Classroom Management Plan

Preamble:
As a teacher, the question that I ask myself on a daily basis is as follows: Why am I
teaching? This is not because I dont love what I do, but rather it is quite the opposite. It is
because I LOVE teaching and I constantly think about how I can help my students succeed. I am
always trying to find ways to make school more enjoyable for my students and teach them to
love learning as much as I do. Through asking myself this question every day, it constantly
reminds me why I got into this profession. It keeps my mind focused on the things that matter
most with my classroom in general and with each one of my students specifically.
With that in mind, I also try to think about what I want my students to leave with every
single day when they walk out of the classroom. My biggest hope for teaching is to help each
one of my students learn, grow, and become the best version of themselves that they can be. I
want to help them learn to love reading and learning and discovering new things. This love of
learning can only be achieved through a safe and healthy classroom environment, respectful
relationships, and through doing meaningful work and assignments that can be applied in many
different areas of life. Learning is a process that starts at a very young age and if I can help
students find joy in it now, then they will be much better off in the future.

Preventive Techniques:
Classroom rules:
I have 6 classroom rules that will be posted and enforced. All other procedures will be
explained and taught to the students to ensure proper classroom behavior throughout the day.
The official rules are as follows:
1. We respect each other.
2. We try our best.
3. We are a team.
4. We learn from mistakes.
5. We create.
6. We celebrate each others success.
Team & Community Building:
A great formula that I have learned that I believe applies very much in this situation is the
following:
Team building = Safe environment = Willingness to take a risk = Learning

The best thing that can happen in the classroom is the students learn to work together and
build off of each other. Through that, they can learn from each others ideas and experiences. We
will be doing different team building activities frequently throughout the year to help the
students become closer and work together better and reinforce that positive and safe community
within the classroom.
Teach Like A Champion emphasizes the importance of teaching students that it is not ok
not to try (emphasis added). As long as the students are trying and putting forth their best effort,
then the classroom dynamic will be a much more positive experience. I have 2 main mottos that I
constantly reinforce with the students and they are as follows:
1. Practice doesnt make perfect, practice makes permanent
2. Cant isnt in my vocabulary and doesnt belong in the classroom
Children need to believe that anything is possible and that they can do anything they put
their mind to. Sometimes the hardest things in life end up being the most rewarding, and that
comes from not ever giving up. In my classroom, I want to help students realize their fullest
potential and understand that the sky is the limit when it comes to learning or doing new things.
Classroom Arrangement:
I believe that the students should have as many opportunities to communicate and create
with each other as possible. Therefore, the classroom will be set up in tables. Each student will
be able to see the board and there will be room between them for me to walk around and have
access to each student. From the beginning of the school year, we will practice proper table
expectations as well as how to do partner talk (see below) in order to make sure we are all
successful together.
Class Jobs:
The following class jobs will be available to the students and will be changed on a
weekly basis (every Monday morning):
1. Class Assistants (one boy and one girl)- Help with anything in the class that is
needed. Pass out papers, take something to the office, etc.
2. Pledge Officer- Lead the class in saying the Pledge of Allegiance at least one
time per week.
3. Garbage/Recycle (one boy and one girl)- Make sure the garbage cans are all set
by the door at the end of the day for the janitors and take them back to their proper places again
in the morning.

4. Librarian- Make sure that the classroom library is organized and that the books
are all in good condition and in the proper place. They will assist in fixing any books that need
repair.
5. Secretary- Go around in the morning and check off who has homework on
their desk before we go through and correct it for a score.
6. Table Captains (one per table)- Collect any homework or other supplies from
their tables and put them into piles. This helps cut down on the chaos of everyone trying to turn it
in at the same time.
7. Citizens- Although students may not necessarily have a job that requires them
to do specific things in the classroom, everyone is very much part of the community. Their role
is to participate in the class and make it more of a community.
Cooperative Learning:
Cooperative learning comes when students basic needs are met and they feel a true sense
of belonging. According to Teasing, Tattling, Defiance and More..., Childrens [and adults]
social-emotional needs fall into three basic categories:
1. A need for belonging
2. A need for significance
3. A need for fun
In my class, it is one of my top priorities to ensure that these needs are met and that the
students feel as comfortable in class as they do at home. Once this level of security is established
(from the very first day of school), the students can begin to work more and more with each
other.
My students will be able to work together on the majority of their assignments. I am a
firm believer in the I do, We do, You do method. In class, I will demonstrate how to do it, and
then let the students work together for the remainder of the time. After that, the students will be
required to perform the task individually either for homework or work time in class. This will
allow me to accurately assess their understanding individually and determine where the
instruction needs to go next.
Partner talk is one thing that will be used on a daily basis within the classroom. There are
5 steps to partner talk that we will practice consistently throughout the year:
1. Turn to partner.
2. Make eye contact.
3. Decide who goes first (either let them decide or assign partner A or partner B to
start)

