Lindsay Sherwin

Classroom Management Plan

Research and Theories:
I am a constructivist. I believe that children learn best by creating their own knowledge and
adding it to their existing ideas and knowledge. Students should be allowed to take risks in their
learning and challenge ideas. In a constructivist classroom, students will interact in real world scenarios
and be able construct their own knowledge based on their own ideas of the world. In this method of
teaching, the teacher acts a facilitator rather than directly lecturing the students which allows students
some ownership of their learning. This approach also often allows students to be able to experiment
with ideas and create a more authentic and valuable approach to education.
With my approach to learning in mind, I will create a learning environment that is student
based. It is my hope that students will be able to view their classroom as their home away from home.
Students should, above all else, feel welcomed and accepted in their classroom. Without this, there is
no hope for the students to be able learn effectively or the teacher to be able to instruct effectively.
While taking the constructivist approach to teaching a learning, organization and management
are essential. Classroom management and behavioral issues should be handled within the first few
weeks of school to leave more time for learning. By doing so, teachers will save time further along in
the learning process and students will be accustomed to taking ownership of their classroom
community and learning success.
My formulated plan will include aspects of behavioral management that I will deem effective. I
believe that most behavioral issues should be resolved within the first few weeks of the school year. By
allowing yourself time as a teacher to solidify a classroom management and organization technique in
the beginning of the school year, students will know what to expect and which will save more time later
in the school year. My plan supports the constructivist approach to teaching because it will be a student
led classroom where children feel welcomed to create their own knowledge and to build authentic
knowledge through a variety of different experiences.
Elements of the Plan
With my teaching and learning statement in mind, I will create a community of learners which
fully supports the constructivist approach to learning. Much of constructivism comes from student
interaction with authentic experiences. In order to keep control of the classroom, a set procedure and
consequences must be in place in order for the students as well as the teacher to succeed. In order to
build a community of learners, I think students should be able to have a role in creating the rules of
their classroom. It is is, after all, not just the teacher's classroom. In order to build a community of
learners, students should have a part in how the classroom works. The teacher, of course, will make the
ultimate decisions but students will have a hand in making the rules in the classroom.
I think the most important part of building a community of learners is to make students feel
welcome in their classroom. Students should not be afraid to take learning risks or to give answers to
questions. Elementary school children are working towards building self esteem and self confidence
and the classroom should be an environment in which they are able to succeed and be supported by
both the teacher and fellow learners. In order to build self- confidence, I will have a star of the week
every week based on good behavior. The star of the week will be decided by raffle based on children
who have not flipped their behavior chart card. Students who stay on green will receive one raffle ticket
and students who are able to move their card up due to exceptional behavior will receive two raffle
tickets. At the end of each week, the teacher will draw one name. That student will be star of the week
for the next school week. The star of the week will have a bulletin board in the hallway with pictures

and facts about them. They will be the line leader for the whole week and will do the lunch count. At
the end of the week, depending on the grade, the other students will write the star of the week a letter or
draw them a picture during writer's workshop complimenting the student in a variety of ways. The
teacher will create a little book for the star and they will be able to take it home.
Diversity in a classroom goes far beyond just race. Some diversities among students include:
race, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic standing, and learning style. All students must be
supported in the classroom and set up for success. As a teacher, I will provide modifications in my
classroom management for those students. It can be as simple as putting ESL students near the smart
board or another high level student. Some children are disruptive because they want attention. One easy
way to try and improve that is to offer praise and celebrate small accomplishments with that student. I
will create a learning environment by allowing teamwork in the classroom by having each table
represent a team. The team will work together to earn or take away points. The student named teams
will have a point tally on the board and the winner at the end of the month will get a prize such as pizza
or homework passes. This will create teamwork within the classroom and motivate students to make
wise choices.
All students should be supported within the classroom management plan. It is difficult to write
about accommodations without knowing what needs to be done for students. Each and every child is
diverse from one another in their own way. I will create a plan to follow but one of the most important
characteristics of an effective teacher is their ability to reflect and adapt to their students' needs. I will
reflect on my management on a daily basis and change it based on student needs. I plan to conference
with students who are struggling and ask what I can do to help them be successful. I think that two way
communication between the teacher and student is an effective way to create a mutual respect for one
another and efficiently solve any problems in the classroom.
Rules:
Rules in a classroom should be positive and let children know the right choices they should
make in the classroom. Rules should not be too long and they should be easy to remember. By
collaboratively creating the rules with the students, I believe they will be more apt to follow the rules.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Respect all students and all adults.

