Classroom Management

       Have you ever seen the movie “Kindergarten Cop?” You know the whole first day when the Governator was losing his mind and the kids were running around creating havoc. Or have you ever had the dream where no matter how many times you tell the kids to stop destroying the school- no one even looks your way or acknowledges your existence? Or have you ever had an experience where you walked into the classroom and had no idea how to become an authority figure? Classroom management is key. As a student teacher, I struggled with it at first. But by working through it and observing my mentor teacher, I have some ideas on how to implement classroom management strategies. A classroom needs structure. Kids need a safe environment.

      

       Here is what I’ve learned so far about classroom management. Every kid is different. Perfect Sarah may never have to move her clip. Crazy Sam may move his clip religiously. Some behavior systems/incentives will work for one kid and may not work for another. In my opinion, you have to constantly be orchestrating new ideas for classroom management throughout the year. Every teacher is different, and there are so many different ways to implement/do classroom management. Every classroom will look different. Classroom management needs to fit your personal needs along with the kids needs.

Here are some, not all, of the classroom management ideas I am implementing in my classroom this year:

1.) Behavior Chart-My kinder team already has a set list of colors we use for our behavior management: green, yellow, orange, and red. At the beginning of the day, all of the students start out on green. Then throughout the day students may have to move

There isn't any white space in
between mine, but here is
my clip chart! TPT

their clip down if they are acting up or not being respectful, and so on.  This chart will be on the white board and students will be responsible for moving their own clip when I tell them to. This way I am hoping students will take responsibility for their behavior and try to make a positive change. (I of course will also speak with them about what I expect their behavior to be, and the fact that I know they can change their behavior from negative to positive. Later in the day when I see them doing something positive, I will make sure to address it- to encourage the positive behavior.) As far as consequences, if a student moves their clip they will have to miss out on something. Maybe a few minutes of recess- I’m not sure still working on that. If students move to red though repeatedly, I will contact their parents and discuss with them their child’s behavior and what we can do to improve his or her behavior. I got my classroom chart off of teachers pay teachers.

She has such great ideas! Go to
her blog to see! Cute coupons!

2.) Incentives-On Teacher Pay Teachers I found some Alphabet Money and some classroom coupons! During the day I will pass out alphabet money to the students who are working well in teams, following the rules, doing their best, and so on. When a student collects 10 alphabet dollars, he or she will be able to trade in to get a classroom coupon. (The students will make the trade in at the end of the day.) Students will get to choose between coupons such as: no homework pass, wear a hat to school, show off a talent, show and tell, bring a stuffed animal to school, stinky feet, etc. I decided on coupons because stocking up a treasure box COSTS A LOT. This way I can keep reusing the coupons, and they are no charge to me. I am hoping these incentives will encourage students to do well!

3.) Routines/Procedures-Obviously on the first day of school we will practice routines over and over and will continue to do so throughout the year. Obviously, first model what to do. Then have students practice. It is important that each time the students practice that ALL OF THE STUDENTS DO THE RIGHT THING. If Crazy Billy is over there running around flapping his wings as he gets in line. Stop him right there and have the class all go sit back down. You do not want to encourage poor behavior. I would then have students tell me how they should line up and say, “Great! I’m glad you remembered! Now let’s show me how to line up the right way!” Then have students practice the procedure a few times the right way. To reiterate what I expect. (Learned this during student teaching and reading the book, “The Daily 5.”

4) Line Up-For my line up procedures, I will have numbers all lining up to the door so that students will not fight over where they are in line. All students will have an assigned number for the week. I will have a line leader and a door holder each week. After each week, students will move up one place in line so that every student can be the line leader for a week. (How our kinder team handles line up procedures.)

5.) Desk Arrangement-When arranging my students’ desks, I will have four desks placed together for each table. In my classroom, I will have desks. Now for kinder I am sure that the inside of their desks will be like Narnia for them and they will continually want to look in them and search for who knows what. So I will have all the insides of the desks in the middle of the table so students can’t go inside of them. Then I will zip-tie all of the desks together so the desks will not constantly be moving around from one side of the room to the other! I will also make sure that there is plenty of room for the students to move up and about and will seat students based on their needs/behaviors. (Got the ideas from veteran teachers.)

6.) Classroom Jobs- I am not going to have classroom jobs for now. Besides a line leader/door holder. I will introduce classroom jobs later on in the semester as the kids get use to school and learn about responsibilities. (Based on what I have discussed with veteran teachers.)

7.) Blurt Chart-I am making BLURT CHART. I am not one for interruptions. If a student blurts out they will have to remove their sticky note. (I will provide some leeway depending on the blurt.) No sticky notes left? Move your clip. (Pinterest)

8.) Cool down in Australia-If one of my kids is having a melt down or just needs some space for awhile… I will have a little corner- Australia- for them to escape to. I will introduce the corner by reading, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.” Students will be able to go over to Australia and write or draw about how they are feeling and will get to cool down for a few minutes and come back to their desk. I will have a little box for them to place their drawings/writings in that only I will view later after school.

9.) Voice Level Charts-I am also implementing voice level charts. There are 4 voice levels. I will place an arrow on which voice level the students can use throughout the day.

That’s all I have for now! I will post more once I figure out what all I will be doing as far as classroom management! I know everyone is different; these are just some of my ideas. Would love to hear your ideas!

-New Kid On The Block Hannah