Rachel Kwisnek’s Classroom

Management Plan

Introduction This classroom management plan is best designed for 2nd and 3rd grade. It can be

adjusted and differentiated for other grades such as preschool, 1st grade, or 4th grade.

This classroom management plan is based upon research and the best practices for

early childhood education. Each aspect of the plan is influenced by early childhood

pedagogy. Research has shown that classroom management is one of the most

important factors in student learning. The categories of classroom management

included in this plan are listed below:

• Classroom Management Goals

• Classroom Rules

• Management of Students

• Room Arrangement

• Organizing Materials and Supplies in the Classroom

• Organizing My Teacher Station

• Attention Signals

• Daily Schedule

• Routines and Procedures

• Rewards and Incentives

• Keeping Records

• Weekly Planning Schedule

• Homework Policy

1. Classroom Management Goals

The goal of this classroom management plan is to provide a safe and welcoming

environment for all learners. It is essential that students feel comfortable in order

to learn. By having written procedures and routines, the classroom can then run

more smooth and efficiently with few problems.

2. Classroom Rules

At the beginning of the school year I will allow my students to take ownership of their

learning and classroom environment by helping to create the classroom contract. This

activity will allow the students to think more deeply about their important role in

creating a great classroom environment. This process will help the students identify

what is important in the classroom and what they are responsible for doing. As a class

we will discuss the concept of a “Great Classroom” and also create an anchor chart. (An

example of the anchor chart is provided below). The students will discuss what a great

classroom looks like, sounds like, and feels like. After including ideas in each of the three

categories, the students will pick their favorite item in each one and place a sticker near

the word. This will allow the students to identify which aspects are the most essential

and important parts of the classroom. After this a large anchor chart of the

classroom contract will be created and the students will sign the contract or stamp

their thumbprint to state that they agree with the contract.

3. Management of Students

Flexible seating

Research shows flexible seating has immediate benefits. Some of the benefits of

flexible seating include: burning more calories, using up excess energy, increased

motivation and engagement, improvement in metabolism, improving core strength

and overall posture, and even increasing oxygen flow to the brain. Flexible seating is

associated with higher academic performance, better health, and improved

behavior. I truly want my students to take ownership of their classroom

environment and learning experience. This choice allows my students to take on

responsibilities in the classroom. The 6 elements of flexible seating in my classroom

that I want to promote are the following: pick 1 spot, work the entire time, stay on

task, do not distract others, respect the materials, and clean up all materials.

Here are several types of flexible seating arrangements that I will include in my

classroom.

• Yoga balls

• Otto storage stools

• Pillows

• Lap desks

• Small lowered tables with rugs

• Ikea stools

4. Room Arrangement

Learning Centers:

My classroom will include various learning centers throughout the room. During

guided reading time and guided math time, students will have the opportunity to

work freely and independently at their own pace. Some learning centers that will

be included through my classroom will include: math center, reading center, art

center, spelling center, and science center. Each week individual activities will be

introduced and modeled. The activities will then be available and directions will be

posted for the students to monitor their own progress in completing the

activities.

Collaboration Stations:

These collaboration stations will include a table set up with multiple chairs for

many students to work at. These stations will be used for group work,

discussions, and a large variety of classroom activities.

Small Group Instruction Area:

Another important aspect of the classroom arrangement is an area for small

group discussion. This area will be used for small group teacher guided activities

such as guided reading and guided math.

Writer’s Café Area:

Lastly, my classroom will focus on writing skills. The writing center will be an area

where students are always free to express themselves on paper.

5. Organizing Materials and Supplies in the Classroom

1. Photographs of Organized Material

Photographs of organized materials will be displayed as a visual aide for students so

they know exactly where materials are supposed to go (an example is provided

below).

2. Student Travel Kits

Since the student will not have assigned seats, they will not have specific desks to

store their belongings and materials. Each of the students will have one of these

travel kit pouches with their names on them. They will be able to place them on the

back of chairs and carry them wherever the go in the classroom.

6. Organizing My Teacher Station

• Monthly project bins

• Subject bins

• Individual weekly bins

7. Attention Signals

The following chart is a list of call backs between the teacher and student to grab

their attention, refocus them, and release them into a lesson and learning

experience. The first portion is said by the teacher and the second part by the

students. Another attention signal I will use in the classroom is clapping patterns. I will

clap a pattern and the students will have to respond with the same pattern.

8. Daily Schedule

A visual daily schedule will always be posted in the classroom. The visual schedule will

contain both words and pictures (accommodating for ELL students, ASD, etc.). The parts

of the schedule will be easily movable so that when there are early dismissals, special

assemblies, etc. than the visual schedule can be adjusted appropriately. This will be done

by using velcro or having the subject cards in pockets similar to the image below.

9. Routines and Procedures

1. Turning assignments in

There will be a finished work bin for the students to put any work that they finished.

