Running head: Signature Assignment 1

Signature Assignment

By: Jeffery Hartley

Arizona State University

April 28, 2019

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Absrtact:

This signature assignment is for a class at Arizona State University. Throughout the

different sections, readers will be able to better understand teaching philosophies and

strategies created and portrayed by the writer. Different topics and sub topics will be adressed

such as philosphy of education and discipline, different theories in practice, preventative tactics,

supportive tactics, re-directing tactics, rules and consequences for different behaviors,

classroom layouts, and communication practices. This signature assignment encompasses the

overall strategy and theory of education.

Philosophy of Education- Self Introduction

My name is Jeffery Hartley and I believe in positive, encouraging educational strategies. I

was in the military for six years and believe in setting the tone of the classroom early. While I

may be a little more on the strict side and highly value self respect and respect for your

neighbor, I also believe in having fun. If students are haing fun and enjoying their lessons, I

believe they will be more actively engaged and retain more information. It is my goal to create a

classroom that students will remember as a place of positive learning experiences. Upon leaving

my class, students should be better team mates, possess a better understanding of collaborative

effort, and have a re-newed respect and value of themselves and their neighbor.

Philosophy of Discipline

I believe discipline is at the root of all hard work and success. In order for students to

become successful, they must learn discipline. Self-discipline will keep students on task and

working diligently when they become tired or burnt out. School weeks can be long and tiring.
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Through with self dscipline students will be able to develop healthy habbits that will be

condusive to the lifestyle they desire, and the success they are working to achieve.

When students are lacking the ability to complete tasks or stay on task, there will be

ample opportunity for disciplinary teachings. Different tutoring schedules will be provided as

well as assistance with weekly planners. In order to help students develop good work ethic and

self discipline, effective time and resource management skills will be required. Teaching these

skills to students is equally important as any other curriculum item.

Theory in Practice

As previously mentioned, the goal of a classroom should be a fun and positive

experience. Students will be able to exercise more and more freedoms and liberties throughout

the class as the year progresses so long as they are well behaved and earn these liberties.

Though I expect the students to have fun and obey class rules and procedures, certain tactics

will still be necessary to mitigate an out of control classroom.

Preventitive Tactics:

During the first few weeks, it is important to establish the culture of the classroom.

Laying a firm foundation of respect for the rules will create a preventative action against any

outlandish behavior. Also having a strict set of procedures will keep students on task throught

the day. Each day, students will come to class knowing exactly what is expected of them for the

day and throughout the week. Once students fall into a healthy routine and learn grow acustom

to the culture of the class, they will understand how to conduct themselves during their studies.

Supportive Tactics:
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While preventitive tactics are in place to establish a culture of positive, healthy,

productivity in the classroom, issues are sure to arise. Providing a support network for students

is also necessary to establish a positive environment and help students achieve their success. All

students in need of assistance will be able to have one on one time during my planning period

or at other times throughout the day. During this time, help with assignments, study habits,

organization skills, and other assistance can be granted to the students. So long as it is within

reason, direct assistance will be provided to students. The goal is to be able to provide as much

one on one time to students in need as possible.

Re-Directing Tactics:

While it is important to be plugged into the matters of students, there may be times

where issues need a different type of attention. If students are having issues with classroom

teaching techniques, alternative learning styles and assignments can be substituted.

Furthermore, if there are issues that are beyond my expertise or capability of resolving,

alternative sources for assistance will be provided. Outside tutors, couselors, and study teachers

or coaches will be made accessible to students who needs a different kind of assistance.

"Classroom Procedures and Rules/Consequences"

Procedures:

Procedures contribute to the culture of the classroom and overall positive experience all

educators wish for their students. Rather than explain what should not be done however, they

give guidance to what students should be doing and basic expectation for the class. A set of

procedures help students assimilate to the schedule they are given in a class and create and

expectation for learning. The following list of procedures will be utilized in my classroom.
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 Students will come in and find their seat in a quiet and timely manner.
 Students will stow their bags and personal belongings as soon as seated and prepare for

class.
 Students will place writing utensils, required text, and appropriate technology on their

desk.
 Once seated, students will copy their agenda for the day and prepare for the daily

activities.
 If students need to use the bathroom, they will raise their hands and ask. Permission will

then be granted or denied.

 If students need to borrow any materials, text books, or technology, they will raise their

hand and politely ask.

 If students need any other accommodations, they will raise their hand and ask.
 If a student needs to speak to me privately, they can simply raise their hand and ask.
 Daily assignments and homework from the previous night will be due at the end of class

on the following day. It will be passed forward and collected during the last five minutes

of the class period. Graded work will also be given back at this time.
 If students are finished with their work early or lecture ends early, they will remain

seated and quietly read, study, or work on homework until the bell rings.
 All borrowed materials will be returned before leaving class.
 Students will be emailed all assignments and be allowed to make up all work from an

excused absence.
 Students will meet with me individually to discuss options for make-up work if an

absence is un-excused.
 Grading
o The class will offer a total of 1000 points.
o 4 tests will be worth 100 points each (400).
o 4 journals will be worth 50 points each (200).
o 12 homework/daily assignments will be 25 points each (300).
o 1 presentation will be worth 100 points.
 Late work policy:
o One day late will result in a deduction of 10 points.
o Two days late will result in a deduction of 20 points.
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o If work is not turned in after two days, the student will have to meet with me to

determine what action should be taken.

 Extra Credit
o Two extra credit opportunities will be provided for a total of 100 points (50

points each).
o These points will be added to missing work and/or grades that are less than

100%.
 In addition to students signing this document, at least one parent will be expected to

sign as well.
 Parents are welcome to email me any day of the week with any questions, or to set up a

meeting for discussion.

