Classroom Design - Pic (1)_merged (1)

Bean  bag  chairs  

Comfy  reading  chairs  

Bookshelf  with  plants  on  top  

Bookshelf  with  plants  on  top  

Bookshelf  

with  

plants  on  

top  

Reading  nook  and  seating  area  Ba

throom

    Individual  student  cubby  space  with  classroom  supply  storage  on  top.    

Writing  Center  with  chairs  and  supplies  

Word  W

all  

 Listening  area  with  pillows  

Technology  wall  with  computers  and  iPads.  Bulletin  board  above  with  student  artwork    

Six  student  desks  with  chairs  

Six  student  desks  with  chairs  

Six  student  desks  with  chairs  

Six  student  desks  with  chairs  

Bookshelves    

Hamster  and  fish  tank  on  top  

Entrance  to  Mrs.  Bouma’s  1st  grade  classroom    

Intercom  

Sink  with  drinking  

fountain.  Storage  space  

above  and  below.  

Guided  reading  and  group  activity  table  with  chairs  and  supplies  in  middle.    

Magic  meeting  rug  

Watching  Chair  

Adult  chair  

CD  player,  sm

art  board  supplies,  dry  erase  board  storage,  m

arkers,  etc.    

Smart  board  with  projector  in  center  of  room  connected  to  computer  and  Elmo  

Hanging  pocket  chart  with  supplies  Calendar  and  Math  Wall  

Teacher’s  computer  with  Elmo  

Whole  class  meeting  area  with  rug  

Trash  and  recycling  bins  

Teacher’s  desk  with  chair  

Phone  with  emergency  information  posted  on  wall.  

Storage  space  with  filing  

space  with  student  boxes  

Window

   Window

Guided  reading  and  workspace  with  chairs  

Guided  reading  and  teacher  supply  storage  area  

Art  table  with  supplies  and  chairs  

Bulletin  board  

Math,  Science  and  Art  

supplies  

1

Welcome to Mrs. Bouma’s First

Grade O.W.L’s (Outstanding Wonderful Learners)

Classroom Management Plan Libby Bouma

Curriculum and Pedagogy EDUC 222 Dr. Beisser

2

Table of Contents Classroom Organization pg. 3 Operations pg. 4 Record Keeping Procedures pg. 4 Student Binder pg. 5 Teacher Binder pg. 5 Substitute Binder pg. 5 Lesson Plan/Unit pg. 6 New Students to Classroom pg. 6 Cleanliness of desks, books, scrap game pg. 7 Student’s Artwork pg. 7 Desk Arrangements pg. 7 Disciplinary Policies and Professional Ethics pg. 8 Communication/Relationships with Students pg. 8 Tree-Mendous Behavior Chart pg. 8 Hoot Loot Token Economy pg. 10 Bullying pg. 10 Professionalism pg. 12 Classroom Routines and Procedures pg. 13 First Day pg. 13 Morning Routine pg. 14 Student Sharing pg. 14 Cheating pg. 15 Paper Trials pg. 15 Morning Procedure pg. 15 Attention Grabbers pg. 15 Bathroom/Water Fountain Procedures pg. 15 Done with work early activities pg. 16 Lining Up/Hallway Procedures pg. 16 Praising Students/Motivating Students pg. 17 Bucket Filler pg. 17 Classroom Jobs pg. 18 Differentiation Policy pg. 21 Gifted Students pg. 21 Challenged Learners pg. 21 Parents pg. 22

3

Classroom Organization Welcome to Mrs. Bouma’s First Grade O.W.L.’s classroom. My room theme will be a subtle forest theme with owls hiding in every nook and cranny. My room will be calming and inviting for learning. When you first walking into my first grade classroom, you will be greeted with a sign that not only welcomes you, but poses a question for the day. Students will be asked to think about the question and discuss at the morning meeting. Moving clockwise, you will see the technology area that has space for computers and iPads. Above this area will be a bulletin board where students’ work and artwork will be displayed. Next to this area will be the listening center complete with CD players and books for students to follow along. In the northwest corner is the bathroom. Along the north wall are individual student cubbies with storage space above. In front of the cubby wall are the learning centers. Moving from left to right is the writing center. This center contains various fun and exciting writing materials for students to choose from. Facing the writing center is the back of a bookshelf with an interactive word wall. On the other side of the word wall are shelves that hold various science and math books and manipulatives. To the right of that shelf is the math and science workspace. To the right of that center is an additional art table set up for art projects and for creative minds to work.

