Jamila’s Classroom Management Plan - Revisited: Jamila’s Classroom Management Plan - Revisited Jamila K. Alexander University of Mississippi June 11, 2007


Definition of Classroom Management: Definition of Classroom Management Fostering a positive learning environment by providing effective and engaging instruction on a daily basis; expecting and demanding each student’s best efforts from the first day of school to the last day of school; and consistently enforcing discipline policy and procedures.


Jamila’s Philosophy of Classroom Management: Jamila’s Philosophy of Classroom Management Children often give as much effort as adults expect them to give, and do as much wrong as adults allow them to do. Therefore, a teacher’s high expectations for excellence and low tolerance for misbehavior and laziness are crucial to effective classroom management.


Jamila’s Philosophy of Classroom Management (Ctd.): Jamila’s Philosophy of Classroom Management (Ctd.) Lanier High School New day, new way – restore the legacy “Not a Moment to Lose!” Because there’s not a moment to lose, learning must be taking place every minute of classroom time If students are working and learning, there’s no time for misbehavior


Definition of a Positive Learning Environment: Definition of a Positive Learning Environment Learning is taking place from bell to bell; Students feel safe and comfortable; The teacher is well-prepared and efficient; The classroom is free from distractions; and The students want to learn.*** A positive learning environment is one in which:


Rules, Consequences,& Rewards: Rules, Consequences, & Rewards


Rules: Rules Be respectful to yourself, the teacher, and your classmates at all times. Be in your desk and ready to learn before the tardy bell rings. Remain seated unless given permission to stand. Remain silent unless given permission to speak. Give 100% effort everyday.


Consequences: Consequences Warning Written reprimand to be signed by student and parent/guardian Early morning detention and phone call to parent/guardian Office referral


Modified Consequences: Modified Consequences Warning Behavior improvement plan to be signed by student and parent/guardian Early morning detention OR writing assignment Office referral ** 2 BIPs in one week = detention


Rewards in My Class: Rewards in My Class Must be Free AND Fast!!!!!!


Little Rewards that Mean a Lot: Little Rewards that Mean a Lot In-class verbal praise Student-teacher conferences to congratulate student’s efforts and to provide encouragement*** Positive notes to parents*** Positive phone calls to parents


Weekly Ticket Drawings for Prizes: Weekly Ticket Drawings for Prizes Students receiving no warnings for the week will place three tickets in the jar. Students receiving one warning will place one ticket in the jar. Students receiving more than one warning per week are disqualified. Prizes will include homework passes, bathroom passes, Teacher Time (ten-minute opportunity to “be the teacher”), and bonus points on tests, homework, and quizzes.


Slide13: Didn’t happen; won’t happen!


Student of the Month Award: Student of the Month Award The student’s picture, brief biography, and one-sentence quote will be posted on the outside of the classroom door. A students is eligible if The student has not received any warnings for the month. The student has scored well on tests, quizzes, and assignments, OR the student’s performance has improved significantly during the month. Students can only win once a semester, but I’m not telling them that!!!


Class Reward: Class Reward Each class will compete against each other for points One point is earned each day no student receives a warning One point is deducted each day a student receives a warning A graph showing the status of the competition will be posted on the bulletin board. The winning class will receive a pizza party/movie day at the end of the semester.


Next Year: Next Year Implement Student of the Month Implement Class Reward once per term


Parental Involvement: Parental Involvement Sending letter to parents on first day of school Calling parents Inviting parents to visit class or volunteer at the school*** Requiring that any major test grade below a “C” be signed by parents*** Involving parents as part of consequences and rewards I will seek parental involvement by doing the following:


Procedures: Procedures


“I gotta go!!!”: “I gotta go!!!” Each student receives 2 restroom passes per semester. The student will raise a restroom pass to request permission to go to the restroom. I will nod or shake my head to give or deny permission for the student to go to the restroom. The student will place their restroom pass in the homework box, take the hall pass, sign out, go to the restroom, and sign in upon return. In case of an emergency, the student can choose to receive the consequence for going to the restroom without permission – early morning detention.


Problems/Solutions: Problems/Solutions Students can’t keep up with anything – I kept up with bathroom passes instead of giving out physically Students walked out of class – I found no solution (administrators gave pass to class) Students did not sign out – checked sign-out log at end of period Everyone had to go during lunch block – let them go at will


Early Morning Detention: Early Morning Detention Held twice per week from 7:45 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. During detention, no communication between students or between students and teacher is permitted. Students will be seated separate from one another and facing away from each other (facing the walls). Students cannot read, write, or sleep for first 25 mins. During last 10 minutes, students must write plan of action for behavior improvement.


Problems:: Problems: Students: I have to work. Students: I don’t have a ride. School: Homeroom starts at 7:45 am School: Students receive grades for S.T.O.P. activities during homeroom


Entering Jamila’s Domain: Entering Jamila’s Domain Students will enter classroom silently. Students will place homework in homework box upon entering the room.*** Students will sharpen pencils and secure any needed supplies before the bell rings. Students will sit down and place on/under their desks notebook, paper, pencils/pens, calculator, and textbook. Students will begin bell ringer


Make-up Work: Make-up Work I will insert handouts that are distributed to the class in a folder for each student that is absent. If applicable, I will insert a paper in the folder stating the full title of the test/quiz given on that date. The folders will be arranged by class period and will be available for the student to take out the missed work upon return to class. The folder will be returned and reused. I will designate a student to take notes for absent student(s). I will copy the notes to be included in a class notes notebook.***


Make-up Work (Ctd.): Make-up Work (Ctd.) The absent student is responsible for copying the notes during individual practice or before school (student must have appointment with teacher and parent note). Make-up work must be returned within 2 days.*** Tests/quizzes must be made up within 1 week.*** The student, not the teacher, is responsible for ensuring that all work is made up in a timely manner. Students may receive full credit for work missed due to excused absences, and up to 75% for work missed for unexcused absences.***


Make-up Next Year: Make-up Next Year Set a minimum number of assignments that must be submitted (approximately 60% of assignments Accept no late assignments for any reason Assign additional assignments for those who have not completed 60% of the assignments Exceptions for excused absences on as need basis (but don’t tell students that)


Sharpening Pencils: Sharpening Pencils Students are responsible for having at least 2 sharpened pencils before the bell rings. If a pencil is needed during class, the student should raise his/her pencil. I will acknowledge the student’s request by nodding my head in his/her direction. I will swap out the student’s pencil for a sharpened pencil when able to do so. Ideally, the pencil will be a stubby one with no eraser. After I have dismissed class, the student will return the pencil and receive his/her pencil.


Pencils Next Year: Pencils Next Year Something valuable for the pencil If you forget it, that’s your problem


THE END: THE END