Changes in Management

What would I change about my Classroom Management Plan? Hmmm?? Can I say ‘everything’? No. I suppose, not. Well, the biggest change that I have made is my list of consequences. I really had no choice in this change. I wrote my list of consequences, sat down with my principal, read them aloud, explained them, and listened to her approve of them. When school started, however, I was informed that discipline followed a very particular formula: DEAL WITH IT. My school has no detention available, even though my principal listened and nodded while I told her that detention was my 3rd consequence. Instead, I was given ISS (in school suspension) as an option. I discussed this with my principal, and changed my third consequence to ISS. I explained to all of my students that after working at my desk, they would be sent out of my class – by moi – to ISS. Shortly after, all the students I sent out, walked right back in to class. Turns out I am not allowed to assign ISS – only the principal and assistant principal have this power, and it is not exercised very often. So, my consequences have now, inevitably, changed.

My favorite “new” consequence is the phone call home. Sometimes I tell the students, and sometimes, not so much. I have no consistency about telling the kids, or not telling them. It just depends. I actually find that the lack of consistency here is more frightening to the students. If one kid comes in talking about how I called home unexpectedly, the others are all wondering if I am planning to call their house, as well. Its pretty great. So, in changing my management, first thing to change – after the changes made by administration – would be the amount of contact with the home. The more contact the better. I have had, maybe, one or two unfriendly encounters; but, the more concern I give, and following up phone calls of discipline with phone calls of praise, I find that most parents are just happy to hear that someone is taking care of their kids.

Let’s see – what else? Putting less responsibility on the administration; more communication between teacher and home; and…..better preparation. Something that I never considered being a problem while making the plan was how well prepared I needed to be. I mean, I always considered prep a good and meaningful task, but I never connected it to discipline. I find myself, now, planning extra and alternative activities for the classes that I have the most difficulty with. I also found that busywork, I am a little disgusted to say, keeps them occupied and thinking about math. I never thought I would be someone to advocate busywork, but…

Well, those are the three major changes I have made thus far in my Classroom Management Plan. I’m sure there will be more to come, though.