Classroom Management Plan

Jeffery Williams

University of Lethbridge

PSIII Spring 2017

PROCEDURES

Attention-getting procedures:
a) The first and simplest step in getting the classs attention during an
activity or lesson is to firmly call for the attention of the group and waiting
for all to focus.

b) If individual students continue to talk, I will mention their specific name.

c) If calling the name of an individual still does not work, I will approach
them quietly and gently touch their desk.

d) I will always tell students how long they have remaining with learning
activities or work, but I will make a particular point of doing this with
group activities like debates and discussions.

Question-answering procedures:
a) I will provide students with time to think before expecting a response.

b) I will always expect that students raise their hand when they want to ask
a question or make a statement. This will provide everyone with an
opportunity to share their ideas. Exceptions may be made with certain
activities.

c) To curb student anxiety in speaking and fear of being incorrect, I will

expect that students do not laugh, comment negatively, or ridicule in any
other way a person who has made a contribution to class discussion.

d) If there are students who have a fear of speaking, I will let them know in
advance that I will call on them. This encourages equality in participation,
while enabling less confident students to share their ideas.
e) If students respond to questions without raising their hands, several steps
will be followed: first, I will accept their answer and remind them at an
appropriate time to raise their hands next time, so as to avoid
embarrassment in the student. If the problem is consistent I will talk to
them after class and explain that while I appreciate their ideas I also
would like to hear from other students. Beyond that, I will make a phone
call home and discuss further steps with my mentors.

Transition Procedures
Bell Schedule: While the bell is the end of class, I will expect that the
students have left the class in an appropriate condition to move onto the
next lesson. If it is a recess or lunch bell, I will allow students whose desks
are clean to leave and get ready, while waiting with the students who have
not cleaned their area. Further, I expect that students do not start packing
their stuff up until it is appropriate; I will always allow time for them to get
ready and will let them know when that time is.

Start of Class: The start of class can be a rowdy time, especially if it is after
a break. I will use my attention-getting procedures, have students share a
couple of comments about their recess or weekend, for example, and then
introduce the lesson and the focus question for that day.

Start of Day: At the start of the day students are expected to write in their
agendas and they are in their home rooms. While I do not teach this, the
start of the day would be used to discuss what is up-coming in the day and
week.

End of Class: I will provide time for students to clean up. If students do not
clean up I will wait with them while they do. Students will be expected to
move responsibly and quietly where they walk to another room. Where
students remain in the classroom with me for the next class, I will wait for
students to prepare, use my attention-getting procedures, and then
introduce the next lesson. I do expect that students wait for me to indicate
that it is time to clean up.

End of Day: At the end of the day I will expect students to ensure the room
is tidy, wait patiently, and responsibly prepare to go home.

Change of Activities: Prior to a change in activities I will indicate that our

current activity is coming to an end, by indicating a remaining time. I will use
my attention-getting procedures to prepare students and when I have the
classs attention I will explain what is happening next.

Change of Subjects: When the subject changes I will provide students with
time to tidy up the room and ensure that we are ready. I expect that students
will work together to make this happen, and I will help them too. Once the
room is ready, I will use my attention-getting procedures and move onto the
next subject when the class is ready.

Distribution of Materials: Most of the time, because classes are short, I

will distribute materials by row, or while I am talking. In instances where
students hand out materials on my behalf, I will expect that they do it in a
responsible and mature way.

Access to Equipment: I will expect students to handle equipment in a

responsible and orderly way. With Chromebooks I will remind students that
they need to be plugged in when they are returned to the cart. For group
activities I will call on one member of the group to come and gather the
equipment that they need while the rest of the group waits attentively. When
there are multiple pieces of equipment per group, I will follow the same
procedure.

Classroom Cleanup: I believe that the classroom is a community and as

such all students will be responsible for ensuring that the classroom is clean.
In instances where the room is especially messy, I will grab a broom and
some cleaner and do those parts myself. My main expectation on the part of
the student is that their desks are clean and their belongings are not
cluttering the common areas in the classroom.

Daily and Safety Procedures

Late Arrivals: I recognize that life happens and that everyone might be late
at one time or another. In instances that students are late, I will privately
discuss with them to establish context. Where lateness is a consistent
problem I will contact parents or guardians to establish a plan to improve
student punctuality. Beyond this, I will follow the chain and discuss with my
mentors if the problem has not been solved.

Absences: It is the parents responsibility for students who will be absent to

contact the school (Crestwood School Handbook). In instances where the
school has not been informed I will inquire at the office first. The school
operates on a closed campus so students are not allowed to leave without
parental permission. In situations where students are inexcusably absent, I
will contact parents. Where absence is a consistent issue that is having an
impact on student learning, I will express this to parents.

Cell Phone Use: As per the Crestwood School Handbook, cell phone use is
prohibited during school hours phones need to be turned off and out of site.
Neither the teacher nor the school is responsible for damaged or stolen
phones. Phones may be confiscated by the teacher.

Bathroom Breaks: I will allow no more than two students at a time to leave
the room for bathroom or drink breaks. Students will be expected to ask
permission to leave the room for these purposes. If they leave without asking
I will privately talk with them on the first instance.

