Alexis Noring

Classroom Management and Communication Plan

1. Management Style and Philosophical Beliefs

I have recently completed a survey to determine my classroom management style. The results
defined my style as authoritative. I wasnt at all surprised to find that my teaching style is the same as my
parenting style. While I recognize this is a preference for how I interact with children and adolescents, I
believe that there are times when I will demonstrate all management styles. This survey was useful in
highlighting my area of strength. In order to have and be successful in classroom management, you have
to know yourself.
When you know yourself, you know your limits. This is important to classroom management
because I know what to expect from myself and what I will be expecting from my students. This carries a
lot of weight into how learning is conducive within the classroom. Being authoritative means, that when I
interact with students, I am helping them develop into being independent individuals that understands
rules and expectations. An authoritative teacher welcomes conversations and provides students a safe
environment to do so. This style also demonstrates how authoritative individuals heavily consider
situations before dealing inappropriate student behavior. As a parent I am aware of this when I deal with
situations with my own children.
I believe that students should be
given the opportunities to learn when and
to behave. Also, to understand how their
behavior can affect the entire classroom.
In reading Better than Carrots and Sticks:
Restorative Practices for Positive
Classroom Management, by Fisher et. al, I
recognized that, Students are going to
misbehave as they learn and grow-its how
we respond to their misbehavior that
matters (Fisher, Frey and Dominique). I
understand to be effective with the skills
that I already have, these are two things
that I need to keep in mind when
responding to inappropriate behavior. As
students get older they appear to dislike
routines and rules, but rules they
understand and like to have them in place
to make their learning environment
productive and safe.

2. Establishing a Positive Classroom Culture

In order to build the classroom environment that I imagine, I have to build a relationship with my
students. To build that relationship I have developed a student survey. Surveys are a great way to get to
know the students personally as it isnt enough to know them academically. Some students come to
school looking for a safe environment, and role models who can foster their growth. One way of doing
this is, is to find out their interest. The survey can serve as a conversation starter to show students that you
are genuinely interested in who they are as people, and their lives outside of school. Before students will
learn to trust that I care about them, and do whatever I can to the best of my ability to foster their growth
as learners, individuals, and members of society, they need to see and feel that Im invested in them.
Once I have shown my students that I am invested, I will be able to continue to grow a positive
classroom culture. I believe there is a process to follow in order to obtain the classroom environment one
desires. When dealing with inappropriate behaviors, Fisher, Smith, and Frey state If we are to restore
classrooms and schools to healthy learning communities, we have to focus on the actions without
rejecting the individuals (Fisher, Frey and Dominique). This statement focuses on the individual who is
separate from their behavior. In maintaining a positive classroom culture, students need to understand that
their individuality is positive and behaviors that they may demonstrate are negative. I want my students to
see who they are as individuals is not what they do or how they behave. The survey will help me remind
students of who they are. They will start to develop positive ideas about themselves that will carry over to
the classroom and in their work.

Student Survey
Name_______________Blk__
My top two or three favorite activities are
Other activities that I like to do are
My favorite subject is in my free time, I

I li
1.

Friends are important because

My favorite subject is

2.

My responsibilities at home are

I like to watch TV shows and movies about

3.

I like to read

My favorite show or movie is

4.

If I had $1 million dollars I would

5.

I do/do not like this class because

6.

Things to help me be successful are

7.

Something you should know about me

My favorite type of music is

My favorite music artist is
I think a teacher should
I like school because
I like my family because

3. Developing Classroom Rules and Procedures

By understanding who I am, I have realized that there are rules and expectations that I strongly
believe in. To begin with, expectations are foremost because students need to know what is expected of
them. This is also important because they need to develop expectations of themselves. Or they have
expectations that need to be fostered in a positive way. I will provide my expectations on the first day of
school. I know this will set the tone of how I will manage the learning environment but I want students to
understand my passion for my content. And know that I want to develop them into stronger individuals.
To develop students as strong individuals I focus on a concept that I feel encompasses how I
expect students to behave in my classroom: respect. I see respect as a way of living rather than a rule.
Respect yourself is number one because students need to learn they are the number one priority to
themselves. I will help students understand that how they see themselves is important to developing selfrespect. This also involves taking ownership for their learning, putting effort into their work, and
reflecting on how they behave. Simultaneously, they need to respect others. Due to the country we live in
respecting individuals outside of their personal preferences is a conducive way to navigate the world. I am
not nave in thinking they will respect everyone but they need to show respect regardless of their beliefs
and opinions. In addition, respecting property is important to how we take care of where we live. They
need to treat their property, the school, and any other space as if it was their own. Teaching them these
aspects of respect will show students that this is a reciprocal process.

4. Classroom Layout
The first image below is what my reality will be in an urban environment. The second
image is my ideal setting of a classroom. I prefer the second image. I feel that it is important for
students to see each other when they are responding to one another. This can be done with the
first image but the second image provides enough spacing, so students feel comfortable that they
have some personal space. I also like that the teachers desk is behind the students rather than in
front. From the opportunities that I have had to teach, I prefer not to have my desk up front. I
like walking around being available for my students, and this is part of monitoring the classroom,
leaving the desk behind, and putting the students first.

5. Monitoring the Classroom and Responding to Student Misbehavior

To respond to student behavior I found the heirarchy below very useful to my thinking and
approach. I like to give warnings before giving consequences. One way of dealing with misbehaviors,
side talking for example, is by saying Ill wait. This doesnt call the students out nor does it reprimand
the students. What this does is causes the students to think of their behavior as disrespect against the
entire class and not just my lecture. I will also move within the proximity of students, let them know that I
am here to teach everyone, and that I need them to focus on what I am saying so that everyone can learn.
When it comes to minor behaviors such as, bad language or non compliance, I will redirect the
students to my classroom conduct practices. Upon referencing those practices, I will have a conversation
with that particular student to follow up with my expectations. I will let them know that their behavior is
disrespectful. I will also let them know that I am concerned, as this is not expected of them because they,
as individuals, are not their behaviors. Should behaviors step out the definition of minor infractions, I will
refer to administration, after I have let the student know how their behavior does not represent any signs
of respect.

6. Parents as Partners
The slide below provides various ways to treat parents as partners. As a parent, I love being able
to contact my childs teacher about any concerns that I may have. Because I will be with my students in
one of the toughest transitions of their life, having their parents as a partner will help in fostering their
growth, learning, and development. I feel this is a necessity to classroom management. By having an open
door policy, to a certain degree, I want parents to feel free to contact me to discuss their concerns. I will
send out monthly emails regarding projects that we are doing in class. These monthly emails will serve as
way to consistently remind parents where and when they contact me.
I also plan on giving my students thank you notes for positive, respectful behavior. I will notify
the parents of this when I do, so that if I do contact them about any inappropriate behaviors, they will
know that I recognize when students are at their best. I will also give students private notes regarding
when they have done particularly well on their work. Parents will be notified of this as well. My hopes of
doing this is to get parents to also recognize the successes of their child. This will especially serve well
for parents who may not be involved in their childs learning. When I communicate with parents, through
email, the three aspects of respect that I practice with their students will be listed at the bottom. My
purpose for doing this is letting the parents know my expectations and that this how I will treat them as
well.