Classroom Management
In my classroom, the expectations for student behavior are very clear. From the beginning of the year, I establish routines and rules for students to follow. Students know what is expected of them in terms of procedures and behavior, and they also know what the consequences will be if they do not follow the guidelines.
Procedures:
Several routines and procedures are established in order to help the classroom run smoothly and to create a sense of community. These include the following:
Procedures:
Several routines and procedures are established in order to help the classroom run smoothly and to create a sense of community. These include the following:
- Classroom Jobs: each student is assigned a job in the classroom (examples: secretary, paper passers, lunchroom menus).
- Table Captains: each table of four students is assigned a table captain that is responsible for gathering materials for their table, putting the materials away, etc.
- Walking in the Hallway: students know that they are to walk quietly in the halls and stop at any corners or doorways to wait for permission for the teacher to proceed. “Mystery Walkers” are chosen each day and, if they show expected behavior in the hallway, they receive a prize at the end of the day.
Card System:
For behavior management, a Green-Yellow-Red-Blue card system is used. Each day, every student begins the day with their card on “green.” Green means positive behavior, following directions, etc. If a student is disruptive, does not follow directions, etc. they may be asked to move their card to “yellow.” Yellow is a warning and gives them a chance to turn their behavior around before receiving a consequence. If a student who is on yellow continues to make bad choices, they will be moved to “red.”
If a student is moved to red, they are required to complete a “Think Sheet” during recess and their parents are required to sign the sheet and send it back to school. Finally, for extreme behavior disturbances, if students are moved past “red” to “blue” the student is required to call their parents and report their behavior. Together, the teacher and parents will decide on a plan of action.
For behavior management, a Green-Yellow-Red-Blue card system is used. Each day, every student begins the day with their card on “green.” Green means positive behavior, following directions, etc. If a student is disruptive, does not follow directions, etc. they may be asked to move their card to “yellow.” Yellow is a warning and gives them a chance to turn their behavior around before receiving a consequence. If a student who is on yellow continues to make bad choices, they will be moved to “red.”
If a student is moved to red, they are required to complete a “Think Sheet” during recess and their parents are required to sign the sheet and send it back to school. Finally, for extreme behavior disturbances, if students are moved past “red” to “blue” the student is required to call their parents and report their behavior. Together, the teacher and parents will decide on a plan of action.
Terrific Transitions
Transitions in my classroom are very important. Whether we are transitioning between subjects, moving from the classroom to a special, or entering/leaving the classroom for the day, I believe that the transition should be smooth and efficient. In order to encourage this, I have created a “Terrific Transitions” classroom management plan. Each table has the opportunity to earn table points during each transition.
Actions that would earn table points include quietly pushing in chairs, not talking to other students, gathering necessary materials quickly, unpacking/packing backpacks, lining up in the correct spot, etc. In addition to earning table points, tables can lose table points if they show a pattern of poorly executed transitions. At the end of the week, the table with the most points receives a prize. In order to promote whole classroom teamwork, I also gave the opportunity for the class to earn a Friday afternoon dance party at the very end of the day if the tables earned a combined total of 30 points or more for the week!
Transitions in my classroom are very important. Whether we are transitioning between subjects, moving from the classroom to a special, or entering/leaving the classroom for the day, I believe that the transition should be smooth and efficient. In order to encourage this, I have created a “Terrific Transitions” classroom management plan. Each table has the opportunity to earn table points during each transition.
Actions that would earn table points include quietly pushing in chairs, not talking to other students, gathering necessary materials quickly, unpacking/packing backpacks, lining up in the correct spot, etc. In addition to earning table points, tables can lose table points if they show a pattern of poorly executed transitions. At the end of the week, the table with the most points receives a prize. In order to promote whole classroom teamwork, I also gave the opportunity for the class to earn a Friday afternoon dance party at the very end of the day if the tables earned a combined total of 30 points or more for the week!
Getting Students’ Attention:
From the beginning of the year, students learn different signals from the teacher that are used to quiet the class and focus the attention on me. A variety of signals are used, which include the following:
From the beginning of the year, students learn different signals from the teacher that are used to quiet the class and focus the attention on me. A variety of signals are used, which include the following:
- “Bum-ba-da-bum-bum” (students respond with “bum-bum”)
- Give Me 5
- Wind Chimes
- “Hands on Your Heads and Eyes on Me”
- Silent Fox (students make a hand signal called “Silent Fox” that signals to their classmates it’s time to be quiet)
- “1-2-3, Eyes on Me” (students respond with “1-2, Eyes on You”)