2. Morning work/routine

The students will have classroom jobs at the beginning of the day. They will come in,

put their belongings away, do their classroom job, and then complete the morning

work papers that will be in their individual travel kits.

3. Take home binder/folder

Each student will have a binder that they take home each day. Papers, newsletters,

and a calendar will be included in the binder.

4. Lunch count

The students will have clothespins with their names on them and each morning

during their morning routine they will move their clothespin to a laminated lunch

card that is hanging on the wall, of the choice they want.

5. Sharpening a pencil/getting a pencil

The students will only be allowed to sharpen pencils at the beginning of the day. A cup

of sharpened pencils will be available for students if they need a new pencil during

the day.

6. Cleaning up at the end of the day

All of the students will be “room inspectors” at the end of the day to look around and

make sure the classroom space is clean and put back correctly.

10. Rewards and Incentives

Individual Incentives

1. Classroom VIP

The classroom VIP is a system that awards students for good behavior. The

students will help in judging who earned VIP. There will be a VIP nomination box

where if a student sees another student doing something that deserves the

VIP for the day, then they will write it down on a paper and put it in the box.

The teacher will pull from the box and reward that student the VIP for the

day. The VIP has a special supplies tote, a special VIP tag, and some cool

sunglasses. This incentive encourages students to look for the best qualities of

their other classroom, promoting a classroom community.

Entire Class Incentives

1. Classroom Fishbowl

At the beginning of the year I will purchase an empty fish tank and as the

students do little things in the classroom that deserve praise, I will put an item

in the fish tank.

11. Keeping Records

1. School Binder

This binder will contain policies and procedure of the school that will be need

throughout the school year. Some of the materials in the school binder include:

• School Procedure (schedule, dismissals, getting a sub, etc.)

• Emergency Policy (protocols, emergency traffic patterns and exits, emergency

kits, etc.)

• School Information (school population and make-up, services, resources, etc).

• School Policies (classroom visitors, releasing a student, attendance and absences,

support referrals for testing, etc.)

• Schedules (daily school hours, current school calendar, holidays, vacations,

teacher work days, conferences, reporting periods, etc.)

• Classroom Information (class roster, student phone list, reporting grade sheets,

etc.)

2. Filing System

• Referral file

• Note file

• Parent consent file

• Personal information/emergency card

3. Classroom Binder

This classroom binder will include three important sections: planning, reflecting, and

managing. The following is a brief list of materials and documents that will be included

in my classroom binder.

• Planning

o Weekly lesson plans calendar sheet

o Year at a glance sheet

o Important dates

o Small groups weekly planning sheet

o Guided reading/guided math weekly planning sheet

• Reflecting

o Lesson plan reflection sheet

o Notes for next year

o Questions sheet

• Managing

o Getting to know my students sheet

o Positive phone calls chart

o Family conference notes

o Conference schedule

o Student information sheet

o Family information sheet

12. Weekly Planning Schedule

This weekly planning schedule is designed for me to utilize every prep period of my

school day. This is a layout of a weekly planning schedule to prepare the lessons for the

following week.

1. Monday: Gathering day

This day will be for me to gather up the handouts and materials that I will need for

the following week.

2. Tuesday: Copying day

On Tuesday I will use my prep period to copy all of the handouts and materials.

3. Wednesday: Fill it in day

I will use Wednesday and Thursday to fill in my lesson plan.

4. Thursday: Fill it in day

I will use Wednesday and Thursday to fill in my lesson plan.

5. Friday: The finishing touches day

On Friday I will review all of my materials and lesson plans to make sure everything

is ready to go for the next week.

13. Homework Policy

1. Homework BINGO

As a way to get my students engaged in learning outside of school, I will use

Homework BINGO. Each month the students will be given a new homework BINGO

sheet to take home. On the sheet there will be relevant activities that they can do at

home. The students will be required to do one activity each week until the end of the

month. If a student gets BINGO then he or she can pick a reward card from the

reward card bin. Some of the rewards include: eat with the teacher pick your spot

in the classroom, feed the class pet, use the special classroom supplies bin, etc.

2. Reading Logs

Another homework activity I will use in my classroom is a reading log. Each night the

students will have to read for 20 minutes, or get a total of an hour and 40 minutes

for the entire week. In my classroom, I want my students to know that reading is

important and valued. This assignment is very flexible. Students can read comics,

magazines, books, recipes, etc. Families or other adults will sign on a log sheet each

night the student has read. The student will also write a brief sentence each night

about what they read in order to increase their comprehension skills.

Conclusion

By using these practices in my classroom, I hope to create a safe, nurturing, and

welcoming environment for my classroom. This plan is designed to allow students to

thrive and succeed in my classroom. It is my job to help them find their potential and

reach above and beyond their limits. Through the constant focus on my students in

creating the classroom environment, the students will have the opportunity to become

the best versions of themselves that they can possibly be.