Christy Wilson

EDCI 511

Fall 2006

UMW-CGPS

Classroom Management Plan

The following information constitutes my classroom management plan that I have created as a requirement for EDCI 511. While working to complete this assignment, I was able to locate some useful information on the Internet that I have included in this folder. My intent was not just to fulfill this assignment but to have a binder of information that I can use when I actually start in my own classroom.

Pledge: I pledge on my honor that I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this assignment.

Our Classroom Rules

1.Come to class on time.Standing outside the door and rushing in after the bell has begun to ring will constitute a tardy. You must be INSIDE the door when it begins ringing to be counted on time.

2. Do not eat candy or other food, including drinks, in class unless you have been given special permission. Food can and will damage the computers that are located in the room.

3. Bring required materials to class every day unless you are otherwise directed.No passes will be given to return to your locker to retrieve materials. No exceptions!

4. Do not cheat.Students caught cheating will receive a zero and a phone call home. Both the student who shares his work for an independent assignment AND the person who copies it will suffer the same consequences. I expect you to do your own work and to be sure no one can copy it.

5. Follow the teacher's directions immediately. Keep me happy and I'll do a better job for you!

* Ideally, I would like to have my students help me create the rules for the classroom. To accomplish this, I think that I will approach these rules as a proposal that my students can suggest changes and additions to on the first day of school.

Our Classroom Procedures/Routines

1. Remove just your personal folder from the tray as you enter the room. The folders are used to help me take attendance and communication between you and me. If you take another student's folder, I will get a correct attendance count and you might see something that was not intended for you.

2. Begin the start up activity within 1 minute after the tardy bell.Directions will be on the projection screen or the board. Please do not wait for me to remind you to begin since I need to take roll and attend to other duties for the first few minutes of the period. When I begin class, directions for the start up may be taken down, so don't delay.

3. Attend to personal needs before coming to class.I have been instructed not to give passes to lockers and to limit passes, so please do not ask for a pass unless you have a true emergency.

4. Remain in your assigned seat unless you have permission to get up. Throw trash away at the end of the period on your way out.

5. Talk only when permitted.Be aware of the situation since quiet talking is allowed in some situations and speaking to the entire group without raising your hand may be allowed in others. I will remind you once and expect compliance.

6. Use polite speech and body language.Unkind teasing and impolite behavior is unacceptable.

7. Do not remove the paper from the computer screen until instructed to do so. Failure to lesson to the information that is passed prior to using the computer can lead to a zero for the day's lesson.

8. Turn the computer mouse upside down before leaving the classroom. The upside down position allows me to see the trackball so that I can ensure that none of them are missing before the next class.

* Unlike the rules for my class, I do not see as much flexibility for the procedures. There are some procedures that I would like for the students to add to or take away from but others I cannot allow for change.

Strategies for Teaching Rules and Procedures

I have several different ideas for teaching rules and procedures. I think students get tired of hearing the same speech class after class on the first day, so I hope to take a different approach with my class.

1. Read Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard and James Marshall

The idea is to get the students thinking about joint cooperation in the classroom. We can read the story and then discuss the pros and cons to getting along and helping each other in our learning environment.

2. Place big sheets of paper on the walls with labels on them like Rules, Procedures, and so on. We can then discuss the various ideas we would like to institute for our classroom. The keyword being 'our' classroom.

3. Start the class with a Get to Know You exercise. This helps to break the ice and get the class talking. From there we could move to a more informal discussion about the fact that we are all in this classroom together and we have to have rules and procedures to make our learning experience fruitful.

4. As a last resort or as a way to establish control of the class if necessary, I could simply have handout ready that state the rules, procedures and so on. We could hold a formal discussion of the handouts and I could answer any questions.

Techniques for Maximizing Learning and Minimizing Behavior Problems:

The following pages cover varies aspects of teaching in a classroom that are important for all teachers to consider and reflect on as they move through the school year. I have provided my initial thoughts on each topic and any information I was able to locate that I thought might help me when I begin teaching.

