Emily Meyer Classroom Management Plan Drake University

Classroom Organization and Routines

A. Physical 1. Desk Arrangement: Ideally, I would like to have tables in my classroom. As an English teacher, I would really like to utilize small group discussions and I think tables would be an efficient way to do so. I would change the groups every unit in order to allow for different perspectives in the small group setting. 2. Learning Centers: I would like to have a "reading center" in the back of my class with comfortable chairs and bookshelves of free reading. During independent reading time, students will be allowed to get comfortable and read in their place of choice. 3. Small group work area(s): As I said, in my ideal classroom I would have tables instead of desks for this purpose. 4. Computers: I have drawn three computers in my picture. I would include this in my reading center so students would have the opportunity to look up books and work on papers in the classroom. 5. Audio-Visual or instructional equipment: I would love to have a smartboard to look up resources through the computer. It would also be helpful for student presentations. 6. Bulletin boards: I will definitely have my walls covered in my classroom. I want to display student work, but also just different grammatical things that are often difficult to remember. I'd also like to have a "quote" board where students can post quotes they find and enjoy in their reading. B. Operational 1. Teacher record-keeping procedures: I will have an attendance book, but my grading will probably be done on my computer. I have spent a lot of time thinking about grading, and although I think I will have my students turn all of their work in, I will have them star their best pieces of work to be graded. 2. Welcoming new students in your room: I think standing by the door (and keeping the door open) between classes is important. I also want to be sure to use students names and converse with them about things important to them outside of school. 3. Keeping the classroom orderly and students' desks clean: I will try very hard to keep the last five minutes of class for "housework" time. Especially if I have many classes in a day-- I want to make sure that I keep my room clean for each section. At the end of the day I will also make sure things are picked up and orderly before leaving school. 4. Displaying student work: Like I said, I will have a bulletin board for student work. I would also like to have a bulletin board for book recommendations by my students. C. Routines: 1. Establishing group rules/expectations: I would like to create a class constitution on the first day of class. I think it is important that students feel they are included in what is expected of them. 2. Using free time: Free time will be independent reading time!

3. Doing homework (late work, make-up work for excused absence): If a student needs to catch up, this will be their first obligation before silent reading time. However, if late work is becoming a serious issue, students will be requested to come in on their own to complete their work. 4. Dismissing class: I will use the last 5 minutes for organizing/picking up and then allow my students to leave when the bell rings. 5. Establishing bathroom procedures or getting a drink: I will have some sort of "pass" for the bathroom/drinking fountain. One student will be allowed to leave at a time. 6. Communicating regularly with parents/guardians or care-givers: I like the idea of sending out a weekly email to parents letting the know what the plan is for that week. I will email the students as well!

Equity Assurances and Policies

Write a narrative essay for the section below that will explain how will you plan to create equitable learning opportunities for the following groups within your classroom both in creating a comfortable classroom climate and effective instruction (350 wd minimum)? Environmental Issues and Instructional Policies 1. Gender 2. Physical Disability 3. Special Needs - developmental 4. Special Needs - social/emotional 5. Talented and Gifted 6. Race/Ethnicity 7. Sexual Orientation Making sure that my classroom will be an environment that creates equitable learning opportunities for everyone is probably my biggest goal as a teacher. That being said, I also realize that it will be my biggest challenge as a teacher. I strongly believe that being a good teacher requires a constant desire to learn. By learning through my students differences, I hope to create a classroom that is a successful and safe learning environment for them. First of all, gender, race/ethnicity, and sexual orientation plays a big issue in learning. Especially as a future Language Arts teacher I want to provide not only a comfortable atmosphere, but also an atmosphere to emphasize the beauty in our differences as a human race. Fortunately for me, my subject allows me to touch on such issues through literature and other forms of art. Although I realize these issues are delicate and certainly sometimes controversial, I hope by making connections between these different groups of students that respect will not only be demonstrated but also emphasized in my classroom. Currently, I work for a non-profit organization for kids with special health care needs. This has been an incredibly eye opening experience for me, as I currently work with children that have physical, developmental, and emotional special needs. If there is one

thing that I have learned in this experience it is to allow these students as much independence as possible. There will certainly be situations where this isnt always ideal, but by instilling a sense of responsibility and independence in these students I hope to increase their confidence. It is no secret that classmates and even teachers often ostracize students with special needs. Often this isnt purposeful, just a result of not understanding a student as well as one should. This too is seen with our students that are gifted and talented. Though this is the other end of the spectrum, I believe it needs to be approached in a similar way. Monitoring all students, whether it be those with special needs, those that are gifted and talented, or the students that are considered to be at the average level- is essential to understanding my successes and failures as a teacher. By understanding and learning through my students special needs, I can work to make inclusion as successful as possible. Whether that means altering a lesson or altering the set up of a my classroom- these minor changes can make all the difference. I acknowledge that these things will certainly be trial and error, and as a future teacher I understand that every student will be different. It is okay to not get it right the first timeit isnt okay to simply give up after that first try isnt successful.

Disciplinary Policies and Professional Ethics

A. As a teacher and professional educator, describe in 1-2 sentences how will you handle each of the following situations. Add your remarks to the category as listed. 1. Classroom or school rule infractions: This will obviously need to be dealt with on a case to case basis. I think that the dealing with the infraction is important, however, I also don't want to disrupt and draw attention to the situation more than I have to. 2. Student disrespect to you or to other teachers: I believe this is one of those situations that needs to be dealt with in private. If there is a disrespect issue, I want to ask that student where the disrespect issue comes from and what can be done to improve the situation. 3. Student conflicts in the classroom: I believe this relates to the first situation. Conflicts in the classroom need to be dealt with in a manner that disrupts the classroom in the least amount. If anyone is in harm, then obviously it will need to be dealt with promptly. However, for the sake of avoiding disruption, a conversation or repercussion after class would be ideal. 4. Student inattentiveness or lack of motivation: This is something that I think is delicate to deal with. I will not want to reprimand a student for not being attentive or motivated- I would rather give them a reason to feel motivated. This is perhaps going to be my biggest challenge, but I hope that I can somehow give personal fulfillment and purpose to each individual student. This will require learning about new students and their likes and dislikes. 5. Tardiness : I will allow my students one unexcused tardy a semester. If the problem is consistent, I will keep the student two minutes after class for every one minute they are tardy. 6. Disrupting or offending another student during class: I will have no tolerance in my classroom for this issue. If a student is bullying another student in my class and it does not stop after my request, this student will be removed from my class. If they do stop

right away, I will leave the issue alone-- but be sure to have an conversation with the both students (separately) after class. 7. Consequences of student cheating: This is another one of those situations that will not be tolerated in my classroom. I will be SURE to tell my students that late homework is better than cheating EVERY single time. I will make it clear that if a situation arises where a student does not feel they can complete their work, I would rather them be honest and come discuss it with me rather than plagiarize or cheat. B. At what point and under what circumstances should parents/guardians and/or the principal be involved in a classroom management situation? This is very difficult to define specifically, but I believe any situation where a student is harmed/being harmful or a student is caught cheating the parents and principal should be notified. I also believe that in the case of a student lacking motivation and attentiveness after MANY attempts at resolving this issue, the parents should be notified. In this situation, I don't believe the principal necessarily needs to be involved.