Classroom Management Plan

It is my understanding that the purpose of education is to scaffold children into a

better understanding of the world and themselves as human beings. Education, to me,

goes beyond providing students with information and seeing how much they can retain.

In order to effectively teach our students there must be a detailed and concise classroom

management plan in place. There are three components to a classroom management plan

that I find are essential; student motivation, the physical classroom environment, and

maintaining composure when dealing with negative behaviors.

The first point is student motivation. In order to keep the students engaged in their

learning, they must remain motivated. I believe that motivation is the most impactful

factor as well as the most challenging to achieve. I feel strongly that a big role of the

teacher in education is to promote motivation in their students. There is research that

demonstrates how teachers can help their students achieve motivation. One of these

suggestions is using student directed teaching. This includes giving students choices, and

encouraging them to be self-reflective and self-regulated. Allowing students to choose for

themselves enables them to develop more autonomy and fosters their independence. This

will most likely translate into less behavior problems as they feel they are in control of

their own education. Autonomy at the middle and high school level is crucial during this

period of personal development and often times translates into intrinsic motivation. I plan

on having an open discuss with the students on what they expect to achieve in this class

during the school year. I want them to make their own SMART goals and come up with

strategies they fell will best help them achieve those goals. Education is all about growth,

and so I would like to have the students establish what kind of growth they are looking to
accomplish and how I can assist them in doing so. At the end of the day it is up to the

student to decide how much effort they choose to put into their learning. Students will be

expected to put their best foot forward in order to reach their full potential, whatever that

may be as no two students are the same.

In addition to motivation, it is important that the classroom is physically designed

in an appropriate manner to set students up for success. Research has shown that behavior

problems arise when there is disengagement from school. In order to keep students

engaged the classrooms physical environment must reflect the values in the classroom

management plan. One focal point of the physical environment is to distinguish learning

spaces from relaxation spaces. It is important that students have an area where they feel

they can relax, this space cannot be the same as where they are required to do work.

Therefore, separate designated spaces are integral to keeping student engagement and

motivation high. Another part of the classroom environment that must be adjusted is to

keep everything structured. The usage of visuals is incredibly important when setting up

routines in the classroom. Post a large daily schedule at the front of the class in order to

keep students organized. It is also important to have visual instructions; this can help

build students independence and autonomy. The seating arrangement is another element

of the physical classroom environment that can greatly impact students behavior and

motivation. Keep the desks closer to the front, in order to grab students attention and

ensure the can hear and understand what you are saying. Students should sit in a U-shape

or in small groups so that they are not isolated, and can collaborate and be a part of a

community. Giving students the opportunity to participate in small group discussions is a

fantastic way to keep them engaged in learning.

 When difficulties arise in the classroom it is important for the teacher to maintain

composure. There are many reasons why students may act the way they do, whether it is

negative or positive. As educators, we should not assume that the students actions are

always against us, and that they are doing this to defy our authority. Students may have

poor interpersonal skills; they may see some situations differently from us, thus causing

them to react appropriately for what they are experiencing but inappropriately for what is

actually taking place. It is important that we remember we are human beings, and our

feelings and emotions, as well as our students, are constantly at play in the classroom. In

order to help students when they exhibit a certain behavior we must first develop a

rapport with them. As we develop rapport we begin to decipher how we should react to

each individual students needs. Some students may require space, and time to self-reflect

and be left alone. On the other hand, there may be students who need to talk through their

problems, and immediately look for a solution. Whether it is the first or the latter,

knowing your students on a personal level will help you determine how you react to the

behavior. An important management tool I believe is best suited for me is the use of

humor while attempting to de-escalate a situation. Laughter is a cathartic release and can

help diffuse the situation quickly. Although this tool works for me, I know that I must

still be sure that I know exactly who my students are, and whether this is an appropriate

reaction to their behavior. Every student is different and knowing the students needs and

preferences is crucial to maintaining efficient classroom management. Another thing I

plan on doing is establish clear expectations of how students are to behave in the

classroom. These expectations should be developed by the students themselves at the

start of the school year as they should have a say on how the classroom should be run.

The students should also play a role in making sure these expectations are met by all.

A teacher wears many hats, and should also have many tools ready for use no

matter the situation that arises. However, a concise classroom management plan is a great

way to avoid situations from escalating. It is a crucial aspect of the classroom dynamic

aimed at fostering a safe and nurturing classroom environment for all, and to have

preexisting strategies for when extenuating circumstance may arise. A good teacher in

my opinion has a pulse on the feel of the classroom and feels confident that they can take

care of anything that might happen in an effective manner. Having a good classroom

management plan in place is the best way to set yourself and your students up for

success.