4

In the northeast corner is the reading nook. This nook has three bookshelves and various book bins that contain categorized books of different genres and reading levels. Seating options in the reading nook include beanbags, pillows, and comfy chairs. In the center of the reading nook is a small table where students can work on puzzles. It could also be used for extra writing space. Moving along the east wall there are a couple of windows with plants that the students will help care for. In between the windows is a shelving unit that holds materials needed for the guided reading table and any additional teaching supplies and assessment materials. There is a kidney bean-shaped table for teachers to work with small groups of students on various reading and writing activities and assessments. There is a bulletin board that will be utilized for various postings throughout the year. The southeast corner is the teacher’s corner. My desk and workspace will be there and contain my computer and Elmo equipment. Behind my desk there are shelves with filing space for assessments, lesson plans and any needed teaching materials. There is a box with each day of the week that contains lesson plans and any additional lesson materials needed. This also has a substitute teacher box where student information is provided and any other pertinent information for the classroom. Located on the south wall are individual student boxes where completed and graded work will be placed until given to student. The teacher’s desk will also have a phone with posted emergency information. There will also be a recycling and trash bin. Along the south wall you see the whole class meeting area rug. This area will be designated for us as a class to come together for morning meeting time, lesson instruction and modeling, read alouds and large group lessons. Students will sit on the rug facing the smart board with DVD and Elmo hook up capabilities. In front of the meeting rug will also be a hanging pocket chart that will be used for several lessons. There will be an adult chair for any instructor to sit while teaching. There will be bookshelves next to the meeting rug that will hold a CD player and various supplies needed for the smart board, pocket chart, small dry erase boards, and any other teaching supplies. To the left of the meeting rug is another small group round table that can be used for various activities and small group lessons. On the wall in front of the table will be the monthly calendar and math wall along with a daily weather tracker, student lunch information, birthday information, and daily schedule. Along the lower west wall is a sink and water fountain area along with additional storage. The students’ desks are located in the center of the room. Each configuration will contain six desks facing each other. Students will have supplies in their desks, but

5

will also have individual chair pockets where they can place their take home folders and any books they are currently reading. In the center of the desks will be two bookshelves facing opposite directions that contain additional reading books, pencil sharpeners, and a done box. On top of the bookshelves will be our classroom fish and hamster, which the students will share in responsibility of caring for.

Operations Record-keeping procedures It will be a personal goal of mine to have classroom organization from the physical looks of the classroom, right down to the record keeping and assessments of my students. First and foremost I will follow any district-implemented record keeping procedures. I will make it a priority to enter assessments and scores into the database as I am grading them, while realizing that this may not always be an option. If I do have records that did not get entered at the time of grading, then I will set aside a specials time on Fridays where I use that time to catch up on my grade and assessment tracking. In order to have records easily accessible and portable, I will devise a plan to keep separate binders for different areas of records. Student Binder: In this binder, each student will have his or her own tabbed section. Each section will include, but not limited to the following information:

• Student IEP goals, if applicable • Colored coded spreadsheet- these will contain various records • Running Records • Anecdotal notes • Math records • Writing samples • Various Assessments • Grids for clipboard cruising, anecdotal notes, formative assessments

Teacher Binder:

• Student Information Sheets- containing student’s names, picture, emergency contact information, how they get home from school, any medical information, communication with parents

• Curriculum Information- a copy of the school calendar including early outs, testing days, etc.

6

• Daily and Weekly list of class schedules • Grading book • Lesson Plans- daily and weekly lesson plans • Meeting Notes- a section where I can record what was discussed during

meetings with other same grade teachers or school wide meetings. • Training Notes- a section available to write down notes from trainings I

attend. • Monthly Planner- with to-do lists

While having a substitute teacher covering for you can be anxiety provoking for both the teacher and the students, having this binder available will help to reduce any concerns and anxiety. Substitute Binder: This binder is specifically for substitutes to use when they are subbing in my classroom. The binder will include the following sections:

• Get to know Mrs. Bouma’s Classroom- This will contain an introduction to my classroom with pictures and a small description of each center in the room. The letter will also thank the substitute teacher for being available and taking such good care of my students while I am gone.

• Emergency information- This section will include all necessary emergency phone numbers to the front office, nurse, and any other teachers my students work with throughout the day. This will also list the procedures for a tornado or fire drill and any other emergency evacuation procedures the school mandates.

• Classroom Expectations and Schedule- This section will outline student expectations and have been working on throughout the school year. The class schedule will be outlined along with procedures for bathroom breaks, sharpening pencils, etc.

• List of Jobs- This section will give a short description of the classroom jobs and when they should be completed.

