Management Plan

Lisa Myers Spring 2011

Physical Classroom Organization

Room Description

Quality is the result of a carefully constructed cultural environment. It has to be the fabric of the organization, not part of the fabric Calvin Coolidge
Effective classrooms are carefully planned out and organized. I have arranged my second grade classroom to be the most conducive to learning as I could, using many resources and utilizing all of my space. Upon walking into the classroom, the student will be facing the dry erase board, so they will easily be able to see morning warm-ups and know to get to work right away. Directly to the right of the door is the community carpet area, where I can have the students sit during reading lessons and other carpet time activities. I will have a teacher s chair and an easel in front of where the students would sit. The learning center is in the corner, where it is out of the way so there is not distracting traffic of students moving around during independent lessons with me. On the other side of the room is the student-reading center, where students can sit and read during silent reading time. The bookshelf is placed right next to the reading center so that the books are easily accessible. The student storage shelf will hold various school supplies, such as pencils, erasers, crayons, markers, scissors, and glue. I think it is a good idea to have all of the students bring in the same supplies, and then share them among the whole class. The teacher s desk is placed on the opposite end of the room from the dry erase board and the carpet area to insure that I never teach from behind the desk . On my desk will be my computer and a phone. The intercom will be on the wall in that area as well. Next to the teacher s desk is a trashcan and recycling bin. There will be multiple throughout the room. The bulletin board is close to the carpet area, because I will put behavior charts and classroom rules there. Students will be able to move a clothespin with their name on it up and down a chart based on their behavior. I have decided to put the desks in groups of four, because I think that is a good number for students to work in groups. I have them all facing inwards, so that everyone has an equal ability to see the board. I have also placed the rows in window formation, so that ideally no student in the front row is blocking the vision of a student in the back row. The desks are placed strategically in between the bulletin board and the white board, so they can easily access both from their seats. The projector is mounted on the ceiling so that no view is obstructed as well. I think that with careful planning and organization, any classroom (big or small) can be an effective place to learn.

I. Operational Classroom Organization

~ You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with the best you have to give. ~ Eleanor Roosevelt
As hard as it may be to integrate a new student into the classroom routine, it is just as difficult, if not more, for them to learn their new classroom expectations. If I have a new student, I will try to get them acclimated as smoothly as possible. I think this starts with the students already in the classroom. Before the new student arrives, it is important for kids to be reminded how to treat people with respect, how to make people feel welcome, and discuss things we could do as a class to help the student along. I will add the student into our classroom routines. -Student work charts -Birthday chart -Browsing box I will have children volunteer to show the new student some basic classroom procedures and rules, such as the way we turn in our papers and line up for Specials. In addition, though, I will be very conscious of thinking aloud model behavior so that the student can learn the rules without feeling overwhelmed.

Displaying Students Work I think it is extremely important to display work that students can be proud of. I will have a bulletin board specifically for projects and themed artwork, such as projects about the current season. I will also have an area in the room that displays 100% scores on spelling tests or other quizzes that are similar so that students can feel proud to have their good grades displayed.

Keeping Classroom Orderly

Classroom Jobs

There will be a list of jobs that students will have for one week posted on the board. Each child will have their own magnetic name tag, and the magnets will rotate each week.

Line Leader

Paper Handler

Mail Monitor

Pencil Sharpener

Board Eraser

Plant/Animal caretaker

Messenger

Librarian

Recess ball patrol

Pencil Sharpening

Only the student with the pencil-sharpening job is allowed to sharpen pencils, when there is free time available. Students will place dull or broken pencils into the sharpen jar, and take usable pencils from the take jar. Why this works: Students will not disrupt class to sharpen pencils. Usable pencils will be readily available. y Workshops

Students will rotate through workshops for the daily 5 , in groups of 3-4 students. While the students are working, the teacher will rotate around the room to monitor students work, work with a small group or have individual conferences. y level. Why this works: Students do not have to waste time trying to find a book that interests them, or spend time reading a book that is too hard for their level. Students will be able to practice picking out books that are appropriate for them. y Supplies and folders Book Baskets Book baskets will be arranged in the library and sorted by subject and reading

Each student will have a browsing box with his or her name on it. In the browsing box, they will have folders for each subject, as well as any books they are currently reading. At each table, there will be a supplies basket, which will hold pencils and erasers. There will also be a supply shelf that holds boxes of glue, scissors, and markers for each table. Why this works: This organization strategy helps keep the work area clean and clutter free. Having the students have a potluck of school supplies also will help with the issue of mine and yours that many young children have trouble with. It also decreases distraction, as they wont have anything inside of desks to play with.

