BEDUC 406 Classroom Management

My master teacher's classroom management plan entails individual, group, and whole class management. She is very focused on teaching them how to become more responsible for themselves and for their things and for the group as whole community so these plans highlight the importance of all factors.

Individual- she is always quick to give praise to the kiddos who are following directions and staying on task. She will praise the child individually and as a whole group. On all of their desks, they have a "goal sheet" with a picture of a football goal that is made up of individual boxes. When told, they can color in these boxes until they fill the entire goal post and once filled, they get a prize from the prize box, which is "education" aimed such as pencils, erasers or something they can use in school. She also uses individual cards- a behavioral check in. 4 different colors reflecting 4 different consequences. She had not talked about this in class yet, so I have not heard her describe this to the children, yet. I just know it's there in the room.

Team- the desks are grouped in teams of 3 and 4 and each team as their own color. When the entire team is following rules and directions, they are awarded stars. The most stars collected, the more times that team will be first to line up, get books, go to the carpet etc. This is really a way to instill good team working habits and allows for scaffolding to take place so there isn't a whole mob of kids going to one area at one time.

Class community- My master teacher has a large puzzle of "Sammy the Squirrel." When the whole class is being praised for doing what they need to do, then a piece of the puzzle is taken off. The idea is to have the puzzles pieces removed to see what is behind the puzzle...Since I put the puzzle together, it's a popcorn party for the whole class. She informed the students of how the puzzle works and that it could take a few weeks to see what the surprise is. I believe she has different surprises that she could use so they are interested in what lies behind the pieces through out the entire year. I'll have to ask her about that. Otherwise, I would think once reached, the kids wouldn't be that in tune to finding out what is behind the pieces, thus making this strategy not a working one.