Classroom Managment Plan

Classroom Management Plan

Classroom management is the most essential element in creating a positive, productive learning environment.  The strategies and systems used within a classroom must provide consistency in procedures, expectations and consequences for behavior. When students clearly understand what is expected of them as a class and as an individual, academically and behaviorally, they are able to feel comfortable and successful within the context of the classroom.  

As educators, we can construct and maintain good classroom management by:

·         Teaching students to live and work by the lifelong guidelines (trust, truthfulness, active listening, no put-downs, and contribution by giving one’s personal best) so they will be more engaged in the classroom and feel comfortable expressing themselves in all situations.

·         Creating clearly defined procedures in the classroom, such as arrival (what to bring, etc.), daily routines (starters, etc.), turning in and receiving back papers, clean-up and exit routines, etc.

·         Allowing students to have a voice within the classroom by creating, signing, and posting their own “essential agreements” for classroom behavior and expectations.  As students are able to communicate their expectations, they feel ownership of their classroom and become invested, which generates respect and self-discipline. 

·         Establishing clear expectations and consequences regarding academics and behavior for the classroom.

·         Being consistent in our routines, rewards, and consequences. 

As a teacher implements these strategies and procedures into the daily classroom routine, a bridge of trust develops between student and educator. When mutual trust is evident in a classroom, students are more willing to respect a teacher’s guidelines, as well as their peers.  Students then take responsibility for their own actions and are able to look at direction as an impetus for growth.  

What is your plan or philosophy regarding classroom management?  What are some tips you might offer for better classroom management to a first year teacher, or a teacher in general? 

Top Ten Things Activity - Middle School English

Here is an idea fora first day content activity in middle school English!

Top Ten: Top Ten Things You Need to Know About Me

7^th Grade English

(Objective: To build a collaborative classroom community by getting to know each other on a personal level; oral communication skills, intrapersonal skills – reflection skills)

Instructions: Create a poster based on the top ten things we should know about you.  Use the magazines in the front of the classroom to cut out pictures and/or words for your poster.  You can also you’re your own pictures or write out anything in neat, clean handwriting.  Remember that the purpose is to help us get to know each other better. Think about what is important to you, what you’re passionate about, things that you really enjoy, and what you believe defines you as an individual.  Be prepared to share the poster next class period with the class!

Grading Rubric: Review rubric with students and post rubric at the front of the classroom so that they can have access to it while creating their posters. 

Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Me Rubric
 
Students will make the posters on the first day and present them on the second day.  I will provide all the magazines and newspapers from which students can cut out their pictures and words/phrases.


What are some great "first day" content activities that you use for English or Theater (all grades)?

Philosophy of Education

Here is my trimmed-down, one-page Philosophy of Education for my portfolio!

Philosophy of Education

Education is a means for creating opportunities that allow students to access information and take an active role in learning.  Educators must do more than force facts and personal opinions upon students.  Rather, they should ask questions that solicit critical thinking and personal growth.  True education cultivates meaningful, important connections to a student’s life experiences.  It must relate directly to the student.  

An important part of education is facilitating opportunities that encourage learning. Each individual student has a unique method of learning, and has the most intellectual growth when they are able to access education through that method. As teachers we can encourage this intellectual development and create a student-centered classroom by doing the following:

·         Constructing experiences that support free-expression and decision-making through academic choices, as well as the power of choice in assessment

·         Advocating high expectations for student achievement and encouraging students to strive for excellence in and out of the classroom

·         Creating an atmosphere of safety where students are eager to be creative

·         Maintaining a culturally responsive pedagogy that promotes acceptance and respect, and allows students to feel comfortable in the classroom no matter their background

·         Allow students appropriate time and a safe space to ask questions or voice concerns

·         Encouraging discussion about differences between students’ beliefs and opinions - promoting respect and fostering conversations that allow students to feel comfortable while expressing their opinions

·         Making interdisciplinary connections

·         Tapping into each student’s personal funds of knowledge

·         Fostering learning experiences that include a variety of opportunities to stimulate multiple intelligences. 

Education is the essence of our society.  Growth, development, and change occur because of education and increased knowledge.  Personal development and social progression are only a possibility when education is placed at the forefront of our priorities as a country, a community, or as an individual.  Teachers have the unique and amazing opportunity to be the catalyst for the advancement of knowledge and individuals. A teacher’s job is to not only to create a functional or professionally literate individual, but to create innovative, free-thinking, lifelong learners. As an educator, the relationships formed and lessons taught change lives and enhance minds.

What are you passionate about as an educator? What are your philosophies regarding education and the classroom? How has that changed as you've spent more time in a classroom?

Getting to Know You!

I think that it is vital to create a safe space in your classroom at the start of your class.  As an educator, it is your responsibility to help students to feel comfortable and "break the ice" amongst your students.  One way to do this is to have a "Getting to Know You" game on the first day or at least in the first week of class.  Below are two ideas that I really enjoy!

Beach Ball Bash

You will need:  A beach ball, fine tip sharpies, and a bunch of random questions ready to be recorded!

Take the beach ball and blow it up to full size.  Use the fine tip sharpies to write random questions (some practical and some “off the wall” questions) all over the ball until it is completely covered.  Have students throw the beach ball to each other, not moving their hands after the ball is caught.  The student who threw the ball names any finger on the left of right hand and the student who caught the ball must say their name and answer the question under (or closest to) that finger.  Then, the student who answered the question throws the ball to any other student and repeats the process.  Encourage students to pass the ball to another student who has not yet received the ball.

Possible Questions:

If you were a superhero, what super power would you most want to have?

If you were a breakfast cereal, what would you be and why?

What are your top three favorite movies?

What is your favorite thing to do with your down-time?

If you could meet any person to ever live on the earth, who would they be?

If you could be a member of a tv sitcom family, which would it be?

What is your favorite musical/play?

Where would your dream vacation be?

What is the last song you played on your Ipod/the radio?

What is the best Halloween costume you have ever worn?

If you won a million dollars, what would you do with it?

If you were a crayon, what color would you be and why?

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Describe yourself in three words.

Tell us about your most embarrassing moment.

Do you dream in black and white or color?

Never Have I Ever

Have students sit on their chairs in a giant circle.  Leave enough room for some running around inside the circle.  The teacher can either begin the game or choose a student to begin.  Have the person starting the game stand in the middle of the circle, with no extra chair for them to sit in.  The person in the middle will then start by saying, “Never Have I Ever…” and list something that they have never done (make sure to let students know it needs to be appropriate).  Everyone who HAS done what the person in the middle has not done must get up and find a new seat as quickly as possible. The person in the middle will also try to take someone’s seat.  One person will be left in without a seat, and that person will now say what they have never done.  You can also have students say their names before they list whatever they have not done.

Examples:

“Never have I ever gone snowboarding.”

“Never have I ever been out of the country.”

“Never have I ever had a cavity.”

“Never have I ever worn high heels.”

“Never have I ever played football.” 

Both of these games connect to theater because they allow students to opportunity to start building trust and feeling comfortable.  This is the most important thing in a new theater class because without trust students will not be willing to perform and take risks in front of their peers.  

Both of these games connect to English because they help students begin to think outside of the box and open their minds, preparing them for creative writing and critical thinking.  

Have any great "Getting to Know You" ideas?  Please post them in comments! :)