Daniel Scheetz

Classroom Management

Classroom Management Plan

Daniel Scheetz
Philosophy on Classroom Management and Discipline
I come from a family of educators. My mother, grandfather, aunt, and cousins are
teachers and I have always thought of it as a profession that I wanted to do. I began
teaching teaching piano lessons when I was fifteen and still do. I have also taught swim
lessons for four years. After participating in observations, practicums, and education
courses, I have found that I have a style of teaching that is somewhat soft. I want the
students to respect me and be active in their education but I have trouble with discipline
and managing a class. I believe that everyone should have the opportunity to learn. I
decided to take this class so that I could learn to be an effective teacher and to gain
experience in the aspects of teaching that I lacked.
As a teacher I want to be an interactive with students. The relationship between
student cannot be sustained and developed if the teacher or students have too much
control over how the classroom is run. For students to respect the teacher, the teacher
must also respect the student. This can be done and shown in many ways. The teacher
could include the student in the creation of class rules, the teacher can include the
students in the procedures of the class, the teacher can listen to students, just as
teacher wants the students listen to him. A well planned classroom management plan
can help develop this interactive teaching philosophy. Every student should have the
opportunity to learn but not every student knows how to act and behave in a classroom.
The purpose for the classroom management plan is to make it easier for students to
learn.

The Classroom Arrangement

For my classroom I choose to arrange a high school band room. My ideal
classroom would be focused around the large rehearsal space. the podium would be my
main place to teach for most of the school day. the rehearsal arcs will be arranged
around the podium, allowing me to see and monitor all the students at all times. Rooms
necessary to keep the band program flowing will be situated around the main band
area. My office would be next to the band room and would have a window over my desk
so that I can see students in other parts of the band room while working with students in
my office. Music and supplies will be kept in the band library. For small group work and
individual practice, there will be small practice rooms with windows for students use. In
the back of the room will be the locker room, which will store all instruments in locked
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cages. The back of the band room will be used as the Jazz band practice area.
There are many needs for the band room throughout the day, and it is necessary
to have all supplies and materials readily available. In the morning before school, the
band room is used for jazz band practice, and individual practice. During the day the
band room is used for concert band, individual lessons, and small class work. After
school the room is used for individual lessons, and small ensemble work. On every
available wall I will use it for whiteboards, dart boards, posters, and Information.

Rules
In my classroom there will be rules and expectations. The rules will be supplied
by me and will be the basis of the expectations. The expectations will be created by the
students and will represent what the students interpret the rules. I would make the rules
more laid out in the band handbook for parents and staff. The expectations would be
used to help the students feel involved with the rules and the well being of the band.
The first day of band camp I would have the band split up into sections and have them
come up with three things that the rules mean. Before the school year began I would
have available the band handbook for administrators to review my rules. The rules in my
classroom will include the following and could be interpreted by the students as the
following.
1. Be Ready to Learn.
a. Students have all materials needed for class
i. instrument, music, folders, writing utensils, shoes etc.
b. Students are in the seats, on the field, etc.
c. Students practiced, and did their homework
d. Show up on time to rehearsals, and performances
e. Do not verbally or nonverbally disrupt class, practice, or rehearsal
2. Respect Others
a. Be respectful to other students, teachers, chaperones, and staff
b. Respect peoples property
c. No bullying, or disruptive behavior
d. Listen when people are talking
e. Use respectful language
f. Follow the school general rules

Responses to Misbehavior
Students who fail to follow these class rules and expectations will expect
consequences and discipline. Depending on the severity of the deed some of the
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following consequences will be appropriate

Mild Misbehavior: Violating Classroom Rules, Refusal to Participate, unexcused
tardiness, failure to be prepared, cheating and plagiarism
Responses:
verbal correction
teacher student conference
parent contact
student counselor conference
Detention
Moderate Misbehavior: Leaving with Permission, Possession of Tobacco Products,
Inappropriate Displays of Affection, Minor Physical Contact, Repeat Mild Misbehavior
Responses:
Parent Contact
Administer/Parent/Student Conference
Exclusion from Extracurricular Activities
Behavior Contracts
Suspension Under Three Days
Severe Misbehavior: Fighting, Assault, Gambling, Theft, Truancy, Possession of
Weapons, Harassment, Hazing, Vandalism, Burglary, Possession of Alcohol, Under the
Influence, Terrorist Threats, Repeat Mild and Moderate Misbehavior
Response:
Administrator/Parent/Student Conference
In-School Suspension
Restoration of Property
Expulsion