• Student Information- Just as in the teacher’s binder, there will be a copy of the each students face sheet information that contains student’s names, picture, emergency contact information, how they get home from school, any medical information, and any behavioral issues they may have.

• Emergency Sub Plans-This section will be complete with ready to go activities and lesson plans only if I am unable to prepare lesson plans ahead of time. This will be clearly stated to use as a last resort.

• Filler Activities- This section will provide some ideas on what subs can do if they need some filler time. There will be directions to some games such as head’s up, 7-up, and other fun education games and activities.

7

Lesson/Unit Plans To keep track of my lesson plans and unit themes, I will have a collection of binders that contains all of the lesson plans previously used or thought to be used. Each lesson will clearly state the objectives and what standards they are meeting. Obtaining lessons will be from asking my coworkers for lessons that they have used in the past and researching online. I will constantly looking for new and creative ways to teach lessons with incorporating lessons I have found and making the necessary changes. New Students to classroom While I never had to experience going to a new school and meeting new people, I can only imagine how difficult and scary it must be for a child, especially if they are entering in the middle of the school year. When a new student comes into my classroom, I will be sure to greet them with a warm smile and welcome them into their new classroom. If notice is given ahead of time, I will discuss with my class about the new student arriving and make a welcome sign with everyone writing a special note on that sign. We will be sure to have the student’s desk ready with their nametag, and any essential items they would need for the first few days. I will also have a special stuffed owl that will be their special friend, Mr. Wiseman. Mr. Wiseman will be the all-knowing owl that can make the first day jitters dissipate by just giving a little hug. Along with having Mr. Wiseman, I will assign a student in the classroom to be that new student’s special buddy. This special buddy will guide the new student in some of the classroom rules and expectations as they come up. They will sit together in the classroom as well as at lunch. I will have had prior conversations with this special buddy to prepare them on the chances of a new student coming into the classroom. If notice isn’t given ahead of time, I will always be sure to have an extra desk set up ready to be pulled out and used so that the new student does not feel as if though it is an inconvenience for me to get things ready. I will make it a point to have a small meeting with the student at some point during the day to personally greet them further and provide them with the classroom procedures and our rules. I will let the new student know that there while there will be things to learn for our classroom, his/her classmates will be able to help and that they can follow along with the class if he/she isn’t sure what to do. It will be important to make that child feel welcome and after I assess their comfort level, I will arrange a classroom introduction activity that helps the new student feel welcome and get to know his/her classmates. Having information about who I am and my classroom will be important to provide to new parents. I will have packets made up with an introduction to my classroom, including a picture of myself. This packet will also contain basic school information

8

and any necessary paperwork. This packet will be sent home with the new student, as well as a follow-up phone call inviting the parents to meet me and see their child’s learning environment as well as giving them an opportunity to ask any questions. Cleanliness of desks, books, scrap game From the first day of school, my students will understand the importance and respect of keeping our classroom clean and in order. Each student will be allowed to keep minimal items in their desks or chair pockets. Every two weeks we will take a few minutes at a designated time to clean up our desks

and clear out any clutter. This time will be during Owl Outlet hours while they are waiting for their turn. To get the students motivated and engaged in helping pick up their work space and classroom, I will utilize the scrap game. The students will be told that I have picked out a special item that is on the floor. The student who picks up that item will receive hoot loot for their bank. To eliminate the same

student from receiving this prize, I will not specifically choose an item, but be conscientious of students who are actively helping. This ensures that I randomize the winner each time. Student’s Artwork Displaying my student’s artwork will be a priority. Not only is it a cheap way to decorate a classroom, but also a great way to boost a student’s self-esteem. When a student is able to see their work on bulletin boards and walls, they have a sense of accomplishment and pride. I will have a designated bulletin board that is specifically for student’s artwork. This bulletin board will be switched out with every artwork or project that can be displayed. My goal would be once ever two weeks, but realistically at least once a month. If permissible, student’s artwork will be displayed in the hallway outside of our classroom. Each student will have a laminated piece of construction paper that is sticky tacked to the wall and with a clothespin at the top. When displaying the student work, I would simply need to clip the work with the clothespin. This eliminates the need for tape and possibly damaging a student’s work. It is also a good way for a teacher to keep the talkative students separated from one another and the ones who need extra attention closer to the teacher’s area.

