Classroom Management Plan

Amanda L. Hawkins

Classroom management is an essential element in creating an effective learning environment. I would like my art classroom to be a relaxed, respectful and productive atmosphere that provides students with the freedom to create, explore, make mistakes and develop a respect and curiosity for the world around us.

Building Relationships with students is an ongoing process that begins before the first day of school and continues throughout the year. Get to know your students through one on one interactions, incorporate student interests and cultures into lessons and activities, provide positive and constructive feedback, and set and communicate high expectations for each and every student. Positive feedback will be provided in multiple ways: verbally during one on one interactions and class critiques/demonstrations, written feedback will be given on completed assignments, student artwork will be displayed throughout the school, an email or phone call will be made to parents commending students demonstrating exemplary behavior. Art Room Code of Conduct 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Come to class prepared Show respect Create your own artwork Listen and follow instruction the first time they are given Be responsible and considerate HAVE FUN!

Basic classroom procedures will be presented and discussed during a PowerPoint presentation on the first day of school. They will be practiced and reinforced consistently throughout the year. Students will be at their tables or getting art materials when the bell rings. Roll will be taken quietly after class has begun and students are engaged in their work. Students that are tardy are expected to provide an excused slip, unexcused absences will be marked in PowerSchool. Upon entering class, students will check the whiteboard for daily announcements. Unless otherwise noted, they immediately get their materials out and begin working on their current project. Seating arrangements will not be assigned at the high school level unless needed. At the elementary and middle school level

 Students will come to class prepared with materials and homework ready to be turned in. Students who are not prepared for class will receive points off of their participation/work ethic grade. Students are free to move about the room at their discretion in order to get art materials and search for visuals/resources. Students that are wandering aimlessly will be addressed by the teacher. Students will be given a five minute notice before we gather for a lesson or demonstration. When students finish early they can choose to work on an anchor project (that can be completed throughout the semester for extra credit), free draw, or select a job from the Help Wanted chart with art room odd jobs (cleaning sink, organizing ceramics tables, cleaning paper rack, etc.) To gain students attention at the high school level, I use a verbal cue - Everyone listen up or May I please have everyones attention? At the elementary or middle school level, I use Artist eyes up. Music is played during studio time, students will be made aware that when the music stops they should prepare to give the teacher their full attention. Flexible grouping will be chosen by the teacher based on a number of factors that may include: student readiness, interests or needs, learning profiles. Groups may be homogeneous or mixed abilities/interests. Cleanup and equipment maintenance responsibilities When cleaning up, the classroom (tables, chairs, floors, art supply stations, etc) should be as clean or cleaner than when students entered it. If art supplies need to be taken home to complete a project, students can fill out the materials sign out form. Turning in assignments Each class has a hanging file folder on the wall where they are expected to turn in homework or assignments and pick up graded work as well as a shelf where they turn in and pick up finished artwork. All students have a portfolio and wall cabinet where they keep works in progress. Late homework assignments may be turned in for half credit. Up to three art projects and homework assignments may be resubmitted for a better grade at any point excluding the last week of each semester. Additional Procedures: Cell phones are not to be used during class time unless permitted by the teacher for instructional purposes. They are not to be seen or heard without specific permission. Violation of this policy will result in phone being taken away for the remainder of the class period. Three violations will result in discipline referral. Students will not stand at the door and wait for the bell to ring. If a student has cleaned up early, he/she can choose a cleaning task from the Help Wanted chart or draw in their sketchbook.

 When a student needs to leave the classroom for any reason (restroom, drink of water, nurses office, etc.), they will check with the teacher, write their name on the whiteboard with the time they left and erase it when returning to class. Student Absences When students know in advance that they will be absent, they are provided a notification form to be completed and signed by each teacher and a parent/guardian. When absences are unplanned, students are expected to check in via email or phone while absent or in person when they return to school to find out about missed work. They will be given one day per absence to make up missed assignments per district policy. Choices and Consequences It is important that student are aware that they have control over their actions and that they are choosing the consequences, both positive and negative, through their behaviors. Every effort will be made to manage student behavior challenges in the classroom, however the school has a code of conduct and discipline policy that will be followed. The first time a behavior needs to be addressed, the teacher conferences with the student in a quiet area of the classroom or just outside the door. The second time a behavior is addressed they are given a warning. The third time a behavior is addressed, a parent will be notified and student will be required to come in during zero hour. If the behavior continues after that, student will be given a discipline referral. Responding to Student Behavior Students who seem distraught are handled with care and concern. We will have a private conversation and attempt to solve the problem or give them a chance to calm down. If necessary, they may be accompanied to the counselor or principal. Students who are not productive will also be addressed with care and concern. It is important not to make assumptions about a students behavior and attempt to address the root of the problem first and foremost. Discuss with the student how you can help them be more productive and use their time wisely. Students who are habitually unproductive and not making any attempt to improve their behavior will be referred to the RtI Problem Solving Team. Students who are disruptive will be addressed by the teacher in a quiet area of the room or just outside the door. If student continues to be disruptive, they discipline policy will be enforced. Students who are inappropriately dressed will be discretely informed that they will need to change into appropriate clothing as per the school dress code. Have the student handbook available to reference dress code policy. Students will be referred to school counselor when the nature of the concern goes beyond the classroom. This may include students who show signs of depression, anxiety, violence or anger, persistent health issues or frequent disruptive/inappropriate behavior.

Classroom Organization Tables will be arranged so that all students can easily see the teacher and whiteboard/screen. Students should be able to move easily throughout the room to access art supplies. When grouping tables, no more than six students will be seated at each table to allow for plenty of workspace and limited distractions. Tables may be rearranged to accommodate various lessons and projects. Substitute plans can be found in a substitute folder. This will be kept on file and will include a schedule and class list along with instructions for taking roll and submitting it to the office. It will also include information on classroom policies and procedures. A back up plan will stay in the folder in the event that teacher absence was unexpected. In all other cases a substitute plan will be prepared with information on each section. Students will be informed in advance that there will be a sub and given specific directions and behavioral expectations. Dress for the first day of school will be professional but creative. For example dress pants and sweater with fun scarf and earrings. The Democratic Ideal will be implemented in my classroom through collaboration in defining class rules and expectations. The Classroom Code of Conduct will be broken down the first day of school and students will agree on definitions of each aspect. Students will understand that our classroom is safe and accepting of all people, cultures, ideas, talents and ability levels. Students will also be given more autonomy in choosing assignments as the semester goes on. Once they have mastered basic skills, projects will be variable based on interests and levels of readiness.