Student signature: __________________ Parent signature: __________________

Rules:

While every classroom is different and each class will have a different dynamic, I believe

laying a strong foundation will establish a positive environment and create a healthy place of

learning. Despite each class and group of students being different, there are fundamental rules

that can apply across the board. Those rules create the classroom culture. In my class, there will

be five fundamental rules. These rules will be the standing doctrine of behavior and

expectations for student interaction. The following chart list each rule, the consequence

associated with the rule, and the logic in why that rule exists.

Rule Consequence Logic

No talking or disruptions A 15-minute detention will The reasoning for this

during class, lecture or be given out if a student consequence is simple. If a

designated work time. continually disrupts the class. student waste my time and

others, he or she will pay

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with their time.

Students are expected to If a student continues to yell Yelling out shows a lack of

raise their hands if they have out, they will be required to self-control and discipline.

a question. No yelling out. write sentences. This consequence reinforces

discipline.
Students will be in the If a student is out of uniform This consequence reinforces

appropriate uniform or dress or dress code. They will professionalism. As the

code. spend 10 minutes helping me students transition to the

grade and organize papers. adult world, they should

learn to be professionals.
No eating or drinking during If students are caught eating This consequence teaches

class (water is accepted so or drinking, they will clean the students respect for

long as there is a cap or lid the classroom after school. cleanliness and good

for the container). housekeeping.

Students must show respect If students are being Respect for others and most

to the teacher, all other staff, disrespectful, they will either importantly themselves will

their classmates, and stand and say 3 positive teach them most how to

themselves. things about whoever they become a positive,

disrespected. Or write a contributing member of

paper about those 3 positive society.

things.
These rules will be communicated on the first day of class. A copy will also be provided

to the students. Before the students are given a consequence for breaking a rule, they will be

given one verbal warning each day. This singular warning will be communicated clearly so there

is no confusion. It will be stated as such: “John/Jane, this is your verbal warning”. The students
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do not get one warning per rule. One warning is given, then whichever rule is broken next will

be followed by the appropriate consequence.

Classroom Layout & Rational

In today’s classroom, much has changed. With new developments in technology and the

changing styles of instruction, classroom layout can be much different than what is considered

the norm. Traditionally, classrooms were composed of rows of desks with a chalk or white board

at the front of the room. While this has worked in the past, it may not be the best way to set up a

classroom with the new technology available today. Below is a diagram of a new and updated

classroom layout. Below the attachment is the description of the layout.

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The diagram posted above is a 30x30 foot classroom. This 900 square foot room is

perfectly sized and capable of holding up to 36 students. The most noticeable feature in this

layout are the tables. Unlike traditional desks in rows, these tables allow student to collaborate

and work together. With a growing use of collaborative work, these tables allow more

productivity. Each table is equiped with two outlets to charge students individual laptops. The

students will complete most of their work at these tables on their laptops.
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The next feature of this classroom are the six smart boards hanging on 3 walls. These

smart boards will replace the use of white boards. As a history teacher, both screens can project a

lesson dually, or they can be used as a split screen providing a map and lesson details when

required. These smart boards will also be used to display all announcements and notifications. If

students need reminders or notes, they may copy down essential information into the notes

section of their laptop.

In the front left of the class, there are three bookshelves each connected to one another.

Since a vast majority of the learning will take place on the students laptop, additional text books

and reading materials will be stored on these shelves. If students need these texts, they can sign

them out and return them at the end of each class. Special exceptions can be made over the

weekend when required. While it is my goal to eliminate most of the paper use in this class,

There will be times when students must turn in paper assignments. This work will be completed

and turned in at the back of the class on the long table to the right of the door.

Finally, at the front right of the class will be my desk. While most of the time spent in the

class will not be here, it is still important to have a small workspace where I can organize my

paperwork and materials. Also, if students need to talk to me one on one, this is where they can

meet me.

Example Communication Letter

April 7, 2019

Jeffery Hartley
1440 East Broadway Rd.
Tempe, AZ 85282
Jeffhartley090@gmail.com
619-990-1674

Mr. John Smith

3232 South Rural Rd.
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Tempe, AZ 85282

Dear Mr. & Mrs. Smith,

I am writing you to inform you that your son Lucas has been experiencing some difficulties in
class. I will say first and foremost that his behavior is fine. He is always on time and is an active
participant in discussion and activities. Each day, students are required to come in quietly,
unpack and get ready for class, complete their agenda, and then prepare for the day’s lesson.
Lucas follows this procedure flawlessly and is a respectful student.

The issue that I am having with Lucas is in his attention to detail while completing his classwork
and homework. As I mentioned before, he is an active learner and has no problem engaging in
the lesson. However, when working on classwork, he is often distracted by others around him.
He also has a habit of daydreaming when given time to complete assignments or work on
projects. His inability to maintain focus has also affected his homework assignments. I believe
he is not paying attention to instructions when I tell the class how to complete their homework.
I believe Lucas is a smart student with a promising future. With your help I believe we can
remedy this situation.

I have set up a new system of in the classroom to help students check each other’s work before
submission, specifically their formatting of assignments. Because Lucas often struggles with the
formatting of assignments, I believe this should help him with that. I would also like your help in
checking his homework or helping him better understand the expectations for each assignment.
I have set up a new e-mail reminder system that will automatically send out reminders and
specific instructions for students when work is due the following day and week.

With your help and these new accommodations, I believe Lucas will be able to improve his
grade and quality of work. I thank you for your time and cooperation as we strive to improve
Lucas’ learning experience. Please contact me with any questions or comments you have.

Sincerely,
Jeffery Hartley
References

“Classroom Layout Assignment.” Floorplanner, floorplanner.com/projects/62710320/editor.