4. The first partner talks for a certain amount of time (calculated with a timer)
while the other listens intently at the same time. Then switch partners. The one who spoke now
listens and the other becomes the speaker.
5. Share with the class.
Engaging Curriculum:
Projects and assignments need to be meaningful. I plan on doing projects with my
students that allow them to learn more efficiently and effectively through higher-level thinking.
This way they are learning the same information as they would get out of a textbook, but they are
able to really study it and apply it. Projects immerse students in the information and provide
them with the real world connection rather than just memorizing facts and information.
While the students are at their desks during the lessons that dont currently involve
student participation (while I am in the middle of instruction), we will practice the SLANT
method. According to Teach Like A Champion, this method is as follows:
Sit up
Listen
Ask and answer questions
Nod your head
Track the speaker
With the SLANT method, it ensures that students are actively engaged in the lesson. It
requires the students to be practicing certain techniques while listening to ensure that they stay
focused. In my experience, when the students have these certain steps to focus on while listening,
they get more out of the lesson. It also serves as a quick reminder to help the students
concentrate again if I say we need to practice the SLANT method and review the steps frequently
for consistence rather than reacting to each individual circumstance.
Positive Classroom Environment:
I am a firm believer that the classroom should be a safe and enjoyable place where the
students can come to learn. They should not be afraid to be creative or to be themselves in my
classroom because the second that happens, the process of learning will be slowed down
considerably. I also believe in encouraging any and all students to be original and foster their
curiosity to see where the information takes them.

Supportive Techniques:
I have very high expectations for my students and therefore they will learn and practice
how they need to act in the classroom from the very first day of school. I will be there to help
and support them, as well as to provide reminders, but the responsibility falls on them. The
following ways are how I will support my students within the classroom environment:

1. I will continually circulate through the classroom while the students are working in
order to ensure that they have me as an available resource
2. If students are off task, I will quietly walk closer to them and utilize closer proximity
to them.
3. I will help the students focus better by being very transparent in what is expected of
them and for how long. If they are able to manage during the amount of time that I give them,
they will then get the opportunity for a short break. This will either be a game of 4 corners, a few
trivia questions to help the students relax their minds, brain breaks, or talking breaks.

Intervention Techniques:
In order for children to succeed in school and life, they need to be able to problem solve
and work well with others. However, they need to learn those techniques, and school is a
wonderful place for that to happen. While they are still learning these techniques, I will be
available to help intervene and provide teaching/learning moments on how to deal with both that
specific experience and expand it to others as well. With that in mind, I will do the following:
1. I will teach conflict resolution to the students in a whole class situation. We will
discuss what it looks like to problem solve and how to interact with others when there is a
problem.
2. If there are still problems, I will work with the students one-on-one to help them
recognize what is going on in the situation as well as how to act appropriately.

Procedures:
Morning schedule:
When the students enter the classroom in the morning they will go directly to their
seats after putting their coats and backpacks in the designated area. They will sit down and do the
morning starter if there is one. If there isnt one, they will pull out their reading books and read
silently until we are ready to go for the day (I will do roll at that time, this gives extra time for
late students to come in so that they dont miss anything, and there is also time for morning
announcements without being interrupted).
End of day schedule:
Similar to the morning schedule, at the end of the day the students will gather
their things together in preparation for going home. They will complete their exit ticket for the
day by writing down 2 good things and one bad thing so that I can keep tabs on what the students
like, what they dont like, and if there are any needs that need to be addressed. After that, they
will sit and read silently until the bell rings if there is any extra time.

Daily schedule:
The daily schedule will be posted on the board at the front of the room every day.
This will help lower the affective filter and anxiety of the students. It also helps them know
exactly what we will be doing (pending any unforeseen schedule changes) and we can focus on
the task at hand rather than worrying about what time we will be doing the different activities.
Absences:
The majority of the time, students cant help it if they are absent or not. That is
how life goes, and I understand that. Therefore, I do not believe in penalizing students for being
absent (unless it becomes chronic and they are doing it to get out of work). Naturally, it is not
ideal and I will promote good and consistent attendance within my classroom, but if for some
reason they do miss, I will work with them. Having them learn the information is much more
important to me (regardless of what day of the week it is) than the status of being absent.
In the classroom, we will have a container with hanging file folders for each day
of the month. Worksheets will go in that and it will be their responsibility to go get them.
However, that will not be the entirety of the work that they missed. The students will have class
buddies that keep track of the work and homework that we do in class and can catch them up
when they get back. This is another way that helps create more classroom community and
comradery between the students.
Basic management:
The main thing that I require is that the students dont talk while I am talking.
Talking fosters creativity and enhances the learning process, but they need to listen to the explicit
instructions to make sure they are doing it correctly. I dont mind noise in the classroom as long
as the students are working together and discussing the task at hand rather than having side
conversations. In my opinion, this ability to relax and learn together will help the students in the
long run truly learn the information and be able to apply it.
In the book, Building Classroom Discipline, it states the three main phases of
discipline as a form of progress. These three phases are as follows:
1. Training for Compliance
2. Teaching Students How to Behave
3. Managing Student Choice
With this format, the concept of discipline becomes a method of teaching students
to be the best that they can be rather than just reacting to different behaviors as they come. I
believe that this helps the environment in the classroom and helps the students to be the best that
they can be in all aspects of life. My classroom will be based on respect and honor and being the
best citizens that we can be.