9

Desk Arrangement Strategically arranging student’s desks serves many functions. First this allows higher and lower achieving students to sit next to one another. Grouped seating arrangements also increase social interactions among students who may not normally speak to one another. This is also an easier way to facilitate collaborative learning as the groups are already established. Disciplinary Policies and Professional Ethics

Communication/Relationships with Students Building a healthy, positive, and personal relationship with all of my students will be a personal goal of mine. I believe it is imperative to build personal connections with every student, especially the ones who are the most difficult to like. Getting to know each and every one of my students for who they are not just academically, but as a child will help me understand where they come from and what strengths and needs they have. Making these personal connections will make my students feel safe and included in our classroom environment. These personal connections can be as simple as addressing them by their name, commenting on a student’s new outfit or haircut or remembering

something they shared doing the previous weekend. On the first day of school we will have icebreaker activities where we as a class can learn more about one another, as well as allowing me to do some informal assessments. I will share who I am with my students and encourage any and all questions. During this time I will share pictures and even a video of things dear and near to me such as my two cats and husband. I will have a designated bulletin board that showcases things about me with more pictures including ones of me when I was there age. This board will soon turn into a classroom board where each student will have something they can share about themselves. I will take a picture of each student on the first day of school and throughout the year. With the first picture, I will have an activity where they draw a picture and write something they want their classmates to know about them My goal is for each student to feel comfortable and safe with me knowing that they can come to me for anything

10

because I truly care about them. I want to be their fan, support, and advocate as they grow in my classroom.

Tree-Mendous Behavior Chart1

Each student will have a designated clothespin with his or her name written on it. At the beginning of each day the clothespin will start at the top of the chart. Throughout the day students will be responsible for managing their behaviors. If they are unable to follow the classroom expectations, or have behavioral issues, they will be asked to move their clip down to the next tier. “Owl” Standing- This is the to tier in the tree-mendous tree that earns students praise for exceptional behavior of having positive attitude and going above and beyond expectations. Ready to Learn- Every day student’s will start off on this perch demonstrating they are coming into school ready to learn. They will have the opportunity to move up the tree to the “Owl”-Standing perch or down if they have concerning behaviors. Warning- If students are struggling with following classroom expectations they will be asked to move their clothespin down with just a warning. Think About it- If students have to move their clip to this perch, students will be required to sit in the watching chair or at their desk (if we are in carpet time) to take a break to watch their friends use appropriate classroom behavior with listening while being on task. Classroom Room time out/Notification to Parents- When students move their clothespins to this perch, they will be sent to a partner classroom where they will be expected to fill out an accountability report.

11

Accountability Report

Name: ___________________ Date: __________

I made the decision to: __________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ Next time I will: ______________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Any work I missed, my plan to get it done_____________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Parent Signature: ______________________________________________

Students may return to the classroom when they have completed this accountability report and any work they needed to complete. At the end of the day or during some free teacher time, I will read over the report. If I believe it to be an accurate account, I will have the student place it in their backpack with the expectation that their parent or caretaker will sign the form. If the sheet is not filled out or does not have the accurate information, the teacher will discuss the student’s choices with them and then let the student know that they will need to have their parent/caretaker sign the worksheet with a note that I have written attached. Office referral– At all costs this level on the perch will be avoided. I do not want to send the principal or the office the message that I have been unable to manage my classroom, nor show my student that I cannot manage my classroom. If the

12

student needs to go to the office, they will be given their reflection worksheet to show to the office/principal to show that I have worked with the student on managing their behaviors. ***I will make it a point to inform my principal of any major issues I am having in my classroom. I do not want my principal to ever feel off guard for any reason and to be up to date on any behavioral problems I am seeing in my classroom. Bullying There will be absolutely no tolerance for any type of bullying in my classroom. Any form of verbal, physical, or emotional abuse will immediately be addressed with that student. I will be well informed on my school’s policies and what action steps need to be taken. My principal and parents will immediately be informed of any incidents of bullying. If this becomes an ongoing situation between a specific student in my classroom, I will take the necessary measures to keep other students safe and to ensure that the bully does not have any opportunity to engage in this behavior.

Hoot Loot-Classroom Economy

Hoot Loot

“Hoot Hoot Hooray!” This idea came from Mrs. Heugel’s token economy and Michele Yanong’s 2Hoot Loot money

management system. In my O.W.L. classroom, the “Hoot Loot” will serve as a classroom economy system. Hoot Loot will consist of pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters with progression to dollar bills as students grow in their money and math skills throughout the year. Each student will be given a money pouch at the beginning of the school year and responsible for keeping track of their money. When the owl outlet opens, students will have to show their Hoot Loot reports that show any fees/fines and credits.

