First grade classroom management plan

Teacher: Kelly Bennet

Beliefs about Classroom environment

 The room should be neat and tidy.
 The room should be organized with supplies in designated locations.
 The room should not be distracting.
 The room should be welcoming and warm for the students to feel comfortable.
 There should be a seating arrangement that helps all students move around the room.
 Students should have a place to place their items in from home.
 Lighting should be great for all students to see the white board, smart board, and at
their desks.
 There should be a designated area for students to calm down in.
 The classroom library should be inviting and have a spot to choose a book.
 The classroom should not have any trip hazards and windows should be locked.
 The classroom should have a place for artwork or great work completed.
 The classroom environment should be quiet for all students to complete their
assignments.
 The room should have an area for play time.
 The students should feel engaged and supported
 Students should feel connected to other students and teacher
 Students should be seated where they cannot look out the window or out the door.
 The teacher and students should only speak positively while in the classroom
 Students and teacher should be treated with respect at all times.
 Students should be encouraged to participate
 Students should be allowed to explore and have a say in their learning.
 Resources should have easy access
 Learning should be viewed as fun and exciting.
 Students will be given time for classroom group work
 Rules, schedule and behavior chart will be posted
 Important words will be posted throughout the room
 Encouraging posters will be posted
 Materials and shelves will be labeled
 Students’ names are posted on their desks, homework mailboxes, and cubbies for their
personal items
 Daily jobs are posted
 Students are encouraged to achieve their potential
 The classroom will have games that the students will play
Thoughts on general classroom management
 Classrooms should be quiet and orderly
 Classrooms should have rules
 Classrooms should make students feel comfortable and accepted
 Classrooms should have schedules and should be followed as much as possible
 Students and teacher should develop good relationships
 The students should be taught what is expected of them in the classroom
 Students should also be taught how to use time wisely
 Behavior should be taught to students
 Consequences should be enforced for not following the rules
 The classroom and the day to day activities should be consistent
 Teacher should plan for all times throughout the day
 The teacher should have compassion and empathy
 Classrooms should be organized
 Boundaries should be set
 Teachers should use verbal and non-verbal reinforcement
 The classroom should feel safe at all times and they feel they can voice their opinions
 Students self esteem should be built throughout the school year
 Attention getters should be incorporated and taught
 Students should be given good explanations
 Teacher should have well defined expectations for bathroom, lunch room, recess, and
for the classroom
 Teachers should model the behavior that they expect from their students
 All students in the classroom should not be punished for a few of students with bad
behavior.
 Classroom learning should be student led at times
 Students should get rewards for working hard or achieving milestones
 Teacher should make exciting lesson plans
 Teacher should supply all needs that students may have
 Teacher should address bad behavior immediately
 Teachers should supply students with curriculum that they can achieve and is
 Transitions should be smooth
 Students should be given choices
 Teacher should be open and honest
 Teacher should practice patience with students
 Change teaching methods if it is not working
 All students should feel supported when they are from different cultures
 Teacher should get to know students on a personal level
Classroom discipline
 Punishment for bad behavior should never occur
 Expectations should be discussed
 Teacher should have a plan in place for unacceptable behavior
 Students should be rewarded for positive behavior
 Teacher should remain fair at all times
 Teacher should be consistent on behavior expectations
 Students should be supported in making good decisions.
 Bad behavior should be stopped immediately
 Students should be reminded of rules and expectations
 Boundaries should be set from day 1
 Teacher and student should discuss privately the bad choices that they made
 Students should be given what they need to help them make better choices
 Teacher should remain calm during a unacceptable behavior issue
 Teacher should model good choices
 Students who make bad choices often should have goals in place to help achieve better
behavior
 Teachers should give positive reinforcement
 Students who make bad decisions should be moved close to the teacher
 Teacher should help students determine what is good and bad choices
 Teacher can give good behavior certificates
 Students should be treated with dignity when being disciplined
 Teachers should try to teach students how to act responsibly
 Teachers should give verbal warnings
 Teachers should try to figure out what happens when bad behavior occurs and fix the
problems
 Teacher should discuss the consequences for bad choices
 Rules should be clear
 Do not give attention for bad choices unless it may cause harm to student or to other
students
 Teacher should teach students skills for the bad choices so they can learn how to act
appropriately

