The teacher understands the central concepts, tools of inquiry, and structures of the discipline(s) he or she teaches and creates learning experiences that make these aspects of the discipline accessible and meaningful for learners.
A classroom management plan is a crucial aspect of maintaining classroom behavior. Students should be made aware of all of the standard operating procedures that they expect to be followed and what the outcome will be if it is not followed. In the example of a management plan, there is a mission statement, procedures, and general consequences. There is also a crisis plan for once the behavior has accelerated. The plan will be a copy of the plan in the syllabus and posted somewhere for the students to access throughout the year. Parents should also be involved in the plan and will have a copy sent home. During certain times of the year, like coming back from a break, where students may have a harder time getting back to the routine. This way we can refer back to the expectations and plan. It is also important for students to be given positive feedback when they have followed the instructions. The plan should include positive behavior supports which may be small like verbal praise or larger rewards. Using this model makes the plan accessible to all students and will be a meaningful way of sharing your expectations and consequences with your students.
Discipline can be a very controversial conversation in education. Zero-tolerance policies have been shown to not work and target certain groups of students. Any discipline that takes a student out of the classroom and away from their learning environment, like suspension, is not the most effective way of teaching a student was is not acceptable. A more effective way to support good behavior is Positive Behavior Intervention and Support. This is the practice that follows a multi-tiered system that supports the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral capabilities of all students. In this way, students are explicitly encouraged to practice and encourage the positive social skills expected across environments and students. When students are taught to use the expected and appropriate social skills effectively with themselves and with others, school atmospheres become more positive, learning environments are safer, and student-teacher relationships are improved. The more my career progresses and I get more experience I get the way a handle behavior may change. I may decide to follow a different model or the school I work in may also follow something different. Regardless, it is important to know how you will manage students’ behavior and how you want to handle disciplinary action.
