LINTHICUM’S MASTER PORTFOLIO 1

According to Harry and Mary Wong (1998), “The effective teacher establishes good

control of the class in the very first week of school” (p. 4). The Wong’s describe control as

teachers knowing what they are doing, classroom procedures, knowing your professional

responsibilities, and setting clear expectations for your students. I strongly believe that if you do

not have effective classroom management skills then learning takes a back seat in the classroom.

Setting clear expectation for your classroom, holding students accountable for established

classroom rules, keeping student cooperation, and maintaining a learning environment are all

essential to maintaining a healthy, happy, and productive classroom environment where learning

is the main goal.

Here is an ICO (ideal classroom outline) that I created that includes demographics,

philosophy, academic excellence, classroom organization, monthly and year planning, daily

classroom procedures, behavior management plan, motivation, parents and community, and

professionalism. It is essential for teachers to have a classroom outline with the elements I listed

about in place prior to the school year starting in order to have a successful school year. My

overall classroom expectation is that everyone treats each other the way they would like to be

treated. My classroom moto is “Be kind to one another”. My philosophy on discipline it that I

will provide options that encourage others to make good choices. The love and logic approach to

teaching by Jim & Charles Fay (2016) supports my beliefs. They believe that the classroom

should be built on mutual respect and dignity where students are encouraged and empowered to

make good choices. “We bring out the best out of others when we: help them feel special, focus

mostly on what they do well, show that we are genuinely like and appreciate them, have high

expectations and hold them accountable, and love them for who they are” (Fay & Fay, 2016, p

7).
LINTHICUM’S MASTER PORTFOLIO 2

Setting high expectations and holding students accountable is another important element

to a successful classroom. An effective teacher sets clear expectations, knows the curriculum

expectations, and differentiates accordingly for maturation, cultural differences, and cognitive

differences. “The belief in positive expectations is based on the research that whatever the

teacher expects from the learner is what the learner will produce” (Wong & Wong, 1998, p. 27).

I provided a plan in my ICO that was specific to my kindergarten classroom that helped to

prepare me for the year to come in my classroom. I was able to look at specific goals for each

subject and plan accordingly.

Effective classroom management also includes keeping students’ cooperation through

motivation and maintaining a knowledge-centered learning environment. According to Williams

(2009), “motivated students will make our classrooms easier, more relaxed learning

environments. Teaching motivated students is fun and exciting because students find learning

easier and worthwhile” (p. 62). It is very important to choose activities that involve and engage

students. Activities that involve movement, cooperative learning, and discovering information

for themselves all offer student engagement. Paying attention and figuring out which activities

truly engage your students are key. Being brutally honest with yourself about what is working

and what needs adjusted or eliminated from an approach is also very important.

Planning and being consistent with a behavior plan is critical for classroom management.

According to Capizzi (2009) “Establishing a well-organized plan for classroom management at

the onset of the year is essential for a peaceful and calm classroom that is conductive to

instruction and learning for students with a variety of academic, social, and behavioral needs”

(p.1). In my ICO listed above, I have a plan for minor to major difficulties that helps me
LINTHICUM’S MASTER PORTFOLIO 3

managing issues that might come up in the classroom. I make sure that I inform both students

and parents about what classroom expectations are so everyone involved knows what to expect.

Creating a classroom for optimal student engagement and learning is so very important.

Having an ICO has helped me ensure that I will be successful in creating a positive learning

environment where learning is the main goal. Establishing classroom procedures and having a

classroom management plan in place is essential for success. Creating a classroom environment

that is positive, kind, energetic, and safe is not only my responsibility but is a must if learning is

going to take place. Being empathic and empowering children to make positive choices is also

key to successful classroom management.

LINTHICUM’S MASTER PORTFOLIO 4

References:

Capizzi, A., (2009). Start the year off right: Designing and evaluating a supportive classroom

management plan. Focus on Exceptional Children, 42(3), 1-12. Retrieved from:

http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.uas.alaska.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer

?vid=7&sid=967fe003-0689-4dba-b37f-8639ffb1c77d%40pdc-v-sessmgr01

Fay, J. & Fay, C. (2016). Teaching with love and logic: Taking control of the classroom. Love

and Logic Institute, Inc.

Williams, K. C. (2009). Elementary classroom management: A student-centered approach to

leading and learning. SAGE Publications, Inc. Retrieved from:

http://web.b.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.uas.alaska.edu/ehost/ebookviewer/ebook/bm

xlYmtfXzQ3Nzk3NF9fQU41?sid=3445f082-b3b1-4460-a96a-

ab8c2e4da912@pdc-v-sessmgr05&vid=6&format=EB&rid=4

Wong, H.K., & Wong, R.T. (1998). The first days of school: How to be an effective teacher.

Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.