Earning Hoot Loot

• Helping a peer when not prompted $0.02 • Using good manners $0.02 • Following prompts the first time $0.02 • Keeping a clean desk $0.03

13

• Following the hallway procedure $0.03 • Having an ‘Owl-standing” day $0.05 • Filling a peers bucket $0.05

Extra loot can be earned at the decision of your teacher

Fees and Fines:

• Name missing on paper $0.01 • Rental of a school supply $0.02 • Messy desk area $0.03 • Arguing $0.03 • Using the restroom shortly after restroom break $0.03 • Playground issues $0.03 • Bucket dipper $0.03 • Moving your clip $0.03 • Inappropriate language $0.04 • Cheating $0.05 • Destruction of property $0.05 • Replacement of a folder $0.05

Other Fees and Fines Are the Decision of Your Teacher

Owl Outlet Twice a month the owl outlet will be open for business. At this time, students will have the opportunity to purchase items with their hoot loot. Students may also save their loot for larger purchases.

• Chose an item from the outlet store Prices vary • 10 minutes of drawing/reading time $0.05 • Skip a homework assignment $0.07 • Chew gum for one class period $0.07 • Extra iPad/computer time $0.10 • Sit with a friend $0.15 • Lunch with Mrs. Bouma $1.00

14

Hoot Loot Report Name: _________________________________ Date: _________________ This week I earned _________________________ hoot loot. This week I had a debit of ________________________________ following hoot loot for my classroom behaviors.

Professionalism Working together and being in collaboration with others is a huge part of being a teacher. Not only are you collaborating with your students on a daily basis, but also the other teachers in the building including special education teachers, specialist, counselors, principals, lunch room workers, and office staff. Showing a high degree of professional at all times will be imperative to my relationship with other teachers and administrators in the community. There is no question that at some point during the school year I will find myself in a conversation where a colleague is discussing disrespectful and negative comments towards another staff, student or policy. At this point it will be imperative to keep myself out of these types of conversations. I may need to come up with an excuse to politely excuse myself from the conversation, but if not possible, I may need to endure the negativity and be only a listener with no commentary. If a colleague asks me for my advice or support, I will respectfully let them know that I am choosing not to engage in anyone’s business but my own. This will certainly be difficult and restraint will be needed, but in order to be a positive teacher and role model, it must be done. If I find myself in a situation where I do not agree with the principal’s leadership views, I would decide if there is an appropriate time to share my feelings or best to keep to myself. If a decision is made on my part to speak about these issues, I will take them up directly with the principal. Along with conducting myself with the utmost professionalism in regards to my work ethics, dressing appropriately and professionally will aid in my ability to model success. Remembering that I am a walking, talking advertisement for what I believe and teach as an educator will have a lasting effect on my students. Showing my students that I care and volute how I dress and act will affect their respect for me as their teacher.

15

Classroom Routines & Procedures

3 First Day To help introduce myself to parents and students, prior to the school year officially beginning, I will send out a simple letter with a welcoming message to my new students and their parents. This letter will contain an invitation for my new students and their parent to join me for an open house of their classroom and school. Included in this letter will be a list of classroom supplies and an invitation for parents to speak with me about volunteer opportunities throughout the school year. The open house will be an opportunity for parents and students to take a look at their classroom, locate their cubbies and desk, as well as an opportunity for me to get to know each student, their parent and answer any questions they may have. Along with an open house, I will ask parents to schedule a time to meet with me within the first week of school for a mini conference. This will be an additional time where I am able to get to know the parents of my students and hear from them information on their child. I want my parents to know that they can contact me with any issues or concerns they may have throughout the school year and provide the best ways for them to contact me. Just as a teacher is nervous to start the new school year, students are twice as nervous. To help eliminate some of those nerves Wong (2009) outlines in his book how to conduct the first day of school and I believe that he does it well. Wong emphasizes having a celebration of their first day of school to make them feel

16

welcome. Standing at the door greeting each students and parents with a bright smile and warm welcome will help calm nerves from the beginning. Having each student’s name on the front door on owl magnets will not only be a welcoming tool, but also utilized when they are choosing their lunches and taking attendance. A welcome sign that has my name, and first grade classroom will be clearly posted on the door. On the white board will again be my name, a welcome to first grade sign, an inspirational classroom quote and directions to begin the first activity of the school year. In order for effective classroom management to take place, it must start on the first day of school. The first day of teaching sets the tone for how the rest of the school year will go. As Wong states in his book, “Teach, Rehearse and Reinforce” the classroom expectations will be key. My classroom will be prepared with all of the necessary materials needed for not only myself, but also for my students. The student’s desks will clearly have their nametags on each desk so they can easily find their seats. There will be a simple morning activity that doubles as an informal assessment for students to begin working on while the students are coming in. After all of my students have arrived, we will gather together on the carpet for morning message time. I will tell them my name, remind them that they are in the first grade classroom and tell them a little about myself. I will explain that I am so happy to have them in our classroom and will explain that one of the days activities later in the day will an opportunity for them to share more about themselves with their classmates. At this point I will read First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg.4 This book does a wonderful job of sharing with students that it is normal and okay to feel the jitters when going to school on the first day of the year and how we can all work together to make it an fun place to be. The first day will be a mixture of activities and learning the classroom expectations, rules, and procedures. Playing the name game will help myself and students learn each other’s names on the first day. To build a sense of community and cohesion within our classroom, working together as a class to create three main rules together will be a great team building activity. At the end of the classroom discussion and creation of the rules, each student will be required to sign the rule poster where it will be hung for all to see. Morning Routine