Classroom beliefs
I believe that students learn by doing and not by just listening to a lecture this has been
discussed by Jean Piaget. To me this means that hands on activities help students learn
better than just listening to lectures. In the article, “Students Think Lectures Are best, but
research says that They’re wrong,” stated that students preferred having lectures over
working with hands on activities and deep thinking. During research even though that
students preferred lectures over hands on activities they scored higher on tests after they
completed hands on learning. I feel that teachers should present students with information
but also create learning opportunities that require them to do projects and think beyond
what was taught. I feel that students will place this information into their long term
memory better because of the experiences that they had with the material. I also think that
teachers can make learning more interesting and engaging when they give them hands on
learning activities.
I also believe that constructivism learning theory is correct. I feel that students “construct
their understanding and knowledge of the world through experiencing things and reflecting
on those experiences.” (Bhattacharjee 65) I feel that students bring background knowledge
with them when they come into the classroom. They will put their past knowledge and
apply it to the new things that they are learning. I feel that it helps them continue to build
upon that knowledge. I also think that they use their past feelings and apply the feelings
when they are reading stories or writing their papers. “Learning occurs as they actively are
involved in a process of meaning and knowledge construction.” (Bhattacharjee 67) This also
goes back to my first belief that hands on learning is better than a lecture. This means that
when students are involved in activities then they are involved in the process and are
constructing meaning.

Works cited
Bhattacharjee, Jayeeta, “Constructivist Approach to Learning- An effective Approach
Of Teaching Learning.” Retrieved from: 1707-1438677336.pdf (oaji.net)
Terada, Youki, “ Students think Lectures Are best, but research suggest They’re wrong.”

Retrieved from: Students Learn More With Active Learning, Despite Preferring Lectures |
Edutopia
Dear students,

I am so happy to have you in my class this year! We are going to learn so much and have a great
time together. I cannot wait to get to know you and find out what you like to do at home and what
you like best about school.

I want you to know a few things about me so you will not be scared on your first day at school. I
love to swim and go boating with my family. I also love to read. I love going to the beach and eating
ice cream. I love to spend time with my students at school.

I hope you are excited to start school and I cannot wait to meet you. This will be a wonderful year
with a lot of laughs and a lot of fun times while learning alot.

Sincerely yours,

Kelly Bennett
Dear First Grade Families,

I am so happy to have your child in my classroom this year! We are going to have a great time
this year with many different learning techniques. I just thought that I would introduce myself and give
you information about our year together. My name is Kelly Bennett. I am a first year certified teacher. I
graduated from Bluefield State College on April 30, 2022. I was a lead preschool teacher for almost 5
years and loved every minute of it. I love children and love teaching lessons that they can take with
them for life. I love boating, swimming, and going to the beach. I will be sending home questionaires
for you and your child to fill out so I can learn more about your child and your family.

In first grade we will be focusing on reading and math skills to build upon what they learned in
kindergarten. This is a year with huge growth in reading, writing, and spelling. I do not believe in a lot of
homework but rather send home optional work instead. If you feel that your child needs extra help in
certain areas then please complete the optional work for extra help. If your child completes that extra
work they will receive play money. Your student will be receivkng play money for completing extra work,
reading at home, being nice to others, helping others, and volunteering their thoughts and opinions in
our classwork. Students at the end of every month will turn in their play money for prizes. I will be
sending home decodable readers every night for your child to read. They must be signed daily. If they
return them signed they will receive play money. Students will also need to study 3 to 4 fequency words
each week and 5 spelling words each week. If they do well on those tests they will also receive play
money.

