Classroom Management Plan Marcus Dolliver

Classroom Management Plan

Marcus Dolliver

Anne Hewson

Classroom Management

St. Thomas University

November 2, 2016
Classroom Management Plan Marcus Dolliver

Classroom management is the key to having a successful learning

environment for students, and strong relationships as a teacher. Being a positive

influence and role model for students can be extremely beneficial towards their

learning and growth as individuals. This must be coupled with a learning focused

physical environment, included student autonomy, acceptance of others, and

overall classroom organization. By incorporating these things into the classroom

students will be able to recognize routines and norms, increase motivation towards

topics, and develop mindfulness. Combined, the classroom will have a positive

sense of community which fosters a strong learning environment.

Morning and end of class routines are an organization method which allows

students to be on task quickly and efficiently. Developing classroom designations

provides students with responsibility for an item such as a spill crew. Students part

of the spill crew take the responsibility of helping tidy after activities or when

accidental spills occur in the classroom. The morning routine allows students to be

welcomed, come in and get organized efficiently, and putting away their belongings.

Having a warm up question on the board which reflects on previous classes allows

them to reconsider previously learned tasks and further prepare them for the day.

Providing a visual representation of the days schedule allows students to recognize

what subjects will be discussed, when they will be having them, and any other

events which may happen. Changing the daily schedule can also be a designation

for students. Having an end of class song, time to organize and clean, or rug time

are all things which I incorporate into my final lessons each day. These activities

provide a conclusion to the class on a positive note, and give students time to

consider events which occurred throughout the day.

Classroom Management Plan Marcus Dolliver

Classroom norms develops appropriate classroom etiquette and strong work

habits. Norms do not replace rules, however the provide guidelines towards how to

do things or what should be happening. By explaining the procedure, modeling the

procedure, providing student practice, and implementing norms, students will have

a strong representation of how to act in the classroom. When students do not

follow these norms, it is important to address the students immediately. Being

consistent and specific with students will give them opportunity to consider

classroom etiquette, and improve their ability to follow the classroom procedures.

Collaborative skills are specific ways in which students are expected to behave to

achieve class norms. These skills may include beginning and ending conversations

in concise and educational ways. Asking for help and asking for favors help build

norms in the classroom because it shows students care. Avoiding negative

comments is a common norm which is to be heavily emphasized always.

The physical environment of a classroom is to be organized in a way which

allows students to explore many forms of educational subjects. Environments are to

be safe from injurious materials or items, provide students with optimal opportunity

to be creative, and allow social skills to be developed. Some things which I consider

in a physical environment is:

Appropriate lighting

Having appropriate lighting in a learning environment is extremely important.

From personal experience, I have struggled through many different classroom

settings with poor lighting and receive severe migraine headaches from

them. Things such as flickering lights, blinds which separate lights, overly

bright lights, or direct light can heavily throw off the learning of a class.

A reading area
Classroom Management Plan Marcus Dolliver

A reading area is valuable to a classroom because it provides an opportunity

for students to sit together as a class for various activities. Reading areas for

read alouds and other activities allows students to become accustom to

scheduling and routine. The reading area should either be away from

windows or by windows with substantial blinds so that children can not see

what is going on outside. Limiting distractions in reading area provides

students with a better opportunity to focus on the task, especially if the book

has no visual component. This may change from student to student, however,

many students have stronger abilities to concentrate with less distraction. If

space permitted I would include a community rug in the classroom as a

reading area. This would also provide students with a space to unwind from

built up stress, or a place to lay and do work.

A class Library

A library with a diverse selection of books is extremely important towards the

implementation and comprehension of different literature. It also allows

students to be selective and find books they will enjoy for silent reading time.

Cooperative learning desk positioning

Having appropriate desk room and arrangement provides opportunity for

discussion and communication. With this, students can share their beliefs

and thoughts. This builds community and relationships which promotes

inclusion.

Art/Science/Activity table or area

Having an activity table for students to get messy is important for

organization and cleanliness. If students are not provided this space, it will
Classroom Management Plan Marcus Dolliver

become their desks. Keeping things in an organized manner away from their

workspace is a great method to organization, and exploration.

Cubbies for the students belongings

Having cubbies keeps each students belongings organized and the classroom

neat. They provide students with a sense of responsibility, and develops their

independent organizational skills.

Providing students the freedom to make their own decisions is a great way

towards building leaders, growth of responsibility, and developing student

autonomy. As the teacher, it is important that there is a structure behind those

decisions however. In providing structure I would give students options which they

would be able to choose from. Small group and cooperative learning is an essential

part of building student autonomy because students are accountable for themselves

and their group. It allows them to make decisions as to what roles each student will

play within the group and how they are going to perform each task. In many cases

these decisions are not provided but rather learned. This type of seating

arrangement fosters leadership and listening skill acquisition.

Inclusion and Diversity in the classroom must be promoted and understood.

Incorporation of this can be done in many ways, through many subject areas. A

unique way of building an understanding of diversity is providing a map which

students place their name in an area they can relate to in some way. This allows

myself to see what kind of connections my students made which I can potentially

incorporate them into lessons with their permission and parental permission. This

activity allows students to recognize the difference and variety of backgrounds

which they are surrounded by daily. Having a multicultural calendar can additionally

benefit the classroom because not all students will celebrate the same events or
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holidays. Relaying content in diverse ways (visually, auditorily, physically) provides

learners a variety of opportunities to succeed. In doing so, incorporating and

supporting the small wins idea can benefit students drastically. By developing

small wins, students are given simple evaluations where success is highly promoted

and achieved. This allows them to build self confidence, motivation, community,

and stay positive from day to day. These feelings will act as a buffer when they do

not fully understand a concept in the future.

Mindfulness is the ability to be focused on the task in the present moment.

Being mindful allows students to concentrate and be self aware in the classroom.

The importance of developing mindfulness is for all levels of students and working

professionals. Providing time and methods for children to destress and calm their

body and mind allows better concentration within the classroom and provides time

to consider behaviours. Mindful moments in the classroom can be done in many

ways. Some simple and effective methods are developing breathing strategies, and

the use of calm down jars. Breathing strategies allows students to begin creating a

body and mind connection towards learning, while calm down jars provide a visual

representation of relaxation and an end mindset.

As a motivated educator, I aim to develop motivation in my students to

perform class activities and develop learning strategies. Developing intrinsic/self

motivation at a young age can help students show interest in topics and

internalization of what is being taught. Providing opportunities for intrinsic

motivation is essential and will be done through constructive criticism and positive

feedback.
Classroom Management Plan Marcus Dolliver

I believe that punishments shouldnt be direct and vocalized to any student.

A punishment can be something simple like receiving a bad mark on something

because of lack of effort. I would provide verbal feedback and further attention to

the student when they are doing things the appropriate way. This can build intrinsic

motivation so that they do better in the future. A consequence must have a

teaching element and must be relevant to what they did.

The development and implementation of a classroom management plan is

essential to the students learning. By providing an optimal learning environment,

they will be able to develop positive attitudes toward learning, communicating, and

including others.