Take care of our school, belongings, and others.
Participate and try to do better each day.
Be an UPstander- not a BYstander.
Make wise choices.

Students should know that there are consequences to not following the rules. The consequences
should be the same for all students. The teacher must be able to treat all students equally, which
includes consequences for rule breaking. I will have a classroom behavioral flip chart using different
colors. Students will flip their cards depending on the severity of their behaviors. Every student will
start on green each day as a fresh start. Students can move up to blue for outstanding behavior. There
will be consequences tied into the chart. It is my hope that students will have the routine and classroom
procedure down so well that I will not have to utilize negative consequences very often. I prefer
positive rewards rather than negative consequences. I also believe in second chances and therefore
students will receive two freebies every year. These freebies can be used if they forget to sign their
planner or do their homework. The behavioral flip chart will be as follows:
Blue- student will receive two raffle tickets for star of the week
Green- student will receive one raffle ticket for star of the week
Yellow- Warning
Pink- Teacher conferences with student and student signs a note sent home to parents who also have to
sign the note.

Red- Student gets note sent home from pink and conferences with principal for appropriate
consequence
A well run classroom has a routine and procedure set in place that students will be able to
follow. A schedule of the day should be posted in the room so all students will know what to expect.
However, not all students will have the same consequences for behavior and academic goals. Students
should have goals that they can obtain. Students should receive assistance in being successful such as
tier two behavioral goals such as PBIS chart goals that are specific to each child. Students will have a
set goal for their hourly or half hourly increments and will receive points based on their meeting of
their goal. Objectives for the day should also be posted so students and other professionals know
exactly what they are learning for the day. When students come into the classroom they should: hang
up their coats, turn in any homework, complete their lunch count, then start bell-work. When students
leave the classroom, they will line up by the teacher calling table teams. The teams will show that they
are ready by placing their hands on top of their heads. When coming into the classroom, the students
will be asked to come quietly into the classroom and put their heads on their desk and the teacher will
provide further instruction. After lunch or recess, the teacher will either read a story or play a short
video in order to calm students down and prepare them for learning. Students will always be finishing
work at different times, they will be asked to read a book or draw a picture quietly at their desk.
Transitions are often times a struggle for students. I think a set transition routine will help
students quickly and efficiently move from one activity to the next with ease. In order to gain student
attention, I will ring a bell and ask students to put their eyes on me and wait for instruction. This can be
used to end a round of Daily Five. Another way to gauge student progress is to have students put
their hands on their heads when they are ready to move on. During transition time times the teacher
will call out hands on top the students will put their hands on their heads and reply everybody stop.
The teacher will then provide further instruction.
Provide a diagram and description of your ideal classroom
Roles:
The teacher and students should have set roles in order to build a classroom community. As a
constructivist, I believe the teacher should be a facilitator rather than a lecturer. In order to accomplish
this, the students must have the role of engaged learners. The classroom plan that all students agree
upon will help the student and the teacher fulfill their roles. The teacher has to have many roles in the
classroom. He or she has to be an educator, a social worker, a technical support expert, a nurturer, and a
role model. Being a teacher, you will have many roles that are constantly going on within your day. The
teacher's responsibility is to care for each student emotionally, socially, and cognitively. The student's
role is to become a member of the classroom community by following the rules and procedures set in
place.
Communication between teacher and family is essential for student success. There are many
effective ways of communication but the most essential trait is that it is two way communication
meaning both sides are able to communicate freely with one another in a way that is both professional
and appropriate. Email is a great way of quick and easy communication. I plan on having a classroom
blog that students and their families can look at to keep up to date with the happenings of the
classroom. I also will have students have their planners signed each night to inform parents of
homework and other essential information. Parent teacher conferences are also an effective form of
communication where the family can be involved in their child's learning process. Families should be
involved in all aspects of the learning process. I will welcome parent volunteers and support but first I
think it is essential to define the roles of the parent within the classroom.

Ideal classroom set up:

Below is my ideal classroom set up and design. The classroom is very comfortable and allows students
the freedom to move around. The tables are set in a manner to enable student collaboration and team
work. The square rug will be the gathering place for students to meet during presentations and daily
five. To the left is the library area filled with books, bean bag chairs, and a sofa. In the lower left corner
there will be multiple computers set up for student usage. The kidney table will be used for
conferencing with students and reading groups. The red to the front and back of the room will be a
white board on one side and a smart board on the other.