1. Enter classroom and move magnetic owl from door and place under hot lunch or cold lunch.

2. Hang up coat, backpack and grab any needed paperwork, homework folders, etc.

3. Read the morning message on the board and follow directions. This could include a word activity, math activity, etc. or independent reading.

17

4. Morning Meeting. This time will happen after the morning message activity. All students will come and sit on the carpet where we go over the calendar, temperature, and math board. I will share with them the schedule for the day and any special announcements. This is also a wonderful opportunity to have a read aloud to start the day.

Student sharing At the beginning of the school year, students will be asked to provide items on their school supply list and add them to classroom bins that will be utilized by the entire class. Each grouping of desks will have a shared bin in the center that contain pencils, crayons and glue sticks. These will be the only shared items that students may utilize. When students are working with scissors, markers, or other special items, they will each be provided with these items and informed if they are allowed to share the items or each have one of their own. To eliminate any possible issues or arguments among classmates, my policy will be that students may not share any other items that are not from the classroom closet. Students will not be allowed to bring special items to be used in the classroom unless they are specifically informed that they may do so. Cheating While I hope this never becomes a problem, it is always best to plan for everything. Cheating will not be tolerated in my classroom. Any cheating that occurs will immediately result in a fine from the Hoot Loot economy, a conversation with that student, as well as a phone call to parents. I believe that students must understand the importance of respecting one another including their hard work. Paper Trails Students will be introduced to and practice the procedure for turning in homework folders and any assignments done in class. There will be a designated turn-in bin located on my desk. The expectation will be that students turn in their folders as soon as they enter the classroom after they have moved their owl magnets to record what they are having for lunch that day. During class time, any graphic organizers or papers being used in class will also be turned in to this bin. Students will have a designated area for their paper cubbies. These cubbies will hold any paperwork that is ready to be sent home. The classroom secretary will be responsible for helping put student papers in the correct cubbies. Students will be asked to grab any papers to be placed in their homework folders prior to taking home for the week.

18

Attention Grabbers Being able to gain the attention of your students is part of classroom management. I will employ a couple of different techniques to grab my student’s attention when they are busy working. The first technique will be for students to know that when I say “Tootsie Pop”, they will respond with “Lollipop” and a clap. In other instances another way to grab my students attention will be to say, “If you can hear me clap once. If you can hear me clap twice. If you can hear me touch your nose.” The idea behind this attention grabber is that students will hear the clapping and by the third one they will all have stopped what they are doing and be touching their noses. Another fun way to grab students attention when it may be time to transition to the next center or activity is to use a rain stick that I turn upside down to let the rain sound fall. Bathroom/Water Fountain Procedures Students in my classroom will learn and know the procedure for going to the bathroom and getting drinks from the water fountain. Students will be allowed to use the restroom during lunch/recess and any designated time during the day. There will be a girls and a boys bathroom pass. These passes will be bottles of hand sanitizer with a blue and pink colored ribbon around the pump. These passes will be used on an emergency basis. The passes will be in the Owl’s Nest area by the front door. Students will understand this procedure through demonstration and ongoing practice. If students need to use the pass, they do not need to ask permission, but simply take the pass, place it on their desk and then go to the restroom. There will be certain times during the day during direct instruction lesson time when they will not be able to use the passes. Students will be told that bathroom breaks should not take any longer than 5 minutes of time. If students need to use the restroom at any time outside of the designated areas, they will owe a fine. Students will have the opportunity to earn money throughout the day, which will be explained later. Not only will this help students make the connection of losing money for this, but also helping them with the concept of money and that things cost money. Done Early Activities Planning for students who get their work done ahead of time will be important. Students in my classroom will be introduced to the “Early Finishers” Popsicle sticks. I will have two jars, one before lunch and one for after lunch. The two jars will be separated into our content areas. For example if we have our main literacy block in the morning, the activities on the Popsicle sticks will be activities related to

