehension of the procedure at hand. In order to involve the
students, I will also ask them for assistance when it is appropriate.
I am dedicated to making my classroom a comfortable and safe learning environment
where the students will want to be every day. I want my future students to feel excited and
challenged through the curriculum I implement. I want to help increase the childrens desire to
learn. My students will be involved in classroom decision making. When students are involved
with the teachers in decision making that indicates to the student that the teacher values his/her
thoughts and it helps build respect for one another. Students are more apt to feel responsible for
their individual actions if they are involved in the deciding the rules and consequences.
I want to develop close working and personal relationships with all of my students. It is
my hope and desire that my future students will be comfortable coming to me with any school
problems or other personal issues they may need assistance with. Meeting the needs of all my
students will be a vital part of my classroom. I also want the students to be comfortable with one
another. Through the use of the Johnsons Cooperative Community approach I think
establishing good relationships between the students is possible. I will encourage all students to
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participate in class. They may also learn from their fellow classmates when they share their
thoughts and ideas on the subject matter at hand. The use of cooperative learning strategies will
also help the children develop their social skills and help them learn how to handle their
emotions, as they will find not everyone will always agree with their point of view. Through
use of the Three C Model the children will learn values through direct teaching, modeling,
literature, group discussions, and the sharing of concerns (Johnsons, Three C Model).
I will be a proactive teacher. It will be my responsibility to avert problems in the
classroom and make sure the classroom runs smoothly. There will not be any yelling in my
classroom in order to bring the children to attention. Instead, methods like The Five Count
will be used to manage student behavior and bring them to attention. I will be responsible for
modeling the proper behavior when handling conflict. The students will be taught to resolve
conflict without aggression. I will be responsible for planning the curriculum that meets the
basic needs of the students and encourage them to always do their best. If I help the students
understand that producing quality work also helps them feel good about themselves, they in turn
will want to reproduce that feeling again and again. I will have high expectations for my
students. Students tend to learn as little or as much as their teachers expect (Wong & Wong,
2009).
The discipline plan I will use comes from Harry Wong; both the teacher and student are
involved with almost every aspect of the classroom. The students will have to sign a contract at
the beginning of the school year acknowledging they are aware of the classroom rules,
procedures and expectations. The most common form of a cooperative discipline plan is with a
contract or some kind of an agreement from the student (Wong & Wong, 2009). The parents
will be provided with a copy of the agreement.
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I will strive my hardest to become the effective teacher that everyone remembers
positively. I want my students to leave my class at the end of the year with more knowledge and
life skills than they started with. I want to be the teacher former students want to come back and
visit. I hope to make a difference in the life of my future students for many years to come. I will
be a positive role model for my students and teach them to the best of my ability. I will make
sure all of my students needs are met through quality teaching and curriculum.



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References
eHow. (1999-2012) Classroom management strategies for elementary school. Retrieved on
April 22, 2012 from http://www.ehow.com/list_6382296_classroom-management-
strategies-elementary-school.html.
Maher, Jeff and Kellaher, Antoinette. (2012) Prince Georges County Public Schools. Retrieved
on April 20, 2012 from http://www.pgcps.org/~elc/gameplan.htm.
Wong, Harry K. & Wong, Rosemary T. (2009) The first days of school: how to be an effective
teacher. Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.