Classroom Management Plan

                                                        

"Chaos often breeds life, when order breeds habit" - Henry Brooks Adams

This quote emphasizes the importance of chaos and the creativity and freedom that come from chaos, while also acknowledging that order is necessary. However, not all chaos is constructive, rather some types can become destructive, especially in a learning environment. I firmly believe that students of all ages need structure and organization while also having room to grow emotionally and creatively. Just as you would not begin to cook a new recipe without all the required ingredients, a teacher would not begin to teach her class without all the required materials available and ready to access. The following is my Classroom Management Plan for my dream job, as a second grade educator at our local elementary school.

My Plan Goals: Second Grade

The goals of my plan is to provide details of the type of teaching style I will adhere to within my class, the rules and expectation for myself as a teacher and for the students I will be teaching. I am a firm believer in time management, organization and structure, as long as it does not hinder the creativity that we will glean positive learning from. A mind that is allowed to be creative, is one that is not confined by the barriers of excessive boredom. I plan on incorporating role-play, games and interactive groupings to educate my students in certain subjects that might otherwise be boring. Because my students will be second graders and they would be relatively new readers, I would have reading promotion type contests to encourage my students to read daily. Through this plan, my students will know to expect a fun and interactive year in my classroom and in return, I will expect students who are eager and ready to learn. My plan will focus mainly on second graders as this is teaching goal.

My Rules and Expectations

Rules are necessary in all aspects of life, without them, we get in trouble and / or can cause others or ourselves harm. Some rules can be considered restrictive to our creativity while others keep us safe. The following are some of the rules I would expect my students to adhere to in order for our classroom environment to be conductive.

1) Listen with our ears : when we are listening, we are not talking.

2) Follow directions : knowing how to do an assignment ensures it will be done properly.

3) Raise your hand : shows respect for the teacher and fellow classmates.

4) Use your inside voice : yelling creates negative chaos leading to a lost message.

5) Be respectful

6) Share and take turns : creates a peaceful and conductive environment.

7) No bullying EVER : will not be tolerated!

8) Turn all work in on time : Teaches and promotes time management.

9) Be in class on time : Teaches and promotes time management.

10) Always do your best : it is expected!

The Role of the Student

The role of my students is fairly simple and straightforward, I expect them to be on time to school and my class, ready to learn and do their best, while also being respectful to everyone they encounter. Those are all a part of the above rules list, but I believe that a student who is prepared and on time, will have a better overall learning experience. In addition to the above listed expectations, I truly want my students to know that I welcome their creativity and hope through our lessons that they can grow emotionally and creatively.

My Role in the Classroom

My role in the classroom is the be available to my students, whether they need me to explain an assignment or a lesson or simply to be a friend. I want my students to revere our classroom as a safe, fun and family oriented place where they can learn and grow. As their teacher, I will treat my students with respect, be the adult that keeps them centered and level headed while also helping them grow educationally so that they will be ready for the next grade. When my students are successful, I, as their teacher share in that success.

Implementation of this Plan

Implementing this plan should be rather simple because my students will be second graders, the rules and expectation will always be in sight byway of fun educational posters hung on all the walls. Children this young need constant reminding of what is expected and the rules that must be followed, as they grow older they will know without hesitation what is expected. In addition to stating what the rules are and what is expected of them as students, consequences will also be paid out for them to always keep in mind. This ensures that each child is treated the same and that the punishments are given exactly as written out on the posters. As our text states "Make your behavior expectations crystal clear to your students and "stick to your guns" about not changing them. (Newman. 2013)" This could be considered growth hindering but I do not believe quality learning can occur when negative chaos occurs.

Visual Representation of my Classroom

         My classroom would be colorful, if not painted a stimulating color then hung with fun and colorful fun posters that would stimulate my students to learn. Most classrooms are arranged with a teachers desk at the front of the class with all the student desks lined into rows. I personally find this outlay boring, so I would arrange my students desks into pods ( 4 desks combined into a pod). This would allow me to separate students into learning pods, mixing students who are struggling with students who are not. This also allows me to separate students who are susceptible to disturbing the learning environment of the other students. Creating learning pods also promotes group work and learning games. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and so I felt this picture described my future classroom perfectly. It is colorful, adds fun to the learning environment and has the learning pod desk outlay I spoke about.

ISTE Standard

Of the ISTE standards I read, I would most definitely incorporate #1 Facilitate and inspire students learning and creativity. This one specifically flows into my goals, I want my students to be inspired to be creative in all things we do and attempt. Being creative promotes progress and originality, as well as personal growth. The second standard I found that would work into my classroom is #2 Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments. I believe that even students in the second grade are viable digital learners. Their minds are like small sponges, ready to be filled with information and skills. In the era we live today, being digitally literate even in the second grade is essential to a child's growth and future education.

　

　

　
                               
References:

Bailey, K. (2010). Clear Creek Elementary: Mrs Bailey's 2nd Grade. Retrieved on April 8, 2014. From: http://www.ccs.henderson.k12.nc.us/Teachers/kbailey2-web/00C7C636-000F5C5C.0/1172006_30853_0.jpg

Newman, R. (2013). Teaching and learning in the 21st century: Connecting the dots. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.