19

literacy. In the afternoon activities would be related to math, science, and social studies. Each activity will be written on the Popsicle stick, but also have a small picture of an example on the back for those who struggle with reading. Field Trips Field trips are a great way to show students primary documents and allow them to experience the world outside of their classroom. When planning a field trip, all school policy and procedures will be followed. All field trips will be school related and connect to a lesson or theme we are learning in school. Prior to the field trip, a letter home to parents explaining the field trip, asking for a signature for permission and volunteers to attend will be sent home. Prior to the first field trip of the year, I will teach a lesson on how to conduct ourselves when on a field trip. When possible, I will locate a book that describes a similar field trip. I will prepare for the field trip by learning about what the field trip will look like and what the main focus of the trip will be. I will have all of the necessary equipment, first aid kids, and emergency contact information with me on the trip. Any activities, lessons, or discussions planning to take place will be pre-planned and arranged with the field trip location. Upon returning from the field trip it will be important to engage students in a meaningful conversation, lessons, thank you letters, and reflections to tie their field trip in to what they are learning in school.

Lining Up and Hallway Procedure When it comes time to line up for going to specials, lunch, and daily dismissal, each student will learn that they will be dismissed in groups according to their desk or carpet grouping. My students will learn this through rehearsing the procedure and being reinforced for doing it correctly. I will always have two lines, divided either by boy/girl or table groupings. The idea behind having two smaller lines is so that I can hear and see things that are happening in line as opposed to having a longer line where I may not be able to see everything towards the end of the line. This procedure will be the same when students are returning to the classroom from a different area in the school.

20

Praising/Motivating Students The simplest way to praise, motivate, and let students know I care about them, is through my smile. My smile conveys a positive message and makes others feel good. Keeping students motivated throughout the day and letting them know how valued they are as a student and person will be key in success in school. Praising student’s work, not a general praise will show students that I am invested in the work they are doing and helps them understand what they are doing well. Mr. Wong talks about “Praise the Deed, Encourage the Student”. I appreciate this motto and will adapt it to my classroom. Not only will I praise student’s individually through verbal affirmations, but also on an individual level when they have completed and turned in homework or received a high score on an assessment. This will be done through simple cards or stickers with sayings such as: “Hoot, Hoot, Hooray!” “Look Whooo did a fantastic job!” “Owl-star” “Owl-standing” Sending “owl grams” home to parents is also another way to praise students for their hard work and efforts in the classroom. Students enjoy receiving praise, and when they get to share that praise with their parents they are allowing a connection to be made between home and school. Bucket Filler

At the beginning of the school year, I will read Dr. Donald O’Clifton’s book Have You Filled A Bucket Today? (A Guide to Daily Happiness For Kids). This book shares the story that we all have an invisible that contains our feelings. When our bucket is full, we feel fabulous. When our bucket is empty, we feel empty and sad. On the other hand, a bucket dipper says or does mean things to hurt someone’s feelings. They are also emptying their own bucket. I will provide my students will lessons and activities to teach them the concept that when we say or do something nice for someone, we are filling their bucket while filling their own bucket. Throughout the day I will provide students

with hoot loot for catching them filling another students bucket. There will also be opportunities throughout the year to continue teaching this lesson and have written bucket filler activities for people outside of our classroom.

21

Classroom Jobs

To build student responsibility and their understanding of what it takes to keep our classroom clean and organized, students will be given jobs each week. To display these jobs, a list of student names will be listed and pinned up at the Owl’s Nest bulletin board. The names will be listed in alphabetical order. Each week I will place the jobs next to a student’s name where they will keep this job for that week. At the end of each week, I will move the jobs down two places so that all students will have a chance to engage in a classroom job. A description of each job provided below.

Secretary- The secretary will be responsible for taking any notes to the office, and sorting any papers requested by the teacher.

Pencil Sharpener- The pencil sharpener will be responsible for sharpening pencils in the unsharpened basket at the end of each day or first thing when they arrive in the morning.

Line Leader- The line leader will be lead the class when walking to places outside of the classroom.

22

Caboose/Door Holder- This door holder will be the caboose of the line where the student holds the door open for everyone leaving the classroom or when going into a new classroom.

Calendar Keeper- This job will require the student to change the date during our calendar time. To integrate math into this job, the student will have to subtract how many days are left until the next month and write that number on the board.

Light manager- The light manager will be sure to turn on and off the lights as we are coming and going from our classroom.

