Mrs.

Sheltons Kindergarten Disclosure

Introduction: There are two things we must give children: The first one is roots, the other, wings (Author Unknown). This quote clearly describes what I believe to be the foundation of an effective classroom management plan. A teacher must keep in mind that the students in their class must be rooted in a consistent plan, but given the freedom to make choices within that plan.

Rules/Responsibilities:
Rules: There will be no more than three to five rules. The rules must be as clear and simple as possible. Some examples of class rules could include: 1) Attentive listening, 2) Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself, and 3) No put-downs. The children will help to create these rules with the guidance of the teacher. Once the rules are decided, they will be posted in the room for future reference. A copy of the rules will also be sent home for parents to view. Establishing the rules with choice allows the students to take ownership of their rules. Responsibilities: Children will not only be given the responsibility of following class rules, but also class jobs that will be given to the children and changed once a month. Establishing jobs will provide the students with the opportunity to practice taking care of their classroom community along with their other classmates. Within this classroom community, both the rules and responsibilities can be maintained if they are backed by intrinsic motivation, consistent implementation, positive reinforcement, and using a teacher voice that clearly expresses expectations.

Celebrations/Consequences:
Celebrations: Time will be taken during the day to catch students doing something worth recognizing. In other words, if a student or students exhibit a positive behavior, then they will be recognized, and provided with positive reinforcement. As expressed earlier, intrinsic motivation is the desired effect. When children are celebrated, they become more motivated to become independent learners. Consequences: As with the class rules, the consequences must also be very specific and consistently carried out. To monitor student behavior I will make it a point to know what is going on in the classroom by observation and floating around the classroom. Students within my class will understand that it is ultimately the effect of their own personal choices which results in certain consequences. They have the choice to follow the rules or not to follow the rules. I strongly believe in the hierarchy of consequences. That is, to begin with the mildest consequences and move on to stricter consequences if the previous are ineffective. For example, I will talk to the child privately outside of the class, then talk to a counselor, and in the end, the parent. The following sequence will occur when enforcing consequences: 1) Nonverbal reminders, 2) Verbal reminders, 3) Nonverbal warnings, and 4) Verbal warnings. No student will be removed from the classroom, except under extreme circumstances. If these techniques provide no positive result, then a conference with the parent and child will be held in which a behavior contract will be drawn up and implemented. Celebrations and consequences are important because they will give the students the choice of how they would like to plan their day.

Class Routine:
Attendance: It is important for students to attend school every day and be on time. This allows the students to take full advantage of all of the learning opportunities that the school can provide for them. When students are late, they will be missing important announcements, morning routines, and literacy-rich education. If students are ill, then please notify me so that I can mark their attendance as an excused absence. When students must be picked up early, notify the office first, then bring the white slip that they give you to our class, and you may then pick up your child. Beginning of the Day: When the students arrive at school they will return their homework folders (if it is Friday), take down chairs, put on their name tags, put their name on the class graph, and practice handwriting at their tables. This will allow the children to properly transition into their school day. Following this activity, the students will then gather together as a whole group to discuss the days schedule, calendar, and any questions or concerns. The days schedule will then be posted in the room for the children to refer back to. Allowing the children to have a consistent schedule will create a more fluid day of learning. Transitions: A variety of strategies will be used to transition the students from one activity to another. For example: Singing songs, having a read-aloud, having a consistent order to activities, maintaining clear expectations, and using teacher presence. Knowing how to plan transitions will, again, create a smoother flow to the day. Centers: During the day the students will have the opportunity to apply what they have learned at individual learning centers. At this time, parents will have the opportunity to volunteer, and help run a center. Recess: The children will have the opportunity to take 15-20 minute recess breaks on the kindergarten playground two times a day, and once a day on the big playground. This will energize and refresh their bodies and minds to learn during their time at school. Bathroom Policy: Throughout the day, if a student needs to use the bathroom he/she will ask the teacher, and proceed to the nearest bathroom. End of the Day: Before class ends, the students will participate in classroom jobs, gather any take home papers and homework, and wait on the rug for the bell to ring. Once the bell rings, the children are to stay in the coat room until their parent/guardians come to pick them up.

