Successful classroom management is essential for a safe, fun, and productive learning environment. In addition, it maximizes time for instruction. Rules, procedures, and expectations are the foundation of a successful classroom management plan.
My classroom management plan depends heavily on what I call a “pressure points system”. I reward students for good behavior by filling up a graduated cylinder with colored water. Once the graduated cylinder is full, the class of students “pressure” me into rewarding their good behavior. Rewards can be extra credit, no homework, moving a test to another day, etc. The beauty is that the students choose their reward. On the contrary, if one student misbehaves, I give the entire class a verbal warning. If the student or class misbehaves after the verbal warning, I pour out all of the water in the graduated cylinder. This classroom management plan promotes positive peer pressure. Students help me discipline their peers. This document contains my classroom management plan.
Another procedure I plan to implement in my future classroom focuses on make-up work and absences. I plan to have a large filing system that is separated by days of the month. I will place all make-up work in those bins. It will be the student’s responsibility to check that bin for his/her make-up work.
“When dealing with children, there is greater need for observing than of probing.”
–Maria Montessori