A. Student Involvement and Motivation of Students

I think students get involved and are motivated in classrooms where they are comfortable and where they feel like they have a say or an investment in what they are doing or learning. Additionally, students do not like to feel singled out or put on the spot. So, to get my students involved and motivated, I plan to do the following things:

  1. student learning groups/cooperative learning groups
  2. learning passes/coupons
  3. learning logs
  4. student designed or student highlighted bulletin boards/slide shows
  5. student input on grading rubrics, project ideas, and other areas as necessary or as possible
  6. grading contract

B. Utilization of Space/Classroom Configuration

As a computer science teacher, I might be limited in the way/s that I can configure my classroom. Most rooms that contain computers are fixed in their design and thus limit where I can place more things.

Classroom 1: Ideal configuration that allows for computer usage and student learning away from the computers. The room will also contain additional learning tools. Students should have access to books, bulletin boards, and other materials that apply to the class.

Computers area perimeter of classroom

Bulletin boards over computers at the back of the classroom

Cabinets over the computers at the sides of the classroom

Student desks in the center of the room that can be moved to form group work areas

Teacher computer cart that can be moved

Teacher desk in front corner of room

Overhead projector on cart

TV mounted in front corner of room

White board or chalk board the covers entire front wall minus small bulletin boards on each end

Moveable filing cabinets

2-3 moveable bookshelves

Classroom 2: Typical computer classrooms have computers on desks that fill the main space of the room by forming rows. This situation can make it difficult for the teacher to see the students, for the students to see what the teacher is doing, and for the students to have enough room to take notes.

Computers on desks on the main area of the room

Bulletin boards on the side and back walls of the classroom

Storage cabinets on the side wall

Teacher computer cart that can be moved

Teacher desk in front corner of room

Overhead projector on cart

TV mounted in front corner of room

White board or chalk board the covers entire front wall minus small bulletin boards on each end

Moveable filing cabinets

2-3 moveable bookshelves

Both Classrooms: My goal in both classrooms is to create a welcoming environment where the students can have access to all of the learning materials, the teacher, and each other. Ideally the room will allow for a cooperative learning environment. I think it is very important to have bulletin board with information on topics that are being studied and projects that the students have created. Since I will be teaching using computers, I also plan to have brightly colored cups that the students can place on top of their computer monitors when they have a question. The cups will be easier to see than a raised hand.

C. Positive Teacher/Student and Student/Student Relationships

My primary goal for my class is to create a community of learning. In that community each student must be treated as an equal. To create this community, I plan to have an open communication policy where the teacher and the students can speak what is on their mind as long as they are respectful to each other and those around them. I will foster this relationship by teaching my students how to compliment each other and how to handle situations where one must point out a mistake or receive the not so pleasant information. I will welcome all forms of input and encourage students to work through their ideas. Additionally, I will open room hours before and after school so that the students can come in for help or just to talk.

D. Time Management

I think the key to time management is being prepared for the day. Part of this is having a good lesson plan, and part of this is the student ensuring they have the proper materials for the class. Another key component is a schedule that is followed everyday. To add in this schedule, I plan to post my class objectives in the same area everyday. I also plan to give my students a monthly planning schedule that shows what we will be covering, the homework assignments, and the quiz/test dates. I do realize that I will need to be flexible, but keeping to a daily schedule will keep things moving in a general time managed direction. Short of how I begin my class, the daily schedule will be laid out in the daily lesson plan.

E. Motivation of Students

(covered under student involvement)

F. Lesson Planning

I have learned that lesson plans are better if they contain a lot of details and a back-up plan or extra add-on activities. I also think that lesson plans should be flexible and easy to rearrange.

As a teacher, I will need to spend a fair amount of time preparing my lesson plans. In doing so, I think that I will either us the NTeQ Lesson Plan format when I plan to integrate technology or the Madeline Hunter format for regular lessons. (example lessons are attached)

G. Parent Involvement

I feel like that at the high school level parental involvement is slightly more difficult to expect and to gain. I also think it is impractical to do a newsletter for a single class. Therefore, I will begin my parental involvement by having my students' parents sign the grading contract. I will also establish a Website that parents can access to see what we are doing in class. The site will contain class notes as well as study materials, related links, and other information the students or parents would like to see. I will also ensure that the parents have my contact information including my email and phone number/s.

