Basic Classroom Procedures…

1. Basic Classroom Procedures… Part 2 of Margaret’s Classroom Management Plan – the procedures that will be in place on day 1, additional important things to know, and how procedures will be implemented.

2. How are students expected to enter the classroom? • Students will enter the classroom and be immediately engaged by what is written on the board. It will be a 5-10 minute morning warm up that pertains to our learning in a part of the class. The students will put their belongings in their cubbies or lockers and get to work. • Our morning procedure is to start bellwork, listen to morning announcements, do a morning meeting to discuss the day and anything else pertinent, calendar and weather, and starting class. How are seats assigned? • Students will know where they are to sit from the pre-assessment day of school, but there will be a chart on the board that corresponds to numbers they received from me on coming to the door for those that would like explicit direction or missed the pre-assessment.

3. What is your beginning of the period routine? • Students enter the classroom and begin bellwork. • The announcements and Pledge of Allegiance come over the speakers, students stand when they hear the bell • We follow with a recitation of our pledge and a hello handshake to our table, and sing a song 1-2 times a week (like “Feelin’ Groovy” by Simon and Garfunkel, words written in classroom.) • We assemble in a morning meeting to discuss the day. • Move to calendar and weather graph, using Google Earth to find a place in the world whose weather we compare to ours. How do you take roll? • Roll is taken via powerschool or the school’s software while the students are working on their bellwork. • How do students turn in papers/assignments? • For assignments or tests that are completed at the same time, students pass papers across the rows or to one designated person in the seat group. If papers are turned in at different times (for centers, or similar work), the students turn their work in to the finished work basket.

4. How do students move about the room? • Students will move to get their readers or workbooks according to a riddle, and with a timer set (We have 1 minute. If your last name starts with A-K, get your workbook as quickly as you can. Okay, L-Z.) • Transitions are indicated by a warning, special word, timer, or explicit written instructions What do students do when they finish early? • Students will have an “Anchor” or “What to do when I’m all through” folder in their desks that we fill throughout the week with writing, worksheets, or other assignments. • If a student does not have anything left in his/her anchor folder, he/she will take the silent reading book also stored in the desk to read while other students finish.

5. How do students behave when there is a visitor in the classroom? • The purpose of the visitor will be clear to the students (observation, help with reading, filing/copying, etc.) • The students will behave as they do normally when a visitor is in the room, and may greet or welcome them as appropriate. • If the visitor is teaching a lesson, all standard procedures are in place. How do you quiet the class when you need their attention? • Non-verbal cue: Hand up, give me five • Verbal cue: Varying, depending on activity and student focus. Bell, 123, Eyes on me, rhythmic clapping, if you can hear my voice…

6. How do you handle students who do not have their materials? How do you handle a student who is absent? • School will be notified • An absent folder will be placed on his/her desk, and his/her seat mate will fill it over the course of the day as new material is added. • A student will be selected as the memory minder to keep track of important things to tell or share with the missing student on a piece of paper to be added to the absent folder at the end of the day. • Pencils will be available in the sharpened pencil cup. • Paper is available in the paper file • A student who is missing text or work will write a note to him/her self and to the teacher as a reminder, and bring it the following day. If this is a continual problem, the note will be expanded to his/her parents.

7. How do you handle students who are inappropriately dressed? • The school will have extra clothes for students in inclement weather or in the case of otherwise inappropriate dress. • The student will be notified privately of the need to change, and may use the telephone if an adult is available to bring other clothing. • A note will be added to the student’s file regarding the inappropriate dress. • If it continues, an email will be sent home reminding parents of the dress code and dating infractions. • If there is still no change, the principal or assistant principal may be asked to help.

8. What other procedures do you need to have planned prior to the first day of school? • Listening to and responding to questions • Indicating understanding, asking for help • Working cooperatively • Leaving the classroom to visit the restroom, nurse, and office • Working outside the classroom • Asking a question • Walking in the hall • If the teacher is out of the classroom • Saying “Please” and “Thank you” • Emergency response protocol Additional procedures to introduce and practice in the first two weeks of school: • How to head an assignment • How to take notes • How to read a book • How to do the homework • How to work in groups • How to study for a test • How to ask for help • How to support our team members • How to read and complete a rubric • How to solve disputes • And more…

9. How do you teach procedures? • Explain the procedure: State, explain, model, and demonstrate the procedure • Rehearse the procedure: Rehearse and practice the procedure under supervision • Reinforce the procedure: Reteach, rehearse, practice, and reinforce the classroom procedure until it becomes a student habit or routine (The First Days of School, page 175)

10. How do your lesson plans support your procedures and rules? • Expectations for lessons are consistent across disciplines and utilize all procedures • Assignment expectations and objectives are clear, concise, and consistent • Units follow a procedure: introduce with objectives; assignments and test are created at the same time; demonstrations of learning discussed in advance; timelines for individual lessons as well as units are shared • Procedures are re-taught as needed for student learning and achievement

11. How do you prepare for a substitute teacher? • School requires a “Sub Plan” to be submitted day prior to planned absence that includes lesson plans and schedule • Classroom Management Plan binder will have a sub page that includes important passwords, quick explanation of key procedures • Students will be alerted when possible so they are not surprised, a sub guide will be assigned to assist with procedures • Desk and teacher area will be kept in an orderly fashion to make resources readily available to substitutes in the event of an unplanned absence.

12. How do you arrange your classroom? • Depends on the size and shape of classroom • Areas that will be present: reading, independent work areas, teacher area, stage or presentation area • Teacher desk will be in far corner of room, and provide direct access to teacher (not hiding behind desk), positioned to best see entire room and hallway • Desks will be arranged in groups based on learning goals and time of year. If I do not know my students at the beginning of the year, we will do rows or a u-shaped desk area for a week to give us the chance to know each other’s strengths in group work. Occasionally, desks will be moved to facilitate debate or discussion. Generally, desks will be in groups with equal sight access to board and stage.

13. More examples found in Appendix 6…

14. What is the message conveyed by the classroom environment on the first day of school? • The room will be as naturally light and airy as possible, with fresh air and open windows • Bouquets of flowers will accompany potted plants in the room • Procedure reminders will be posted with academic reminders and the schedule for the day • There will be several open wall spaces for student work • There will be no clutter, room will be very clean • A large sign will welcome students • A group art project will be prepared

15. What rules/procedures do you use for field trips? • All classroom procedures will be followed • Guest speakers and drivers will be greeted and obeyed, and we will emphasize listening and appropriate questioning procedures • We sit on the bus with our “bus buddies” in a prescribed order, discussed prior to field trip • Field trip journals will be brought on field trips with needed utensils for writing and drawing • Proper behavior on field trip will be rewarded with free explore time of 10-15 minutes when possible at the site

16. How do you dress for the first day of school? • Clothing will be comfortable to allow free movement and to allay anxiety! • Clothing will be clean and professional, as if going to a job interview • Teacher will be clean and professional!  • Teacher may wear a corsage or other fitting celebratory decoration for the first day of school – must be professional