I want my class to run a productive class that operates smoothly. In order for this to happen, I need to create rules and consequences for my future students. Marzano et al. (2003) state“the obvious aspect of effective classroom management involves the design and implementation of classroom rules and procedures” (p. 13). On the first day of school, my plan is to collaborate with my students in designing a set of rules that everybody can agree to and follow. I believe this method is effective because the students will be more likely to follow rules that they helped create, and they will understand the consequences of breaking their own rules. I want my students to know that I do not want to control them like animals, so this method will give them some freedom and they will feel like the classroom is a safe environment. I will print the listed rules on a large poster that I can hang up on the wall where everyone can clearly see. This poster can be used as a reference and reminder throughout the school year.

Students must face the consequences when they break these rules. First, I will give a verbal warning by calling out the student’s name. Depending on how bad the situation is, I will pull them out into the hallway to talk. If this behavior continues, I will call the student’s parents/guardians. My goal with immoral behavior is to talk it out with the students. I know that there is always a reason as to why the student acts out. For example, that student could have problems going on at at home, so my job is to understand and help the student the best that I can. That being said, I believe in restorative discipline. Milner et al. (2019) suggest that “instead of excluding students from their educational setting as punishment, a restorative discipline approach supports students coming to terms with how their actions may have affected others, taking responsibility for these actions, and continuing to learn and grow” (p. 137). In conclusion, school should be a place where students are expected to make mistakes and learn from them. This method of setting rules and consequences should allow students to grow and feel comfortable in the environment. 

Here are all my plans for routines and procedures. First, I plan to greet the students at the door at the beginning of class. If I become a middle school band director, I will instruct them to have a seat and get their instruments out. If it is elementary school, I will tell the students to quietly walk and find their spots on the floor to sit on. The students should be sitting quietly until everyone is ready, and that is when I will start class. Secondly, to get the students’ full attention, I would like to do a call and response clapping rhythm. I know that I will be doing a lot of talking already in the classroom, so it is too much form to shout or raise my voice to get their attention. I will clap a simple rhythm, and the students should be able to hear it and clap the same rhythm back to me. As an aspiring music teacher, I could use that as a learning opportunity because I could teach that rhythm, and they would learn how to count the musical rhythm they clapped.

Documenting student behavior is a very useful method for tracking individual student conduct in the classroom. I plan to document behaviors that result in more than a verbal warning, such as pulling a student out of class (See Figure 1). I believe it is most important to document students that commit threatening acts. If I notice that a student’s behavior has drastically changed, I will note that student and what date it started. This will help me keep track of the student’s conduct and check in with them if I need to. One last thing I plan to document is how effective my lessons and delivery of teaching are. If there is something the students do not understand in class, I will write myself a note and figure out how I can better explain the topic. If there was an activity that the students really enjoyed, I will note that so I can plan similar activities throughout the year and keep those activities over the years.

Figure 1 Behavior Log

Communication is one of the most important keys to the success of the student. As a student currently, I know my future students want to know how they are doing in my class and what they need to do to be successful. Most parents also would like to know how to help their children grow stronger. Therefore, I have both a student and family communication plan.

I know students are very busy in and outside school. As they get older, the busier they become. Most high schoolers even have jobs after they get out of school. We have become very lucky with technology because it is easier and faster to communicate with people. I know some schools already use online educational devices, such as Edmodo and Schoology. Those devices are perfect for communicating with students, and they can also interact with each other. This is where I can post assignments, calendars, and reminders. It’s super helpful for students who are absent and for those who forgot the information said in class. Also, if a student is curious about how they are progressing in my class, I can show them a progress report so they know how they are doing and how they can improve. I plan to meet privately with individual students who are failing my class, and I will give them the opportunity to turn in late assignments and makeup tests. Students turning in late assignments must attach a sheet to let me know that it is late so that I can accept it, seen in Figure 2.

Figure 2 Late Assignment Attachment

Families are the most crucial factor in the success of a student. Milner and colleagues(2019) state that having a good partnership with families can lead to higher academic achievement and approved attendance and decrease student disruptive behaviors. I plan to contact families regarding student behavior and bad grades. Any time I call the student’s home, I will use this log for notes shown in Figure 3. The most effective way to communicate with families is through technology. It is important to contact them throughout the year, even if it is not about a negative issue with their child. For example, it could be about something the student did well in class.

I plan to contact the parents/guardians before the school year starts because I believe the most important step to building a relationship with families is communication. I plan to send an email to introduce myself, explain what I teach and why I teach it, express my excitement about the new year, and encourage them to ask me questions at any time. This will let families know that I am here and that I truly care about my students, their families, and the community.

Figure 3 Contact sheet

References

Marzano, R. J., Marzano, J. S., & Pickering, D. J. (2003). Classroom management that works: research-based strategies for every teacher. Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

Milner, H. R., Cunningham, H. B., Delale-O’Connor, L., & Kestenberg, E. G. (2019). “These kids are out of control”: why we must reimagine “classroom management” for equity.