II. Disciplinary Policies Positive Consequences -Rewards: Class parties, videos, etc. -Student of the day, week, month etc. -Moving clip up -Privileges How to handle infractions A behavior chart will be displayed at the front of the class with clothespins labeled with each student s name. As the day progresses, the teacher allows the student to move their clip up, or instructs them to move it down based on their behavior. Negative Consequences - Time out - Buddy room -No recess

Super Star Behavior! (Student gets a super star card)

Model Behavior

Home (Everyone s clip starts here)

Time Out (Student sits with head down at desk)

Buddy Room (Student leaves room to cooperating teacher or office)

Why this works: This does not stop class instruction. Students can quietly get up and move their clip up or down. It does not involve raised voices or conversation. Students are also encouraged to do the right thing. When they see other kids moving their clip up, they should want to model that behavior to move their clip up as well.

Student Disrespect -Model good respect with please and thank you . Encourage students to use these words when they are speaking with the teacher and with each other. -Address the student by name. This shows a lot of respect towards the student. If the student feels respected, they may be more likely to show respect towards the teacher. -Talk with student alone. If the student has severe issues regarding respect, pull the student aside and talk alone to address the issue.

Playground conflicts Playgrounds often are the source of conflict. When I am a Recess Monitor, I will handle all issues consistently and fairly. I think it is important to have the students discuss the issue with the teacher as a mediator. I will follow these basic steps when handling conflicts on the playground: Step 1: Confront issue Step 2: Sit out Step 3: Miss Recess

Tardiness At a young age, students are not necessarily responsible for their own timeliness in getting to school. At the beginning of the school year, I will talk about how it is important to be at school on time. However, if tardiness is a recurring issue with a student, I will contact the parents to make sure they are aware of their child arriving late, and see if there is an issue that can be helped. Lack of motivation I think that motivation in the classroom starts with the teacher. It is my responsibility to introduce topics and assignments with enthusiasm. Attitudes are usually contagious, and if I can be excited about a topic, I would expect to more enthusiasm from students than if I acted bored.

Other ways to promote motivation and enthusiasm: Creativity! Don t let learning become redundant. Keep activities new and interesting. Include things like art, and keep students interests in mind. Student generated activities. Let students present their work to the class. Encourage ideas for classroom (educational) games. If they feel like they have some responsibility, they likely will be more motivated to learn. Have a reward system. A great way to keep students motivated is to have a marble jar . If students are doing work well, consistently turning in homework, scoring good grades on tests, the class earns a marble (or other item to go into a jar). When the jar is full, they are rewarded with a class party. Cheating I have a zero tolerance attitude towards cheating. This will be clearly explained to students within the first week of school. I will explain to students that cheating includes: y y y Looking off of another person s paper during a test Giving someone the answers to homework or a test Calling someone else s work your own

To prevent cheating, I will: y y Have students use folders during tests to shield answers Remind students during test to keep their eyes on their own paper

Consequences: y y Homework assignments with cheating = zero Tests are taken away immediately and only graded what has been written.

Principal involvement Concerning behavior issues, I will only involve the principal when completely necessary. Otherwise, the principal can be a great resource for discipline plan and behavior management. Before I start working at a new school, I will sit down with the principal and review my behavior management plans to be sure that they are consistent with the schools plans. I will also have the principal come into my classroom once or twice to discuss consequences, expected behavior and other important issues with the class.

III. Classroom Routines Routines will be practiced and reinforced. The most effective way to enforce rules is to be consistent when disciplining and rewarding students for their behavior.

Established Expectations The expectation list should be concise and easy to remember. There is no need for more than 5 rules. Expectations and rules can be written as a class, and then agreed upon with a signature. Expectations should be posted for students to see, and for the teacher to reference as needed. A copy of the student rules/expectations will also be sent home for parents to sign. Classroom Expectations 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Treat everyone with respect Raise your hand when you d like to speak. Work hard Stay in your seat unless dismissed Have fun!

Getting students attention: Give me 5

Procedure: 1. Eyes on Speaker 2. Quiet 3. Be still 4. Hands Free 5. Listen -Cindy Wong y Beginning the day

A warm-up activity will be on the board every morning when students walk in. Students are expected to put their things away, and then quietly get to work on the warm-up. They will have a specific notebook to work on just the warm-ups.

Warm-up Examples 1. Math problem(s) from current unit 2. Journal Entry 3. Grammar activity 4. Science question 5. Partner activity

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Asking for Help

I will use a big, beaded necklace to show that I am busy and to not interrupt. Necklace on: I am working with a student. Please wait, unless it is an emergency Necklace off: Raise your hand, and I will come to you. If you have to come to me, wait patiently for your turn.

