U.S. HistoryManagement Plan:Erin Ennis

Classroom Rules:

• Respect yourself, others and our school• Make smart choices • Follow directions promptly and quietly• Pay attention and participate• Be prepared to learn• Always do your best• NO food, drink or electronic devices

out. I will confiscate them until after class.

We are all in this together, let’s make this a safe place to learn!

• Your Subtopics Go Here

Classroom Routines for me: Prepare the room for the day’s activities

Arrange for the day’s activities Have materials out

Greet students as they enter the room

Direct to the “Do Now” on the board and give them time to settle in

Refer to the posted agenda

Distribute homework Students will sit in groups of 4, one will be in

charge of handing out/collecting materials

Start lesson with a quick review of previous day and go over any unique procedures or behavioral expectations for new lesson

End class with collecting any work that was completed

Quick preview of next day’s class and dismiss class

Classroom routine for students:

Greet teacher as you walk into the room and go promptly to your assigned seat, keep noise to a 2

Do the posted “Do Now” quietly while classmates are coming in

Materials out on desk as directed on board, all else under desk

When class begins, eyes on me while we go over the day’s plan and review any upcoming activities or due dates and you will write them in your assignment book

Transitions will be done quietly and quickly keeping volume to a 2

At the end of class, pick up all of your materials and check throw away or recycle any waste in your area

You may leave after you are all seated and the bell has rung

Creating a positive environment:

Establishing classroom routines from day 1 Have a class meeting to determine what our rules

are and have the students give examples of what they are

Practice them: i.e. use a timer when handing out papers until they are consistently fast; re-enter classroom until they greet me politely and quietly go to their seats

Reinforce and revisit the rules: hold class meetings (like a state of the company meeting) to go over what issues may be occurring

Insure that this is a safe place and all opinions are respected; perhaps have an anonymous suggestion box (and go over what is an “acceptable” suggestion or comment)

Use a quick “check in” is there is something that is going to be a potential distraction i.e. day before vacation. Get it out there and move on.

Positive Environment continued:• I will make every effort to get to know my

students and as much as I can about their background so as to better learn how to keep them engaged– Get out into the community– Early parent meetings– Consult with previous teachers/guidance

counselors, etc.– Vary activities and lessons to address

different learning styles and abilities– Learn about their sphere of friends– Be available to them as a non-judging adult

and someone who sincerely cares about their learning and their succeeding in life

– Expect 100% everyday and push all to exceed this

Get to know students as individuals! Knowing what “makes them tick” is the key to preventing problems!

Adapt to incorporate their interests and make the lesson relevant to their lives

History exists not just in dates and events, but it everything: music, art, sports, etc. I have a plethora of ways to engage my students

Being able to relate personally with content is imperative for intrinsic motivation. Make them WANT to learn more about it and we can build from there

Getting off on the right foot:

Create a Code of Conduct together:Students will sign it Parents will sign it

Create a website where class procedures and assignments as well as supplemental material will be posted. Videos or photographs of class projects will also be available (pending parental consent). Students will contribute to it.

Letter home to parents explaining Code of Content, classroom procedures, an overview of the school material we will be covering throughout the year. I will include a card for them to complete with their information as well as the link to the class website. I will make a point of stating that I have an open door policy in regards to parental input and will be occasionally asking for participation if they have something they feel will contribute to a particular unit. I will have conference availability with flexible hours as needed.

Practice and modeling of classroom behavior. Consistency is necessary to create a stable learning environment. 100% is expected out of the students and me. Positive reinforcement of the rules such as “do this” not “don’t”. Have students give examples of appropriate and inappropriate behavior.

Model what is expected and don’t assume what I mean and they think I mean is the same thing. Explicit directions and examples all of the time.

Appropriate behavior:- Raising your hand when you have something to

say or to answer a question

- Hands, feet and body to yourself

- Everything said in this classroom is to remain here

- There will be no disrespecting anyone in this room with cruel words or behavior. This is a safe zone for you to be yourself

- You will not put your head down on your desk and will be attentive during class

- You will remain in your seat unless told to do otherwise. No socializing and walking around the room

- Speak kindly and politely to everyone here

Behavioral Issues:The classroom is a community: we are all part of it and the expectation has to be set that we are all responsible for it.

The actions of one may negatively impact another’s learning. Make it clear that this is unacceptable. Disruptions will be acknowledged quickly and quietly:

For individuals1) Proximity and “the look” until desired

behavior is achieved2) Explicitly address just what is going on with

no room for argument or comments back: “but she started it…” – Feet on the floor. That’s the end of it.

3) Escalation will be a conversation in the hall after class (so as not to disrupt the rest of the students)

Addressing behavior continued:

For the class as a whole: Check in: create accountability

If students seem to be fading out, start cold calling to get them perked up while checking for comprehension

If they are not paying attention: Pause while repeating myself Maintain eye contact with the class

If the class is struggling with smooth transitions: Spend time practicing and re-practicing

with a stop watch Have a quick review of the code of conduct

MOTIVATION! Have relevant content and methods to

motivate students to WANT to be there and learn.

Nothing less than trying your best and

acknowledge it – pat yourself on the back

Help students gain confidence in their abilities by fashioning assignments around their unique interests and abilities

establish early on what those abilities are

Praise when relevant such as big accomplishments and acknowledge good behavior whenever possible rather than just bad

REWARDS: Class reward examples: How to earn: Finished project on time, all put in a great effort and followed

behavioral expectations

Reward: Pizza party, movie day, class outside – something of their choice

(within reason)

Individual rewards: How to earn: Finish work early (not for good grade – this is an opportunity for verbal praise, but a

good grade is expected and will not be made into an event)

Class competitions – i.e. debates (judged by classmates, other classes or faculty)

Reward: Free time in “relaxation corner” in back of the room Help me choose an activity for a lesson of a couple options

Consequences and long term intervention:

- Warning- Tab in (designated area in the back of the room)- Tab out (to the school office)

Consequences will be immediate. Warnings, Tab in and out will be after I have tried to redirect the student by modeling the correct behavior or a clear, exact instruction.

- Continued behavior:- Meeting with me after school to discuss what is going

on and why you aren’t performing as I know you are capable of

- Meeting with parents to discuss a plan moving forward so we can all work together to help you maximize your learning

- Meeting with other support faculty to come up with some new ways of working things out

- We want to address any behavior or issues immediately. RTI: We will escalate intervention as needed and work to get you to where you should be

We are a community here to learn and maximize our potential. The goal is to get children to want to become life long learners. History is relevant to everyday life and my goal is to convey that in a meaningful way in a safe, fun and productive environment.