Procedures
Because of the large class size that comes with teaching an ensemble or multiple
ensembles a band director needs to have effective procedures in place so that
rehearsals can flow easily. I would go over main procedures at the beginning of the
semester and occasionally during the semester to review when necessary. Here are the
procedures that I would implement in my classroom.
Attendance: the attendance will be taken each period by assigned students that
have shown leadership, respect in the classroom. The student will take a paper copy
and leave it in a mailbox next to my office, for me to turn in after class.

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Excused Absent Students from The Previous Day: When a student is absent
from the previous day they may turn in their work with the other work due that day.
Students will write at the top of their paper excused absent at the top of their paper. I
will check with my attendance to make sure that they were absent and grade it as if it
was due that day.
Tardy Students: Students who are late to class which includes not in their seat,
with their instrument will be recorded by the assigned attendance taker. If the student is
late they will turn in their tardy slip on my stand and quietly get ready to play.
Homework Collecting/Returning: In my band students will have assigned practice
and homework every night. To collect the paper homework on turn in days I will use a
portable filing cabinet. Each sections leader will collect the days homework and will
place it in their filing cabinet. At the same time the section leaders will grab work from
the return folder for their section and hand it out to the rest of the section. This should
take less than three minutes. Homework is due the minute I call for it to be collected.
After that three minutes the filing bin will be put away. Any homework not in that bin will
be considered late and will be docked 10% or one letter grade.
Distributing Materials: New music, worksheets, assignments, or forms will be
placed in the respective sections folder in a mobile filing cabinet. Section leader will be
informed at the beginning of class to check their folder for any and all paper to hand out
to their section.
Leaving the Room: During forty-five minute class periods students should not
leave the room for bathroom use or water. These should be taken care of during
passing period. If class periods are ninety minutes, a five minute break will be taken in
the middle of the class period, so that students can have the chance to take care of
these needs. If a student has to leave early from school, take medication, or go to the
office, students will put their instrument down and quietly leave the rehearsal.

Student Equipment and Materials: Pencils are vital to a band rehearsal. In each
section folder I will provide one pencil for each student in their section. At the end of
each class I will do pencil checks. If any section is missing pencils I will dock the
sections daily grade. Music Checks will happen randomly throughout the semester,
making sure that every student has their music for rehearsal. Any student without their
music will be docked for their daily participation grade.
Providing Student Assistance: During band it is difficult to attend to students
individual needs without disrupting the flow of class. I will ask the students to come to

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me with instrument problems before class, if a student is having difficulties during class I
will ask them to try and fix it themselves, and if it still does not work then see me after
class. If a student has a question about their parts, they may raise their hand and I will
call on them at an appropriate time.
Ending the Period: To end the period, I will signal to the students that we are
done rehearsing. I will then inform them of any homework or remind them of upcoming
events. Then I will dismiss the students and allow them to go put away their
instruments.

Creating a Respectful, Supportive Learning Environment

The band room often times is a safe haven for students from the rest of the
school. It allows students a large comfortable environment to explore, relax, perform,
and learn. I would like to create an inviting band room, that flows and is clean. The band
room has many needs and such I will try to use the space to the best of my ability. I will,
with the help of the students clean the band room daily so that it can be shown off by
the school. On the walls will be multiple bulletin boards. There will be one with general
proceedings, rules, procedures, and guidelines for each grade and ensemble. One
board will be devoted to student grades, missing assignment, and student praise. One
board will be a display at new material going to be learned in upcoming rehearsals and
lessons.
To create a respectful environment you the teacher will need to model
appropriate behavior. I as the teacher will be respectful and use a strategy of
complement and construct. Students that behave well will receive verbal praise, and
will be an example for other students. If a student is misbehaving I will try to not draw
attention to the student but rather discipline the student and continue teaching.

