Classroom Management

Clear expectations coupled with logical explanations are key parts in my classroom management strategy. I believe it is important to lay out expectations (rules, routines, norms) in clear terms, with space to question and revise these classroom expectations as a class community.

With this, logical explanations—of rules, routines, consequences, etc.—establish understanding and further intrinsic reasoning skills; part of this is also to proactively emphasize fairness and shared ownership in the class environment. Students sign the document once this draft is done, functioning like a contract, thus agreeing to follow the rules we established. We will continue to revisit and amend various "drafts" of the document as the year progresses.

Some expectations we will present, discuss, and establish at the start of the year are: 

• We will honor others' boundaries - physical and intellectual/emotional.

  • Explain the meaning of boundaries (e.g. 'personal bubbles' vs. "if words cause harm, we will not use them")​

  • Have a discussion - "What kind of are boundaries important to you? Why?"

• Kindness and Respect -  toward ourselves, each other, and our classroom.

  • What does it mean to be kind and respectful to ourselves?​ What does it mean toward others?

  • Group brainstorm on respecting the room: expressing shared ownership.

• Check the board and start your "Do Now" when you enter the classroom.

  • Group discussion: "Do you do better with routines?" (The answer is usually yes, if hard for students to admit!)​

  • What kind of activities/prompts do you like best?

• I will use technology appropriately and I understand that it is a privilege to use technology in the classroom.

  • What does it mean to use technology "appropriately"?​

  • Should we be allowed to use x device? Would it be too distracting to me? Other students? My teacher?

• School or grade-wide rules are discussed, as well, as they are always applicable.

  • We discuss the reasoning behind rules and have a dialogue on specific rules and their consequences.

  • E.g. "If you are tardy to class 3 times, you will receive a lunch detention. Why do you think there is a rule for being tardy to class?"​

• With older students, I will also float the question of: "If I do not follow x expectation, what is a logical consequence?                    What else could/would happen?"