CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT PLAN

Guidelines:

1. Everyone matters.

2. Try first, then ask for help

3. Be respectful when someone is talking

4. Be respectful of classroom supplies

5. Stop and listen when the teacher calls for attention

In my future classroom, I hope to create an atmosphere of excitement and exploration. This must first start with an environment of respect for all. Each student is just as important as the next.  Students should feel free to express themselves in both joy and frustration, and know that they are heard.

I do not blame students for acting out. Everyone has a bad moment or a bad day. Sometimes they forget to stay focused on the task at hand. A gentle reminder is usually enough to keep a situation from becoming a bigger deal than it needs to be. But When an unacceptable behavior begins to repeat and disrupt the learning of others, it becomes a problem that needs to be addressed.

I do not believe that yelling is an effective strategy to teach appropriate behavior. To respond to an inappropriate behavior with another inappropriate behavior does not set a very good example.  It is better to have a quite conversation. The first step is to ask the student “Why?” Why are they behaving the way they are?  And why do they think I might have a problem with this particular behavior? It is important that they understand why the behavior is unacceptable. Then they will develop a sense of what is and is not acceptable classroom behavior.  One of the best ways to explain why a behavior is unacceptable, is to point of real life consequences that would happen is they acted this way in the “real world.”

The next step is to formulate a strategy that will work for that student or class. “How can we fix this?” “What would be a better way next time?” “Can you do this even though you don’t want to?”

With older students, one  way to encourage good behavior and work ethic is to ask students to portray themselves as who they want me to see them as. Do they want me to see them as someone who allows themselves to be late to class? Do they want me to see them as a person who argues, talks back and is disrespectful? Do they want me to see them as someone who is lazy and does not care? Do they want others to see them this way? Do they think that people who act this way will be hired for a job?  

When students respect others and their environment, we are able to create a classroom where students are able to talk among themselves as they work, move about the room as they please and pass out and put away the supplies on their own. I want to impress upon my students responsibility, not obedience.