Managing and Facilitating Instruction

Lessons will have a general layout for each class. Class will begin with warm-up
and scale exercises, during this section leaders will get their sections materials and
turning in assignments. The first thirty-five minutes of a forty-five minute class will be
devoted to rehearsal. The last ten minutes will be focused on certain homework
assignments. These include having theme days like Music History Mondays, Technique
Tuesdays, Theory Thursdays, and etc. these assignments will be concise and simple
enough to be taught in ten minutes or less. Students will be grouped in sections to
promote a better understanding for their instrument and for ease of grouping. Rehearsal
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will focus mainly on group practice, but will occasionally break into section works. For
students with disabilities all accommodations possible will be made to help the student
be able to participate in band. Diverse learners will be treated on a case by case basis,
but all effort will be taken so that band can be a place that every student can belong.
Technology must be integrated into every classroom. Projectors will be used to
convey powerpoints, procedures, and general information for the large class. Recorders
will be provided to help students critique their own personal playing and large ensemble
rehearsal. For practicing school computers can be checked out so that students can use
smartmusic to record and turn in playing assignments. Music can be integrated with
technology but it is the goal of the teacher to use it.

Motivating Students to Learn

To help motivate student to participate and learn I will use a variety of
techniques. Grades will be the focus. Students that come prepared and participate in
rehearsal will receive high marks on daily grades. Students that turn work in on time will
receive better grades than those who turn in assignments late or not at all. Verbal praise
will be given during rehearsal for students that exhibit good behavior. For students that
participate in different parts of the band program will receive points that will go toward
lettering at the end of the year. Part of the motivation is the chance to see ones self
develop and become more competent on their instrument. I will record the student
playing certain things throughout the semester so that they can hear the difference in
their skill and ability.

Promoting Safety and Wellness

The Band room will be a safe zone. All behavior, gossip, and attitude that has
happened outside of the band room will not be allowed into the band room. In the band
room students will focus on becoming better musicians and expressing their emotions in
healthy ways. Music is an effective way for the bodies of developing students express
their feelings and emotions and will be encouraged to do so in positive ways. The band
is also a way for students to help their physical wellness. During marching band
exercise is encouraged to help students be in their best condition to perform.
At the beginning of the year I will review any safety risks in the band room, and
ask that if students ever find anything that seems unsafe to the structure of the band
room to inform me immediately. The band room needs to be safe and can be difficult for
one teacher to check effectively. If student see suspicious behavior from students doing
damage to the band room or its materials, I want them to report it to me as soon as
possible.
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If a student is being disruptive or violent I will first try to defuse the situation,
saying to the student what he or she is doing is inappropriate and needs to stop. If the
student refuses I would ask that student to sit in the corner for the remainder of class.
From there I would talk to the student after class and discuss why he did what he did.
depending on the severity of the behavior, I would inform the office and contact the
parents of what occurred. To prevent this behavior from happening I would continue to
work on classroom procedures that way students know what is expected of them.

Interacting with Parents, Colleagues, and Others

To have an effective classroom it is important to be in contact with many people
that can help you when you need help with your classroom management. Parents
should be contacted before school begins so that you can develop good classroom
procedures and expectations even before the class begins. Good relations with
colleagues can help you discuss different ways to deal with classroom behavior and can
help with understanding students if they have those students. A teacher should also be
on good standing with administration so that way they can support your management
techniques.
To contact Parents I will post monthly on a blog or the band web page updates
about band events. Before marching band begins, I want to meet with the parents and
have a discussion about what is expected of the students. I will make sure to talk to
each and to call every parent before school begins. newsletters will be given to students
so that parents have paper copies of activities happening in the band. Parent support is
vital in a successful band program.

Colleges should be informed of all events that are being planned months in
advance so that agreements can be made. One of the biggest difficulties is working with
the other departments such as vocal and athletics. To have an effective program you
must work to support each other rather than fighting over which program is more
important. As a band teacher one of the hardest goals is connecting music to important
skills. As a teacher I will discuss with various teachers about what they are working on
so that I can connect lessons in band to their lessons. The band needs to be a place
where all topics are touched such a math, reading, social studies, science, art and 21st
century skills. My goal as band is to create a successful band while fostering all areas of
study.