Classroom Management Plan

1.) Philosophy of Education

Learners are commonly classified as below, on level, and advanced, with prescribed
teaching strategies and techniques for each classification. Through time spent working with
young people in instructional settings, I have come to realize that each learner is a distinct
individual with unique strengths and weaknesses. This idea is the foundation of my continually
developing philosophy of education. As you work with students, you must constantly evaluate
your performance and make adjustments as needed, I believe the same principle applies to any
teachers philosophy regarding education. My ideas, influenced by various philosophies of
educational theorists and my own personal experiences, are best conveyed in terms of skills and
attributes an educator must master in order to successfully meet the needs of the learners they are
called to serve.

An educator must be able to gain the trust and respect of their students by creating a
positive, safe, and wholesome environment where learning can take place. It is important that the
teacher encourage excellence while making a personal investment in each student's achievement.
Patience is an attribute of the utmost importance to success in education. Working with young
people can entail challenging situations; with patience, a teacher can work through challenges
while maintaining the student's respect. Dedication is imperative to success in teaching; there
must be a commitment to providing quality instruction on a daily basis. Teachers must not only
be dedicated to their students but also to continually evolving and bettering themselves to ensure
they are familiar with the best practices and advances in technology in order to implement the
most effective means of reaching learners. A good sense of humor is vital to interacting with
young people on their level, teachers will encounter situations that can be overwhelming if they
are not able to deal with them lightheartedly and move forward. Organization and the ability to
manage time well are keys to success in education, enabling a teacher to be prepared for class
and make the most of instructional time. Finally, something I have come to view as one of the
most critical attributes, a successful teacher must possess strong interpersonal skills and be able
to develop a good rapport with students, faculty, and parents of the young people they serve in
order to build a community of support.

2.) Classroom Management Philosophy

I believe that classroom management begins long before students enter the classroom on
the first day of school, and is something that should be maintained daily through adherence to

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clear expectations and regular routines. Before the teacher ever interacts with students, they can
work to create an ordered and effective learning environment. In order to constructively engage
students and minimize opportunities for disordered behavior, teachers must establish clear
expectations for behavior and prepare quality instruction that is interesting and informative.
From the onset of the school year the teachers expectations should be clearly expressed in a way
that provides positive examples of good behavior and encourages success. Throughout the year,
the teacher must consistently and equitably enforce these expectations by acknowledging
infractions and implementing procedures to replace misbehavior with appropriate positive
actions. By enabling students to succeed, while encouraging and supporting that success,
educators can develop an environment where learners want to behave because they feel valued
and believe that the instruction is beneficial to them.

3.) Theorist

Harry and Rosemary Wong state that classroom management issues can be overcome by
developing clear expectations that are instructed from the first day of class. I feel that their
system of teaching students how to behave properly and meet the classroom expectations before
teaching content helps establish order and sets a positive tone for the year. I also support their
philosophy that teachers must work to help students understand their roles and responsibilities in
the classroom. I subscribe to their theory because it is a constructive approach that centers on
building a safe environment with structure and routines that support student success.

Professional Website: http://www.effectiveteaching.com/

William Glassers theories on classroom management focus on providing students with positive
behavior choices rather than forcing them to behave by implementing coercive measures. I
strongly align with Glassers ideas that denounce Boss management, in which an instructor
attempts to force conformity. Glasser encourages Lead management in which an instructor
helps create opportunities for students to succeed and encourages their success. Teaching
students how to make positive choices and helping develop their self-efficacy and intrinsic
motivation to succeed enables students to live up to their full potential in the classroom and
beyond.

Professional Website: http://www.wglasser.com/

4.) Guidelines for Success (Classroom Rules)

ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST!

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 ALWAYS
be respectful of all members of our classroom, including yourself
be properly seated in your desk prepared for class when the bell rings
have a pen or sharpened pencil and your organized class notebook with paper

DO
listen to everyones ideas and beliefs in our classroom, even if they are different from your
own
keep your hands to yourself, dont touch your classmates or any items that dont belong
to you
sit up and pay attention during instruction and participate in class activities

YOUR
ideas are important, during test and quizzes keep your eyes on your paper
work may incorporate other peoples ideas, you are responsible for citing your sources
(dont take credit for other peoples work)
assignments should be completed and ready to turn in/present on the due date

BEST
Attitude
Behavior
Effort

SUCCESS REQUIRES YOUR VERY BEST ATTITUDE, BEST

BEHAVIOR, AND BEST EFFORT EVERYDAY!
5.) Rationales for Classroom Rules

Initially I developed a set of traditional classroom rules that began to feel like a list of demands
or commandments. In an effort to create a more positive environment where success in
encouraged rather than demanded, I decided to construct a set of Guidelines for Success that
would promote positive behaviors and help students clearly understand classroom expectations. I
tried to be concise and develop a simple statement, Always do your best, that helps illustrate
these expectations. These guidelines define expectations that will help students avoid the types of
significant misbehavior (disrespect, inattentiveness, and disruption) that create distractions from
learning in the classroom. I intentionally chose constructive language in order to help students
understand the personal benefit of living up to classroom expectations as well as their role and
responsibilities as contributing members of a community.

