Classroom Management: Classroom Management A list of crazy ideas presented by Landon Pollard EDSE 500 – Professor Ann Monroe


Definition:: Definition: Classroom management is the boundaries, parameters, and vessels used in the classroom that attempt to modify behavior so that learning for all students can occur in the safest, most productive environment.


Philosophy: Philosophy My personal philosophy of discipline adheres to beliefs that cold rigidity and martial-like attitudes distance the teacher and the student, which is one of the worst possible outcomes in a classroom environment.


Philosophy (continued): Philosophy (continued) However, one worse possible outcome is a complete lack of control on the teacher’s or students’ behalf. Therefore, I believe in swift, just consequences for behavior while still allowing room for personal, intimate relationships between teacher and student.


Philosophy (continued): Philosophy (continued) I believe that preemptive detachment allows for eventual development. In other words, a swift disciplinarian at first will be better able to facilitate discussion, group work, and overall better learning at a later point in time.


Classroom Management Philosophy (revised): Classroom Management Philosophy (revised) Surprisingly, all of this still very accurately reflects my philosophy. The teacher must gain students’ respect and trust. Basically, the teacher can’t be a jerk. That being said, better to err on the side of caution than to hope for respect when all you display is compassion and love.


Positive Learning Environment: Positive Learning Environment I believe a positive learning environment is one that fosters security, comfortableness, trust, and expectations in the ability of the students and the teacher. I believe the teacher must set the tone for this environment from the beginning.


Positive Learning Environment (revised): Positive Learning Environment (revised) Still true, but much easier to say than do. It’s hard to make sure ALL students are comfortable when they all have such different needs.


Rules: Rules Be respectful of all people (including yourself) and property in this classroom. Follow all directions the FIRST time. Be in YOUR personal seat, ready to start class when the tardy bell rings. Participate!


Rules (revised): Rules (revised) Although I really like these rules, I didn’t always make sure students adhered to them. I really let the last two slack off towards the end of the year. Not sure I ever really enforced the participation rule.


Consequences (Personal): Consequences (Personal) Verbal Warning Writing Assignment (copying sentences) Detention Call Home Office referral Severe clause: Any of these consequences can be enforced in any order at the teacher’s discretion.


Consequences (Personal) (revised): Consequences (Personal) (revised) I still use all of these to an extent, just not in that particular order. Really got away from giving verbal warnings to consistently disruptive students. I think had I received more support from administration and used the phone call home more consistently, this would have been a pretty effective list. Writing assignments only work to an extent.


A Word On Writing As Consequence: A Word On Writing As Consequence As an English teacher, I feel reading and writing are the two most important skills my students can possess, and I want them to view writing as pleasurable, not as a punishment. However, I believe that an author should have the opportunity to infuse his or her creativity into a personal piece. Copying sentences several times strips the writer of his or her opportunity (privilege) for creativity. A student will not write an essay or narrative for me as punishment.


A Word on Writing Assignment (revised): A Word on Writing Assignment (revised) This was crap. I was trying to be self-indulgent. I don’t care whether a writing assignment turns them off or on to writing as long as it gets them to shut up.


Consequences (Class): Consequences (Class) Pop quiz Temporary elimination of class rewards Any suggestions?


Consequences (Class) (revised): Consequences (Class) (revised) I never really did class rewards, so I couldn’t take them away. Basically, I yelled at the class and lectured them. It was pretty effective. I did the occasional pop quiz/pop essay but it really backfired one time, so I shied away from that.


Rewards (Personal): Rewards (Personal) Praise Student of the week Points on quiz/test Homework pass Extra individual reading time


Rewards (Personal) (revised): Rewards (Personal) (revised) Never did student of the week, stopped giving homework, and school mandated silent reading time, so that left me with points on quiz (which I only used as rewards for reviewing) and praise (which I didn’t do enough).


Rewards (Class): Rewards (Class) Praise Class of the month Party/Movie Extra silent reading time


Rewards (Class) (Revised): Rewards (Class) (Revised) Never did class of the month. I did a movie occasionally, but it was worked into the curriculum, not so much as a reward. I did praise them, but that only got me so far.


Procedures: Procedures Students will be allowed 2 emergency bathroom passes per semester. After these passes are exhausted, students will not be allowed to go to the bathroom during my class. Any student who misbehaves while in the bathroom forfeits his or her remaining passes.


Procedures (Revised): Procedures (Revised) What the hell was I thinking. This is impossible, especially after lunch, with multiple pregnant students and girls with “female problems.” I just let them go when they wanted as long as it wasn’t 20/20, but it created a lot of problems.


Procedures (continued): Procedures (continued) Students that wish to sharpen their pencils must raise their pencil in the air and wait to be recognized by the teacher. When the teacher gives the okay (verbal or nodding of head), the student may sharpen his or her pencil and return to the seat.


Procedures (continued): Procedures (continued) When students come into class, they will be expected to turn in any forms/sheets/homework that is due in the corresponding homework basket for that block. Late homework (after I collect it from the basket) will be penalized at my discretion.


Procedures (continued) (revised): Procedures (continued) (revised) I changed this because I wanted students in their seats and listening to me. It allowed them a little extra time to finish it, but I just started collecting assignment myself.


Procedures (continued): Procedures (continued) When the bell rings, students will remain in their seats. Students will follow any directions the teacher gives regarding completing work, and the teacher will dismiss the class when he decides to.


Procedures (continued) (revised): Procedures (continued) (revised) I held to this for the most part, but I started stopping 2 minutes early to clean up the room and organize, so they pretty much were always dismissed at the bell.


Procedures (continued): Procedures (continued) When students come into the classroom (after turning in homework), they will be expected to retrieve their personal reading material from the class library or their book bag and begin silently reading. No talking or work on the desk except the book/magazine will be allowed.


Procedures (continued) (revised): Procedures (continued) (revised) I changed this because I had students correct grammar sentences on the board. I liked the new policy for bellringers.


Parental involvement: Parental involvement Syllabi will be sent home with each student and must be returned with a parent/guardian signature. All grades will be posted online and both students and parents will be encouraged to check them weekly.


Parental Involvement (cont.): Parental Involvement (cont.) Teacher/Parent conferences will be encouraged Phone calls home (positive and negative) will be given at regular intervals


Parental Involvement (cont.) (revised): Parental Involvement (cont.) (revised) I did a good job of contacting parents second semester, but by then, for many students, it was too late. I had too many failures and discipline problems to contact parents for positive behavior.