Pencil Sharpening: Pencils may be sharpened whenever I am not talking

but must be sharpened in a timely manner. If sharpening becomes a
consistent problem I will provide the student with a mechanical pencil for the
duration of the lesson.

Student Phone Home Calls: As cell phones are prohibited, students are
permitted to use the landlines with teacher/secretary permission during
school hours.

Individual Seatwork: Students will be expected to start with the seating

plan that they had before Christmas break as established by the teachers.
When necessary I will move students.

Playground and Free Time Rules: Playground and Free Time will be
governed by the schools four Rs: respect for self, respect for others, respect
for property, and responsibility for actions. Where students are being
disruptive during free time, I will remind them of the four Rs. I do not
anticipate too much free time. In both contexts bullying, disrespect of others
and property will not be tolerated and will be addressed immediately with
discussion, phone calls home, detention, or visits to the office.

Late Homework or Assignments: Students will be given plenty of time to

complete assignments in class and I will add or remove time as necessary.
When assignments are unfinished even after adding time, students will be
responsible for completing them on their own time. If late or unfinished
assignments become a consistent problem I will ask the student what we can
do to improve. In extreme cases parents will be contacted.
Missing Homework or Assignments: Marks of zero will not be awarded to
missing homework or assignments. However, students will be expected to
either finish or re-do their work in their own time at lunch or recess.

Homework Reminders: Homework will only be assigned at the request of

the student and/or parent as extra practice for students. I expect that if
homework is handed out in this sense that it will be returned in a timely
manner.

Student Illness or Injury:

Most injuries are minor and can be attended to at the school. With serious
accidents, parents are immediately notified and students are transported for
medical treatment if parents cannot be contacted. (Crestwood School
Handbook)

Fire Drills:

Windows will be closed, lights will be turned off by the teacher. Students will
not bring their belongings and we will leave through the prescribed exit in a
swift, orderly fashion.

Lockdowns: Door will be locked, windows and blinds closed, lights turned
out, and students will silently wait in the prescribed area of the room.

POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS
The initial seating arrangement will be the seating arrangement used
before Christmas before I started. I will re-arrange and move students
on an individual basis as necessary throughout the practicum.
I will record student interests by starting with a questionnaire on day
one where I ask students to tell me a little about themselves.
Throughout the practicum I will also make note of student interests
that arise in discussions. My mentors will also be able to provide me
with some interests.
On day one we will introduce ourselves to each other and we will
engage in a number of ice breaker activities. I will explain that group
work and community is an important aspect of my teaching. Finally, I
will express to the students that they are welcome to talk to me about
any concerns that they have in what they are learning.
 I will vary body language and tone of voice depending on the context
of the situation.

INTERVENTIONS

The classroom will have one golden rule:

Rule: Students will use the principles of the four Rs in the classroom

Consequence: On the first offence, or depending on the severity, I will

discuss with the student individually. On the second offence I will ask them to
come and speak with me in the hallway. On the third offence, students will be
given detention and a phone call will be issued home.

STRATEGIES
Talking: If students are talking in class I will mention their name in order to
gain their focus. If this does not work I will approach their desk. Finally, I will
move them to a better spot for them. If these steps all fail, I will have to talk
to the student individually and/or remove them from the class while I finish
what I am trying to say.

Off Task: If individual students are off task I will follow the same steps that I
have established for talking. If there are many people in the class who are
off-task it is likely a reflection of the quality of engagement and as such I will
use an energizer.

Name Calling: Bullying of all types is intolerable at Crestwood School and in

my classroom. The Crestwood School handbook notes a process for
addressing such issues: warning, phone call home, creation of a behavior
plan, office time-out, suspension, in a hierarchical way.

Pushing and Shoving: Pushing and shoving is dangerous, even in instances

where students are playing. Depending on context, I will follow the same
steps as above.

Running in Classrooms or in Hallways: I will remind students before

leaving the room how they are expected to move from space to space. If
students are running in the classroom or hallway I will call their name to gain
their attention and remind them to walk.

Swearing: Swearing is intolerable in the classroom, particularly if is directed

at a specific person. If students swear, I will wait to regain the class
attention, continue with the lesson, and when the time is appropriate I will
talk to the student individually. If students swear at a person, they will be
asked to wait in the hall and I will follow the same process as name calling.

Copying Someone Elses Work: I will make clear when work should be
completed individually. Copying will not be tolerated. If I find that students
have copied on an exam, they will be asked to re-write the test. I welcome
students to exchange ideas in a collaborative way where necessary,
however.

Taking Things: If students take things that do not belong to them I will talk
to them privately. If necessary, I will ask them to show me their back packs
and/or lockers. If the problem is consistent or if the taking is outright theft,
I will issue a phone call home.

Writing or Scratching on Desks: If students write on desks they will use

their own time to clean it up. If permanent damage is caused, students will
accompany me to the office and explain for themselves what they have done
and why they did it.

Fighting: As with bullying, fighting verbally or physically will not be

tolerated in my classroom. My first priority for fighting is to deescalate the
situation, ensure the safety of bystanders, and speak loudly to break the
fight up. Students will then individually explain the situation to me, I will take
them to the office, and lastly I will issue a phone call home.