H. Differentiation of Instruction

Since students learn in different ways, it is important to design lessons around these different skills. So, most of my differentiation will be seen in my lesson plans. Some of those things will include offering a choice between the final product for a project, the option to work in a group or work alone, presenting information in different formats like a reading handout and then a video, and so on.

Consequences for Inappropriate for Behavior

I truly feel that behaviorally issues should be handled on a case by case basis. As with how we learn, each student is different and needs a different approach to their behavior.

My initial approach for any student will be to quietly ask them to stop whatever it is that they are doing. If the behavior persists, then I will ask the student to see me after class. I think that if you connect with your students, get to know, you can work out the problems. In this process, it is important not to embarrass the student in front of his peers.

In cases where the behavior is dangerous to the class, i.e. a fight, the students involved will be immediately separated and the policy of the school will be followed. Unfortunately, there is little a teacher can do when a situation turns violate other than follow school policy.

Incentives for Positive Behavior

As with inappropriate behavior, I also think that incentives for positive behavior need to be handled on a case by case basis. Some students need tangible rewards while others just need simple verbal recognition. Again, I think the key here is getting to know the students.

But, all students like the chance to skill a quiz or a homework assignment, so I will use reward coupons as an incentive for positive behavior. These coupons can be earned for completing a certain number of homework assignments or having your class materials everyday for a certain number of days. I plan to ask my students to help me determine the different ways they would like to be able to earn these coupons.

Also, students love to have free time. Free time in a computer lab with Internet access is great. At the end of a unit or a large project, as a reward for their hard work and good behavior, I can and will use the Internet to show my students that I appreciate their efforts.

Website References:

NTeQ Telecommunication Lesson Plan

Lesson Title: Computer Etiquette - Look Your Best

Subject Area: Introduction to Computers

Grade Level: 9th Grade

Teacher: Christy Wilson

Lesson Summary: This lesson will be on the importance of following certain guidelines while communicating over the Internet. The purpose of this lesson is to familiarize students with the proper way to communicate electronically. Students will learn basic rules for communication and the importance of using them in all types of communication. At the end of the lesson, students will be given a chance to practice their new skills by participating in an online chat session.

Estimated Classroom Time: 1 day

Learning Objectives: By the end of this lesson, the students will:

  • demonstrate knowledge of Computer Etiquette as it pertains to telecommunications.
  • demonstrate the ability to correctly communicate using the Internet.
  • participate in an online chat.

Standards:

  • National:
  • Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology. (NETS-S 2.1)
  • Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software. (NETS-S 2.2)
  • Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity. (NETS-S 2.3)
  • Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences. (NETS-S 4.1)
  • Local:
  • Access the potential of information and technology to address personal and workplace needs. (C/T 9.12.3.1)
  • Determine the most effective tool, format, and style to communicate to specific audiences. (C/T 9.12.9.1)
  • Practice self-directed use of advanced technology tools for communicating with specific audiences. (C/T 9.12.3)

Materials:

  • Computers
  • Internet Access
  • School Acceptable Use Agreement

Identify the Nature of the Problem: Students are learning how to enhance their lives using computers. In this pursuit, they need to realize that there are proper ways to conduct communicates over the Internet.

Computer Functions and Data Manipulation: Computer technology is an integral part of this lesson. The chart below lists the learning tasks and its corresponding computer function.

Learning Task / Computer Function
Telecommunications / Internet access

The following table is a breakdown of each computer function, the computer application, and how the data will be used or manipulated.

Computer Function / Computer Application / Data Manipulation
Internet access / Allows access to chat server / Access to chat session

Lesson Activities:

Problem: Today we are going to discuss the proper way to communicate using the Internet. While it may seem like a silly topic, but what you say on the Internet directly reflects on you, your school, or the people you represent.

Providing Instructions: The students in the class come from a diverse background of computer exposure. But, most students have had at least some exposure to the Internet. While most students have Internet access at home, those that do not have the opportunity to use the Internet before and after school in the library.