Classroom Management Plan

I believe students learn best when they are interested in the topic.
I believe students learn best when they feel accepted.
I believe students learn best when instructional strategies are varied.
I believe students learn best when their teacher is passionate about their subject.
I believe students learn best when they know their teacher cares about them.
I believe students learn best when they feel respected by the teacher and their peers.
I believe students learn best when they have a meaningful relationship with the teacher and other peers.
I believe students learn best when they are motivated to do their best.
I believe students learn best when their teacher knows the subject matter.
I believe students learn best when their basic physiological needs are being met (not hungry, feel safe, etc.).
 

1. The teacher will be standing at the door greeting students and making sure they are walking not running into class, they will then be expected to sit down immediately.
 

2. After entering the room, students will be asked by the teacher immediately go to their seats and prepare for class; take out work to be handed in, take out textbook, take out notebook and pencil.
 

3. If a student is tardy, he/she will be instructed to quietly go to their seat and join the class. If the student is constantly tardy the teacher will follow through with the school’s procedures on tardiness.
 

4. Students will remain in seats until the teacher releases the class, not when the bell rings.
 

5. If there is a question, students will raise their hand during “work time” and the teacher will attend to the student.
 

6. Participation in class discussion will be both volunteer and non-volunteer (teacher calling on students), I will ask somewhat simple questions to avoid embarrassment and will ask questions using guiding questions. I will also try to make every answer students give applicable to the question, with explanations and other guiding questions to get the student back to my original destination.
 

7. If a student needs a pencil/notebook/book they will raise their hand and tell the teacher. The teacher will then supply the needed material (only with collateral) or will allow the student to go to his/her locker. This will only be tolerated 2 times, after that the student must ask another student to share the required material(s).
 

8. When the teacher is standing at the podium everyone should listen and stop talking. If a student cannot comply they will be asked to please listen.
 

9. When students are absent they are responsible for asking the teacher after school what they missed in class and how they can make it up.
 

10. Groups will be arranged by the teacher. The groups will change often (every 3 weeks) but not until the group succeeds (works well).
 

11. Groups will be changed after every project, provided the group succeeded in the previous project. The reason for this is I do not want to reinforce bad teamwork. I will form the groups either by picking who I believe will work best together or if I have no concerns about certain students working with one another a random method will be used.
 

12. Students will be able to come before and after school for help from the teacher. The teacher will also pair students who would benefit from each other’s help.
 

13. Assignments will be handed in during class into a bin which is at the teacher's desk. The teacher will announce this time, (everyone take out your assignment and pass them forward, the first person in each row take your row’s papers and put them in the bin on my desk).
 

14. Work will be handed back by the teacher (who will always make sure to return it face down) at the beginning of class. All work will be returned within one week of turning it in.
 

15. Students will stay in their seats until the teacher allows them to get up. If they begin to get out of their seats the teacher will motion them to sit down, the teacher will then come over and ask what the student needs. If the student must get out of their seat the teacher will allow them.
 

16. Supplies will only be given out during “work time”. The students must ask to use supplies which will be located in the northern corner of the room.
 

17. Students will not sharpen their pencil while the teacher or another student is speaking, this can only be done during “work time”. If the student needs a sharp pencil they can get one from the teacher's desk. This pencil must be returned before the end of class.
 

18. Students will great visitors by politely saying hello in unison.

Rules:
Students will raise hands and wait to be called on.
Students must ask permission to get out of their seats.
The teacher will dismiss the class, not the bell.

Philosophy of Motivation
    Of all of the different theories on motivation I belong to that of the Humanists. This theory is based on the work of Maslow, specifically his hierarchy of human needs. Maslow’s theory states that ”needs that are lower in the hierarchy must be at least partially satisfied before a person will try to satisfy higher-level needs.” So, people are able to move up the hierarchy only when their basic needs are met. For example, if someone is starving and in constant danger they will be less concerned with maintaining a positive self image than with obtaining food and shelter. This is a dramatic example but the same theory applies to students. If a student is hungry because they are homeless they will not have much energy to devote to learning algebra. These issues would probably be addressed by the state rather than a teacher however. A teacher deals with the important needs of acceptance and self-esteem. These needs must be met in order for students to be motivated to achieve in school. A teacher who can put students at ease and make them feel accepted and respected as individuals is more likely to help them become eager to learn for the sake of learning According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, we all need to satisfy lower level needs in order to move up the hierarchy to self-actualization. If a student isn’t getting enough to eat or is in physical danger they will have little energy to devote to learning. Physical needs aren’t the only things we need to satisfy in order to succeed however. If a student feels comfortable in class they will be more likely to learn.
    In order to achieve this I will make an effort to learn about my students and try to understand them. This means I will go out into the community, go to students sporting events, concerts, and perhaps even church events. I will also make a concerted effort to speak to my students one-on-one very often. These things will help in my understanding of my students. Once a basic understanding of my students is achieved I can then start giving them what they need; Self-esteem, acceptance, respect, and thus give them motivation. Only when I have understood a student as an individual and make them feel accepted and respected can I motivate them to learn. To make them feel accepted I will get to know their interests using an interest survey and simply by talking to them. I will use inclusive language to help everyone feel accepted.
    These efforts will hopefully help in satisfying my students’ needs, although I do realize I can’t give them everything. But, by making them feel accepted, respected, and loved, they will have an increased motivation to succeed in my classroom.