classroom management plan

Classroom Management Plan
EDU650: Teaching Leading & Learning in the 21st Century

Tawanda Green
1/19/2015

As an educator I am always cognitive of the fact that children really do thrive in a structured environment. If classrooms are not well organized then very little learning will occur. Therefore, I must always put my best foot forward in being prepared so that students are gifted with the best learning experience possible. I believe that my purpose is not only to inspire students to learn, but keep them interested in learning by: implementing a classroom management plan that support student’s time, space and materials.
Explain the goal of the plan, including the grade level
I currently teach a 4 year old preschool class and our management plan is essential to the daily functions of the classroom. In fact, Newman states, “Effective teachers must understand the critical relationship between classroom management and curriculum that engages, encourages, and motivates students” (Newman, R, 2013). Therefore, my goal for creating a management plan was to create a cooperative learning environment that supports and engage the learning process. My goal is also to insure that the plan meets the needs of every student so that actual learning will occur. I believe all students have potential, and as an educator it is my responsibility to facilitate such potential.
Rules and expectations
I set high, but achievable expectations that support choices and strengthen problem solving skills. I teach my students how to take responsible for themselves as well as their learning. Newman states, “In addition to holding students to high levels of academic success, teachers must have high expectations for student behavior” (Newman, R, 2013). Since my classroom is child-centered I allow the students to develop and enforce the class rules. I believe if students feel they are involved in the mechanisms of the classroom, they will be more excited to engage and learn. But more importantly the students will take ownership of their learning and classroom community.
Examine and explain the role students have in the classroom

My students are the enforcers in the classroom, and the roles they have are conducive to the classroom daily functions. I allow students the freedom to voice their opinions, ideas, and suggestions that will make their learning experience better. Allowing my students this opportunity makes them feel more involved in their learning. And they are not afraid to answer questions, because there aren’t any wrong questions or answers in their world. In fact, my classroom management plan encourages mistakes because it produces originality. According to Sir Ken, if you're not prepared to be wrong, you'll never come up with anything original (How schools kill creativity, 2006).
Examine and explain the role you play in the classroom

My teaching role is to present myself as a facilitator who unravels student’s hidden potential. According to the ISTE Standards for Teachers, “the environment should address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources” (ISTE Standards, 2008).Therefore, this requires me to use my skills to make leaning fun and interesting while also implementing the use of digital technology in the classroom. As stated in my education philosophy, it is my duty to specify behavioral objectives for myself in order to become a more successful educator. For example, if students enter a classroom that’s always unorganized or designed in a way that it hinders the learning process, it will create frustration, and their interest for learning will deteriorate.

Create and implementation plan

According to Newman, “it is essential to plan appropriately for how your class moves about, and transition between activities and lessons (Newman, R, 2013)”. Therefore upon arrival the student’s sign in by placing their picture and name onto the sign in board, next they put away all belongings, and wash hands. They continue to the choice board to choose a learning center which consists of various choices such as, technology, writing, art, blocks, manipulatives, library, messy room and so on. This is done by finding their name on the board, and attaching it to one of the pre-labeled pictures of the classroom center. The children gasped this routine very quickly, and they enjoy sharing their choices with parents. After choosing a center, the timer is set and the children may spend one hour or longer in centers until breakfast is served.
Once the timer ends the children who chooses to eat breakfast cleanup, wash hands and join the teacher and peers at the table. My co-teacher then sets the breakfast timer; when it is complete the students clean up after themselves. By putting plates, cups and other utensils in its appropriate places, followed by washing hands then back to the choice board. If the center that they choose is full they must make another choice until another child checks out of the desired center. The purpose of the choice board is to prevent overcrowding and chaos in learning centers. The management plan is structured in such a way that each time the timer sounds the children knows exactly what to do next. A well prepared classroom reduces the likelihood of student opportunities to harm themselves or peers; thus creating an unsafe learning environment.Page 1 of 8
Physical arrangement of the classroom

ISTE standards states that I must facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity (ISTE Standards, 2008). I believe this also includes the physical arrangement of the classroom. Therefore, my classroom tables are spaced to create enough room for children to adequately navigate with little congestion or chaos. The centers are designed to allow an adequate number of members without congestion and overcrowding. I believe this creates a warm spacious environment, it also provides space where I can have easy access to every student while moving around the classroom. The environment is equipped with adequate amount of windows that produces natural sunlight and all materials is eye leveled to the children for easy access. The circle rug is designed where all the children are sitting together, facing one another. I believe this enables more eye contact so that the children can be taught how to listen respectfully to others and share ideas with comfort. I also use cooperative learning as a tool to include as many learners as possible by creating multi- ability lessons so that every level of learning is an active participant, and students are learning from each other.
Conclusion
The classroom management plan allows students to get the most out of their time spent in class and it also provides the teacher with more teaching time. This allows less time dealing with behavioral disturbances which takes away time spent with diverse learners. I personally believe that my classroom management plan has built a positive relationship between myself and my students. It teaches students how to work together to solve problems with less interference from teachers. But more importantly, it provides an environment that is well organized and rich in learning.
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Reference Page
Newman, R. (2013). Teaching and learning in the 21st century. Connecting the dots. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
ISTE Standards for Teachers. (2008, January 1). Retrieved January 19, 2015, from http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/20-14_ISTE_Standards-T_PDF.pdf
How schools kill creativity. (2006, February 1). Retrieved January 19, 2015, from http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity?language=en