Classroom Organization:
Physical Arrangement: The children will keep their belongings and school work in cubbies which will be provided. During assignments the students will utilize the entire classroom area. The classroom will be organized according to subject area. Literacy-rich materials such as books, site words, word walls, and labels will be integrated throughout the entire classroom. Classroom Community: Our classroom will be a safe and nurturing learning environment. All the students will be treated with equity. Diversity will be seen as an opportunity to make learning more meaningful. The students will also come to an understanding that mistakes are ok. The classroom will be a safe place to practice learning. Each student will be valued and needed.

Teaching Procedures:
Curriculum: The information to be taught in the classroom will be based off of the Common Core State Standards (http://www.corestandards.org/). This will provide a base from which all learning will stem. The core allows for some flexibility, and will therefore create an ever-changing learning environment. Because of this, the curriculum will be able to be student-driven. It is important to let children be in charge of their own learning. I will create the curriculum from observation of the whole child, and will prevent lack of participation using the child connections to curriculum. While learning information in the classroom, the children will participate and learn socially through cooperative learning groups and centers. Working with others through cooperative learning is a valuable resource to finding out other information that wouldnt have been learned through independent study. Other resources used to create the curriculum are: Storytown Reading Program, Math Expressions, Early Steps Reading Intervention, Early Reading Intervention, Core Academy, etc Homework: Homework will be created to be completed independently and successfully by each student. Parents/Guardians are not allowed to do the homework for their child, but rather help in scaffolding their childs learning. The assignments will each be unique, and not the same rote activities each time. Following the completion of homework, it will be shared and assessed, but not checked off for a grade.

Homework will be handed out on Mondays in reusable folders and returned each Friday in the homework folders provided.

Assessment:
Informal Assessments: These types of assessments will include such things as: Anecdotes, participation in class, observation, questionnaires, feedback, interviews, etc. Formal Assessments: These types of assessments will include such things as quizzes, tests, portfolios, and grades. Focus: The focus of assessments will be on the students progress and process and not solely the product of their learning. Each learning task will be created more as an active task then a testing task. While implementing curriculum, there will be a learning rubric provided to be able to show if the learning goals for that activity were actually met. I will not assume that a child knows something until I assess them. Assessments will help to provide insights into what prior knowledge children do have. They will also allow me to come to know my students even better, and as a result, plan more developmentally appropriate curriculum.

Collaboration/Communication:
Home: There will be extensive collaboration and communication between school and home. Parents will be called early in the year, and throughout the year. The purpose of the phone calls is to maintain clear communication about concerns, questions, or comments about student progress during the year. If your number ever changes, please notify the office of this change so that your family will continually receive phone updates during the course of the year. During Parent/Teacher Conferences I will be prepared and show

student progress and achievement to help monitor the child, and set proper learning goals for the future. Parents or family members are also more than welcome to come and volunteer in the classroom. Having parent support is a valuable resource for the students and the teacher. Please contact me if you would

like to volunteer in class. Wed love to have you!

School: There will be strong collaboration among the many specialists, teachers, and other staff in the school. In so doing, a model of collaboration will be provided for the students. Students: To establish collaboration and communication among the students in my class, animal groups will be created. The children will be put into small groups which will meet together, and meet in center activities together. Within these groups the students will learn valuable skills such as working together, using their voice, problem-solving if a conflict arises, and create a positive classroom environment.

Mrs. Sheltons Information:

Email: melinda.black@slcschools.org Phone: 801-481-4833 ext.118 School Hours: 8:00 am-3:30 pm Blog: http://mrssheltonskg.blogspot.com/

***KEEP THIS PAGE FOR YOUR RECORDS!!! *APPOINTMENTS: Please notify me in advance if you would like to meet with me. Due to the planning and preparation that goes into teaching your children, it is best to schedule a meeting ahead of time. Thank you.

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Please sign this form, and RETURN IT TO SCHOOL to confirm that you have read and understood Mrs. Sheltons classroom management system. Thank you!

Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature: _____________________________________