6.) Rewards

In my classroom I would implement an incentives program called Shearouse Bucks.

Shearouse Bucks are a means of recognizing excellence. They will be issued at the teachers

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discretion for superb behavior, high scores (100% = 3, 98-99% = 2, 96-97% = 1), and acts of
civility/kindness. They can be accumulated and redeemed for the following rewards.

Individual Rewards:

Listen to music while working during times approved by the teacher (you must have your
$5
own device w/ headphones)
$10 Item from the Vault (candy, mechanical pencils, etc.)
$20 Media Center Pass (to be used during free time as approved by the teacher)
Homework Pass (can be submitted in place of one homework assignment as approved by
$30
the teacher)

Group Rewards:
(We will tally the classes collective Shearouse Bucks as they work towards earning monthly
group rewards)

$150 Class will receive 10 minutes of free time

$250 Class will be held outdoors
$350 Class will earn free seating
$450 Class pizza party during lunch

Rationale:
This rewards system is designed to incentivize positive behavior choices and diligent work.
Personal rewards promote adherence to the classroom guidelines for success and give
individuals opportunities to work towards attaining small privileges. Group rewards encourage
students to work together and hold each other accountable during class in order to earn larger
privileges as a whole. All of the incentives have been chosen because they are things that are
frequently requested by students and can be realistically be provided by the teacher should
students achieve the criteria. The dollar amounts were chosen based on five day weeks with a
class size of thirty students.

7.) Consequences

1st INFRACTION: Warning (if warranted, the teacher may meet briefly with the
student after class to discuss the behavior)

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 2nd INFRACTION: Develop a Behavior Improvement Plan that identifies disordered
behavior, suggest causes of the behavior, and outlines a plan for improvement. This plan
will be sent home to the parents along with a note from the teacher. (NOTES MUST BE
SIGNED AND RETURNED THE FOLLOWING DAY)

3rd INFRACTION: After school Behavior Management Meeting followed by a

mandatory Parent Conference. During the thirty-minute Behavior Management Meeting,
students will review their Behavior Management Plan and determine causes of continued
misbehavior. Along with a plan for improvements, the student will identify all parties
affected by their behavior and determine ways to make amends, which must be carried
out in a timely manner. Following this meeting the students will share their plan with
their parent/guardian during a parent conference.

4th INFRACTION (AND BEYOND): OFFICE REFERRAL

ANY EXTREME VIOLATION OF CLASSROOM CONDUCT POLICIES SUCH AS

PHYSICAL VIOLENCE, WILLFUL REFUSAL, DELIBERATE CLASSROOM
DISRUPTION, etc., MAY RESULT IN AN IMMEDIATE OFFICE REFERRAL AT THE
TEACHERS DISCRETION. IN THIS CASE A MANDATORY PARENT CONFERENCE
WILL BE REQUIRED.

8.) Behavior Management Procedures

Beginning of Class

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 Teacher will greet students at the door and welcome them to class.
Students will enter quietly, take a seat quickly, and begin their warm-up.
Students will be in their seat, prepared for class when the bell rings.
Homework or assignments due that day should be out and on students desk ready to
be collected at the beginning of class.

Class Period
Students are to remain in their desk unless otherwise instructed.
Students will remain quiet and focus on the speaker during instruction and/or
presentations
Students will listen carefully and follow all directions.
Students will engage in classroom activities and participate in class discussions
Teacher will remain engaged in class as a facilitator during discussion and a
supervisor during activities.

Ending of Class
Teacher will post any homework and/or upcoming assignments or assessments prior
to the end of class; students are responsible for recording them daily.
Students will not begin packing up until there are two minutes left in class (if the
teacher is speaking or someone is presenting they will not pack up until instructed to).
Students will remain in their desk until the teacher dismisses them.
Students will ensure that their desk are neat and their area is free of any trash before
exiting.

Hallway
Teacher will remain in the hallway by their door between classes to greet and
welcome students while monitoring for misbehavior.
Students will move quickly between classes and not congregate in the hallways.
Students should only go to their lockers during locker breaks
Students will remain silent in a single file line when the class is traveling to lunch or
anywhere outside of the classroom.

Absentee Procedures
Each days assignments and all resources will be posted online and available for
students who are absent.

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 Students will check the classroom webpage when they are absent and will be
responsible for making up any missed work in a timely manner.
If a student misses a quiz or test, they will arrange to make up the assessment within
two days of the absence (opportunities for make ups can be arranged before school,
after school, or during lunch)
The teacher will check with absent students upon their return to ensure they
understand any missed instruction

Whole Class Activities

Teacher will provide all instruction and resources necessary for students to complete
class activities and stay engaged and attentive to ensure all students understand their
objectives and remain on task.
Students are responsible for keeping track of any handouts and notes in a well-
organized class notebook.
Students will respectfully wait their turn to speak, and avoid any distractions while
others are speaking.
Students will engage in all activities and give their full attention during instruction.