Paper Passer- This job will be utilized when I need papers passed to students or need papers placed in their cubbies.

Lunch and attendance counter- Each morning the lunch and attendance counter will make sure that everyone has moved over their owl magnet and placed it under what lunch option they want and then record anyone who is gone that day.

23

Board Cleaner/Table Washer- This job will require students to wipe anything off the board that I request as well as wipe down any tables needed.

Librarian- The librarian makes sure our classroom books are in order as well as returns any books to the library.

Center Inspector- This center inspector will make sure all centers are tidy after we have used them during center time.

Substitute – The substitute will fill in for anyone who is absent that day.

24

Forrest Ranger- The forest ranger will be responsible for feeding the fish and any other animals in our classroom.

Gardner- The gardener will water and clean up the plants in our classroom twice a week.

Differentiation Policy 5

Recognizing that all students are unique and have different needs and knowing what individual students needs is an integral part of helping them grow in their successes and education. Setting positive expectations for my students helps me help my students reach high standards. My expectations for my students will greatly influence their successes in and outside of my class. Gifted Students Gifted and higher learning students need independence, extensions, and open-ended tasks in lessons so that they do not grow bored with concepts they already understand. It will be important to know those gifted and higher learning students in my class in order to support them in their academics and emotional needs. Listening and taking the time to explore their ideas with them will be essential. Providing open-ended tasks and assignments paired with choices in what projects they work on and allows the gifted students to work at their own pace, but also allows creativity to be integrated. Knowing that although they are gifted and above their peers in the classroom, I will be aware of not always placing them in a position to help others or paired with a lower lever student as I want to foster their education to scaffold them in higher level thinking.

25

Challenged Learners Having challenged learners in the classroom needs to be taken very seriously and looked at with an opportunity to help a student grow further in my classroom. Knowing that some students may need more time when completing test and assessment and/or a quieter area with less distractions will be important. Providing concrete examples, manipulatives, and plenty of repetition will help challenged students grasp concepts. Having directions not only written but also stated out loud will help all students understand the lesson expectations. If a student has an IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) for behavioral or academic goals, it will be imperative that I work with any other teachers and professional who may be working with this student. It is essential that are all on the same page to provide the most consistent messages and lessons to our students.

Parents

Having regular and consistent communication with parents will not only help them stay informed of what their child is doing in the classroom, but will also help with me stay aware of any issues that may be going on at home. My first initial contact will be when the welcome letters are sent out to parents prior to the school year beginning. The beginning of the school year open house will be an excellent way for students to see their room prior to the first day of school as well as their parents being able to see where their child will be spending their time at school. At our mini conferences at the beginning of the year, I will ask parents the best way to contact them and provide them the information on the best way to contact me. I will relay to all of my parents that I value their opinions and want to know as much as I can about their child. Establishing this positive rapport will set up the school year for positive communication. Another way to communicate with my parents will be to have a teacher blog where I provide weekly updates on classroom lessons, activities, and any other pertinent information. This blog will share the week’s homework assignments and their due dates. It will also provide a classroom and school schedule so that parents know what their children are doing throughout the day. With parents’ permission, photographs and students artwork will be shown for all to see. I will also have an area with links to various educational websites and apps that parents can utilize. Parent conferences will be a time of getting to know parents better and sharing their students’ successes with them. Student’s information that I have collected throughout the semester such as tests, assessments, and assignments will be shared

26

with parents. I will also keep writing assignments and artwork to share with parents in chronological order so that parents can see their child’s progress. Conferences will be a time to share successes, strengths, and any needs and concerns. Parents will be encouraged to have open discussions with me on anything they want to share and asking any questions. There is no question that being a teacher is hard work. It places you in a position to be a positive role model and a leader for your students. To be an effective and successful teacher, it is imperative that I believe that every child that walks into my classroom wants to grow and will be successful. Knowing that in order for my students to experience success, I need to be successful in what I am doing to prepare my students. With this classroom management plan, I am setting my classroom up to allow little wasted time, confusion, or disruption. I am equipped with plans and procedures for every aspect of my classroom so that I am prepared every single Day. I can allow a fun, creative, and pleasant classroom where I do not have to worry about my student’s behaviors and can focus on their learning.

Resources 1 http://firstgradeowls.blogspot.com/ 2 http://www.multiagemoments.blogspot.com/ 3 http://teachingfourth.blogspot.com/ 4 First Day Jitters (2000) by Julie Danneber. Waterown, MA: Charlesbridge 5 Packet provided by Dr. Beisser in class Wong, Harry K., and Rosemary T. Wong. The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher. Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, 2009. Print.