Room Helpers Room helpers will always be welcome in my classroom. I will always be welcoming of practicum students, volunteers or older students who want to help. Some projects for room helpers: -Help with centers (monitor, guide) -Work with students individually on reading -Older students come in to read to the class -Help create center activities

Field Trips All aspects of field trips should be planned ahead of time and relayed to parents.

Permission Slips: These should be sent out 2 weeks ahead of time, and indicate where the field trip will be, the cost, the purpose, and whether or not students should bring lunch or not. Parent chaperones: Parent chaperones should be chosen and signed up at least one week prior to the field trip date. Chaperones should get a list of their duties and the expectations the teacher has of them. Field trip behavior discussion: Before field trips, the teacher should have a discussion with the students about appropriate behavior when on field trips, what they should expect to learn, and what they will be doing. Groups: Groups should be formed based on who works best together. There is no need to risk conflicts among students on a field trip. Groups should not be bigger than 5 students. Cameras: I d like to give each group one disposable camera, and have the parent chaperone be in charge of it. Students should be allowed to take turns taking pictures of things they find interesting. I will get the pictures developed so that we can discuss what we saw the next day as a class.

Homework In the younger grades of schooling, students are learning homework and study skills. I think it is important to help students practice and build these skills. y y Assignment book: Each student will have an assignment book that they fill out each day and have signed by a parent. Assignment Board: The teacher will have a whiteboard as an assignment board for the class so that students can reference what they have to write down. Homework items will be circled so that expectations are clear. Major projects: I will send a letter home to parents explaining major projects that are coming up so that they can assist their children if necessary.

Free Time Options for free time will be posted in the classroom. At the beginning of the school year, have a discussion with the class about things that are appropriate for free time, and activities that are not appropriate for free time.

Free Time Activities 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Read a book from your browsing box Work on homework Practice spelling words Organize your desk Free writing Handing in and

Passing Back Papers 1. Turn-in Tray: All assignments will be turned into the turn in tray near the teacher s desk. It will be the responsibility of one student at each table to collect the homework from their table mates and turn them in. 2. Returning papers: Graded work will be returned through the students personal cubbies. If it is an assignment that is simply checked off (not receiving a grade), this will be the responsibility of the paper handler .

Specials An important aspect of Specials that will affect the classroom routine is lining up. Because of this, I think it is important for the class to practice lining up, and have specific line rules : 1. Stay quiet while in the line and walking through the halls 2. Walk forward with arms by your sides 3. Single file The class should not proceed to Specials until they are quiet and ready to walk in the hallway appropriately. The teacher should be responsible for walking the students to their Specials and picking them up to escort them back to class. After specials, students should have 5 minutes to get a drink of water or go to the bathroom.

Restroom/Drinks y Restroom Pass: The restroom pass will be a coffee tin lid with a hole punched in it and string tied through. This way, students can wear the pass around their neck and will not have to worry about losing the pass while they are in the bathroom Signal to ask: 1 finger in air so that they don t have to interrupt the teacher or class.

I will also be sure to have breaks for bathroom and drinks after specials and after recess

Meeting needs of all learners

All students learn differently. Because of this, it is extremely important to get to know the students in your classroom as soon as possible. The first few weeks of school, teachers should know their students reading levels, basic test scores, interests and performance levels so that they can differentiate assignments appropriately. Ways to differentiate y y y y y y Centers: group of 4 or 5 students in same performance level work together at different centers and work with the teacher to target specific needs. Grouping: Students can be grouped by readiness, interests and learning profiles to work on projects or class assignments. Multiple ways to demonstrate learning: Give students options to show what they have learned. Student mentors Materials: Have appropriate materials in the classroom for all types of learners. Time: Some students need more time than others to work on assignments or activities. Plan accordingly. Have activities for students who finish their work early.

Parent Communication I think that parent involvement is key to student success. I would like to keep the parents as informed as possible about the things going on in my classroom, as well as the progress of their children. At the beginning of the school year (open house) I will make it clear that I value open communication and parent participation in their child s learning. I will make sure that parents have my school e-mail address as well as my school phone number. I do, however, think that there is such a thing as too much parent communication. I will only contact parents on the phone if there is a significant issue, or significant success in their child s school day. Something I would like to try out is to have a Teacher Blog that parents can access. It could contain the following: -Current events in our classroom (what we are working on) -Homework assignments -A place to sign up for field trip helpers or room helpers -A section where parents can write notes to the teacher for future absences ONLY -A photo section of class parties, field trips, and projects I do realize that many families do not have internet access, so I will make sure to also have a bi-monthly newsletter so that parents are kept informed.