Small Group Activities

Teacher will circulate around the room during group work to conference with each
group checking for comprehension and participation.
Students are responsible for being prepared with all necessary resources during group
activities.
All group members are expected to complete their objectives and participate in any
discussions or presentations.
Group members will work together productively and respect each others ideas and
opinions.

9.) Letters to Parents

Beginning of the Year Letter:

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Dear Parents,

Welcome to our class! I am excited about the upcoming school year and look forward to
serving you and your student! My name is Mr. Shearouse and I will be teaching Language
Arts/Social Studies this year. Your child is an important part of this class and their participation
will help contribute to our overall achievement. I would like to share my expectations for
students with you and ask that your family review these Guidelines for Success:

ALWAYS DO YOUR BEST!

ALWAYS
be respectful of all members of our classroom, including yourself
be properly seated in your desk prepared for class when the bell rings
have a pen or sharpened pencil and your organized class notebook with paper
DO
listen to everyones ideas and beliefs in our classroom, even if they are different from your own
keep your hands to yourself, dont touch your classmates or any items that dont belong to you
sit up and pay attention during instruction and participate in class activities
YOUR
ideas are important, during test and quizzes keep your eyes on your paper
work may incorporate other peoples ideas, you are responsible for citing your sources
assignments should be completed and ready to turn in/present on the due date
BEST
Attitude
Behavior
Effort

SUCCESS REQUIRES YOUR VERY BEST ATTITUDE, BEST BEHAVIOR,

AND BEST EFFORT EVERYDAY!

My goal is to help your student achieve a high level of success in this class. Please help
support and reinforce these expectations. In return, I promise to provide engaging lessons,
quality instruction, meaningful assessment, and constructive feedback. Feel free to contact me
with questions, suggestions, or concerns.

For more information, visit our class website (http://mgmtplan.weebly.com/).

Thank you,
Mr. Shearouse
cshearouse@middleshool.k12.ga.us

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Letter Addressing Behavior:

Dear (Parent/Guardians Name),

Your student is a valuable member of our class and I enjoy working with them very much.
Unfortunately, I have noticed some behavior recently that needs to be addressed in order to
ensure their future success. On (Date) I spoke with (Students Name) because they (Concern:
failed to turn a homework assignment, disrupted class by talking repeatedly during instruction,
etc.).

I had to speak with (Students Name) a second time on (Date) because (Concern). As stated in
our Classroom Management Plan, a second infraction of our Guidelines for Success requires
students to develop a Behavior Improvement Plan. This is an effort to help students recognize
problematic behavior, identify causes of the behavior, and outline a plan for self-improvement.
Please review the Guidelines for Success with your student then have them complete and return
the attached Behavior Management Plan with your signature.

This early intervention is intended to keep you informed of your students progress and correct
issues before they have a negative impact in the classroom. Thank you for your help and support,
please contact me with any questions or concerns.

Mr. Shearouse cshearouse@middleshool.k12.ga.us

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-Behavior Improvement Plan:

Complete and return with Parent/Guardian Signature

Behavior I need to
improve:

Reasons for
inappropriate behavior:

How I will improve my

behavior in the future:
*3rd Infraction- Behavior Management Meeting & Parent Conference
*4th Infraction (and Beyond)- Office Referral

Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________ Date: _________________

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Letter Addressing Excellence in the Classroom:

Dear (Parent/Guardians Name),

I wanted to take a moment to let you know how much I appreciate (Students Name)s diligence
and dedication in our class. (He/She) regularly demonstrates excellent behavior and consistently
puts forth (his/her) best effort. (Students Name) shows a great deal of motivation to succeed
and truly lives up to our Always Do Your Best classroom guidelines.

(Students Name) recently performed very well on the following assessments:

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS COVERED/OBJECTIVES SCORE

I am grateful for the opportunity to work with (Students Name). Thank you for your continued
support and encouragement of (his/her) academic progress.

Mr. Shearouse cshearouse@middleshool.k12.ga.us

Letter Addressing Poor Performance in the Classroom:

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Dear (Parent/Guardians Name),

I enjoy working with (Students Name) in Language Arts/Social Studies, and want to do
everything I can to support their success. Based on recent observations and assessment I see a
need to strengthen (Students Name)s comprehension of essential content. I want to ensure that
(he/she) completely understands important concepts and ideas before we move forward.

(Students Name) did not perform well on the following:

TYPE OF ASSESSMENT CONCEPTS COVERED/OBJECTIVES SCORE

This early intervention is intended to keep you informed of your students progress and correct
issues before they have a negative impact in the classroom. I would like to meet with (Students
Name) as soon as possible to develop a plan for success. Once we have developed a plan
(he/she) will review it with you. Please sign (his/her) copy and have them keep it in their class
notebook. Thank you for your help and support, please contact me with any questions or to
schedule a conference.

Mr. Shearouse cshearouse@middleshool.k12.ga.us

10.) Website to Inform Parents and Students of the Classroom Management Plan

http://mgmtplan.weebly.com/

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