I have planned a lot of fun activities for your child to do this year. We will be doing a lot of
group work, centers, and interventions. We will be learning about many things by reading many books
together. I will also be having school parties in my classroom and will have a small Christmas program in
our room. I cannot wait for your child to go home excited for the things that we did in the classroom.

Discipline in my classroom will be based on a color chart. Students will all start on the top and
each time that they are making bad choices they will be lowered on the chart. If they get to the bottom
of the chart I will be sending home a note with them explaining what happened that day. If you do not
receive a note then your student did everything that was expected of them that day. In the first couple
of days at school I will discus with your child the rules and expections. There will be a few weeks that
we will be focusing on what is expected of them so you will not be receiving notes because they will be
learning.

There are some dates that you need to keep in mind. August 21 st is open house, On August 22 it
will be your child’s first day of school. On August 30 paperwork must be turned in. Everyday students
are allowed to bring in a snack or you can donate snacks for the entire class. Please send in only healthy
choices. Also, on September 5 we will not have school due to Labor Day. If students will be picked up
early, please send a note with them that morning or send an email before lunch.

Please if you have any questions at all just ask. My planning period is from 12:30 to 1:00. My
email is kellybennett@greenbriercountyschools.edu I look forward to meeting you and your child.
 Sincerely yours,

Kelly Bennett

Procedures for arrival

When students arrive by the bus there will be a teacher in front of the school to help
your child off of the bus. Your student will then go straight to their classrooms. On the first day
of school a teacher will be there to assist them in finding the correct classroom. Students will
remain in the classroom until the start of their school day which is at 8:00. If parents are
dropping off students they must take their student to the side entrance of the school. There
will be a teacher there to assist them into the building and also another teacher to help them to
their correct classroom. If students are being dropped off late then parents must park in
designed area in front of the building and sign them into the office.

Procedures for departure

Students will remain in their classrooms until their bus is called. Each bus will be called
individually and in the exact order daily. Students that will be picked up will occur at 3:20 pm.
Students will need to wait for the announcement before they will be released. If you are
picking your student up please go to the side of the school in the same are as drop off. If you
are picking up your student early then please park in designated area and go to the office and
sign your child out. The office will then call for your student to come to the office for pickup.

Tardy/Absence procedure
If your child is tardy please park in front of the school in the designed area and walk
your child into the office and sign them in. If your child is absent then send in a note or excuse
from your child’s doctor. In your note please state reason for absence, date, and your signature
within 3 days of the absence.

Homework procedure
Homework must be made up in two days for each absence. Homework may be picked
up in the office anytime that the parent chooses to come to the school. I will be sending home a
list of makeup work with all the assignments on the day of the return of the student.

Attention getters
I will be doing a little saying like 1,2,3 eyes on me then the class must repeat and then
place their eyes on the teacher. I will also be doing a clapping technique. I will clap 3 times and
the students will then clap 3 times. I will also hold up my hand in the zero position. That means
that students must not say a word and hold up their hand in the zero position.

Line-up/ Hallway/restroom procedure

 Anytime students are to line up they must follow the line leader helper for that day.
They must be in a single line and hold up their hands with the zero motion. Students are not to
run in the hallways or talk. They are to hold up their zeros until they reach their location. In
the restroom students may use the restroom, wash their hands, and come immediately out of
the restroom. The restrooms will be checked after every student in the class is finished to make
sure all students are out and did not make a mess. Students are not allowed to run or yell in
the bathroom.

Bullying procedures
Students are not allowed to bully any student at any time. If a student bullies another student
they must apologize to that student and write them an apology note. Parents will be notified
on first occasion. On second occasion parents will be notified and student will be sent to the
principal’s office. If a student hits another student they will immediately go to the principal’s
office. We do not tolerate bullying at anytime and actions will occur at each occurrence. If a
student witnesses someone being bullied they must notify a teacher that is present of what is
occurring or what occurred immediately as they see it happen. If a student is being bullied they
must notify a teacher immediately. They may ask to speak to the teacher in private if they
wish.