Classroom Organization:
I believe that a clean and organized classroom helps foster healthy learning
practices and allows for more creativity. This is essential; however, when the students are in the
room they take top priority. There is always a lot to do as a teacher and the work is never
finished, but the students are the reason that we are there so it is important to make sure they feel
important.
I believe in using as much natural lighting as possible. If it isnt, I will bring in
lamps and other sources that can help to take away from the harsh fluorescent lighting that can
give headaches, be distracting, etc. I want to create an optimal learning environment for my
students that aids them in learning more and more effectively.
Assignments:
Assignments will generally not be worksheets from the book. They will be more
meaningful and require more work and creativity on the part of the students rather than just
memorizing and writing information. Assignments will be turned into the basket every single day
when the students walk in. Because I am trying to help students become more responsible, they
must initial when they turn in the assignment and it helps them to keep track of their own
learning and work. I will then go through the work, work with the students, hand it back and
discuss any issues or confusion with the students.
Independent and group/partner work:
Within the class, there will be a lot of partner work. The students learn better from
each other than when they read the information solely from a text. From the beginning, we will
practice partner talk (like previously mentioned) as well as how to act in and work with groups
of 4-5 students. The majority of the in-class work will be done as partners or groups and all
homework will be done individually.
Transitions:
Transitions will be done quietly and efficiently. There is no extra time to waste
through long and chaotic transitions. From the first day of the school, the students will
experience what a smooth & quiet transition looks and feels like and they will continue to
practice it throughout the school year. I will always be available to provide reminders and help
the students practice.
Homework:
Homework must be done and turned in on time. However, I will make exceptions
as long as the students come talk to me about special circumstances or if they forget. My main

concern is that they own their actions and are honest about it, then work to get homework done
and learn from the experience rather than skipping it if they forget to turn it in.
From the first day of school, I will emphasize that homework is the students
responsibilityNOT the parents. With that being said, if a student does their homework but
forgot to bring it, they will not be allowed to call home and have their parents bring it to them.
They must accept the consequence of not having it and bring it the following day. If they dont
do it, they cant blame their parents or anyone else but themselves for forgetting to do it and they
must act accordingly.
Bathroom/Lockers:
Students can go to the bathroom or to their backpacks any time I am not in the
middle of a lesson or assigning work for them to do unless it is an emergency. They must ask for
permission, but that is so I know who is in what location at any given moment in case there is an
emergency. If a student feels like they are going to be sick, or if they have a major issue, they
can just get up and go to the bathroom without stopping to ask. There are times when that split
second moment is crucial when it comes to whether or not the student makes it to the bathroom.
Early Finishers
There is no way that the entire class will finish an assignment or an activity at the
exact same time. When that happens, I dont want students just sitting around because they think
that they have nothing to do or work on. There will be a fast finishers idea board that will remind
them what they can do if they finish. They can:
1. Work on any unfinished work
2. Silently Read
3. Quietly work on something at their desk

Communication with Parents/Guardians:

E-mail:
At the beginning of the school year, I will get e-mail information from parents
and compile a parent e-mail list that can be used throughout the entire school year. I will stay in
contact with parents frequently throughout the year through this list.
SEP Conferences:
SEP Conferences are a wonderful way to meet and get to know parents in a
smaller setting. It is a time that we can really talk and discuss the needs of their child without any
other interruptions. Throughout the year, I will make sure to take notes on the students (both
their successes and if there are any issues that we need to work through), so that when it is time

for parent conferences, I make sure not to forget anything. I also plan on using continuous and
open communication with the parents throughout the whole year so that there is no surprise when
they show up to meet with me.
Phone calls home:
Generally, phone calls home have been made for only behavior issues. However,
it is important that parents also get phone calls when their child has done something good and
noteworthy. I will call home and communicate with parents as needed throughout every day.
Planners:
Planners are a way for each and every one of the students to stay organized with
their homework. As they continue throughout the year, parents will be asked to sign their childs
planner once a week to ensure that they are aware of what their student is doing and how well
they are doing in the class.
Notes home:
Notes will go home either on a daily or weekly basis (as needed). They will keep
the parents informed of what is going on in the classroom as well as maintaining communication
with them throughout the year to make sure everything is taken care of for the students success.

References:
Charles, C.M.. (2014). Building Classroom Discipline 11th Edition. Pearson Education, Inc..
Lemov, D. (2010). Teach Like A Champion: 49 Techniques That Put Students On the Path to
College. Jossey-Bass Teacher.
Wilson, M. (2013). Teasing, Tattling, Defiance and More: Positive Approaches to 10
Common Classroom Behaviors. Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc.