Classroom Management

 I believe in providing all students with a fun, safe, and positive environment where everyone can learn. My classroom management plan is based on discipline with dignity and positive reinforcement. Children are positively reinforced for appropriate behavior with a variety of rewards. Classroom rules are posted, learned and practiced at the beginning of the year and throughout the year as necessary. Rewards and consequences are posted in the classroom as well.

Positive Reinforcement

Individual

Individual positive reinforcement includes verbal praise from me, stickers, a stamp on the hand, high fives, smiles, hugs or candy. Each child’s goal is to stay on a green apple all day and possibly move up to a purple apple.  If a child stays on green all week he / she will get to reach into the prize box on Friday. I choose one child each day to receive the “purple apple”. A child will receive the purple apple when he / she is paying attention, working quietly, sharing, or following directions all day. It is a special treat to receive the purple apple!

Cooperative Groups

Students earn “table tallies” by working together, working quietly, helping each other do his / her best work, keeping their area clean, sharing, getting ready quickly and being a good friend. Table tallies are earned throughout the day. When a table earns 20 table tallies, the students at that table get to eat lunch with the teacher.

Whole Class

The class marble jar is used to reinforce appropriate classroom behavior. When the whole class is walking in line quietly, working hard, sitting nicely or when the whole class receives green lights all day, ten marbles are put in the jar. When the jar is full, the whole class receives a special treat. The class will get to vote on the treat, which includes movies, extra recess, free time, popcorn treats, pajama day, game day.


Choices and Consequences

 

Classroom Rules

 

1. Follow directions the first time.

2. Work quietly. Do not disturb others.

3. Respect school and personal property.

4. Use kind words.

5. Be an active learner.

On the first day of school we discuss the importance of following the rules and the different choices we can make in the classroom, on the playground and at Richmond St. School.  As a class, we decided that following the directions and doing our very best would be the optimal way to learn and work together.  Classroom rules are posted on the wall of the classroom. These rules are learned, discussed and practiced in the beginning of the year and throughout the year as necessary.

I use the light board system for consequences due to inappropriate behavior. Each child begins the day with a green light. If an inappropriate behavior occurs or a child is not following one of the classroom rules, a warning is given. Warnings include a look from me, a quiet sign from a classmate, a tap on the shoulder, a whisper to follow directions, a verbal reminder or an erased table tally. This allows the child the opportunity to correct the behavior before having to change a card to yellow or red.

If the behavior continues, a yellow light is given. A yellow light includes a five minute time out in which the child is removed from the activity to privately think about making good choices.

If an appropriate behavior should continue, the light will be turned to red. Red lights result in a ten minute time out, a possible missed recess, or other appropriate consequence. If a child receives a red light, a “red light notice” will be sent home with a brief explanation. This notice should be signed be a parent and returned to school the next day. Please discuss red light behavior with your child as you feel necessary. I discuss inappropriate behaviors with children as privately as possible. Students know they are responsible for their own actions and together we will find ways to make smart choices.