Classroom rules/discipline
 Be kind to others
 Be prepared at all times
 Listen to directions
 Be respectful at all times
 Do your best and have fun
These rules will be the teachers rules
Students will be given the chance on the first day of class to discuss more rules that they would
like to add. They will be allowed to add 3 additional rules. I feel like my rules are needed to
have a successful and safe school year.
Students will have a color chart. They will all start at green at the beginning of the day.
When students make bad choices they will be moved down the different colors. They will have
5 chances each day before a note is send home to their parents. The colors will be green,
yellow, orange, blue, red. Once they hit red a note will be sent home and the student will not
be able to participate in the computer games lab time. If 3 student notes are sent home they
will then visit the principal.
 Philosophy of education
this was one of my previous bulletin boards that I created when I was a teacher. I love
the meaning of it!

To do list
 Make bulletin board
 Send parent notes home
 Arrange room
 Make classroom library appealing
 Post my encouraging posters
 Post my rules and schedule
 Post my behavior chart
 Make labels for materials and shelves
 Prepare lesson plans
 Pick out music for transitions
 Pick out my learning board
 Learn how to work smart board
 Clean and organize room
 Make student name labels
 Make calming corner

First day script

 When my students arrive I will greet them in the hallway and give them high 5’s. I
will ask them to tell me one thing about themselves. I will then tell them one thing
about myself.
 Students will be allowed to play with toys while we wait for class to begin.
 When class begin I will begin by taking role and lunch count
 We will then read a book together about the first day of school
 I will then give student a warm up activity. Students will need to turn to the person
beside them and tell them their names and one thing that they did during the
summer.
 We will then have a class discussion. I will introduce myself and tell about my
summer. I will go around the room and ask students to say their names.
 I will then begin to discuss my classroom procedures using a comic book that I
created.
 I will discuss rules and allow students to give suggestions of what they think 3 more
rules should be.
 We will then watch a fun YouTube video of first day jitters.
 After lunch and recess we will then do a fun game called guess what I am.
 Students will have a moment to talk to learn more about each other
 I will then go over rules, Bathroom procedures and hallway procedures again.
 Students will then play an interactive game on the smartboard
 We will then gather students items together have snack.
 Students will be allowed to watch a book being read to them
 Students will be released as their buses are called.

Classroom procedure being taught.

 Teaching my rules will be done by the students viewing a comic book that I
created.
 We will discuss each page thoroughly.
 Students will be given an opportunity to discuss 3 new rules that they believe
should be included into the rules page.
 We will then discuss situations that may occur using printed monsters.
 Students will give ideas on if the monsters are making good decisions based on
the rules that we went over previously.
 Throughout the day students will be reminded the rules
 Students will be receiving feedback from me if they are not acting appropriately
 I will guide the students into the decisions that they should be making.

Daily schedule
7:15-8:00 greet students and students play with toys on the
carpet
8:00-8:15 roll call and lunch count
8:15-8:45 Reading of book and discussion of book
8:45-9:00 students will talk to student next to them and then
a class discussion learning name and introductions.
9:00-9:30 Classroom procedures discussion using monsters in
situations.
9:30-9:45 view video
9:45-10:15 watch fun video of first day jitters
10:15-10:30 art
10:30-11:00 drawing how they feel on the first day of school,
restroom break
11:00-11:30 lunch time
11:30-12:00 recess
12:00-12:45 game called guess what I am
12:45-1:15 students should go to centers to color, play, or
play games on the computer
1:15-2:00 discussion of rules, expectations, and procedures
2:00-2:30 gather items to go home, select book to rent out
2:30-2:45 snack, restroom breaks
2:45-3:00 discuss our day and sing our goodbye song
3:00-3:30 students going to buses and pickups.