Classroom Management Plan RE-ASSESSMENT

My classroom management plan WAS working somewhat with my students. I don’t know if it is this environment or if my plan was just not going to cut it, but I realize that I need to make some changes. My biggest challenge occurred last week when the entire school schedule changed in the middle of the 2nd 9 weeks of school. Instead of never having the high school class at all for the entire year, now I have them twice a day! It’s still partially effective with my 7th and 8th graders that I’ve had all year. I just realize that I have to do something different with them, because they’ll take a referral in a minute in order to get out of an assignment. Those students who do not have an opportunity to return to their home school will just down right refuse to complete the assignment, because they know they will remain at the alternative school until the next school term.

The high school students are really rebelling against my CM plan, because they did not do ANYTHING in the class they were previously in. Now, in my class they are expected to learn and complete their assignments while behaving appropriately. The students are already rebellious in general, because #1 they are at my school, and #2 they are at my school, because they could not follow rules at their previous school. I know that the rules take time and that I have to keep control, but I feel that the behavior change is not happening fast enough. I know now that I have to be patient, because it will take time to undo all the damage caused by free-range all year. I just feel like I’m beyond that point. My rules and procedures should be in stone by now! Enough whining.

I think my type of writing assignments are not effective, so I’ve decided to change it up a little bit. I’m 1st starting off with behavior analysis/contracts which actually get the parent physically involved. Hopefully, after a parent has to come up to our school a few times for conferences, they’ll be able to say a few things to their child that’ll at least make the child think about their behavior…maybe. I’m really stressing this with my high school students, because they require the most work.

What’s wrong with the writing assignment? I think that it may be too complicated for the students to understand. I plan to make it more basic 3-steps instead of five.

Other problems- Students who do not turn the assignment in on time. Adding the 2nd/3rd page is hard to keep up with. I liked some of the ideas that were brought forth in class. I’m thinking of making the referral the consequence for not turning in the referral the next day when it’s due. It seems nice. You don’t have to keep track of the 2nd or 3rd page and it’s an immediate consequence. The wheels are turning.

My philosophy of classroom management hasn’t changed. I still believe that rules and procedures must be in place so that effective learning can occur. That philosophy has not changed. However, my plan will change and it will work!

I have faith.

September 07 #2: How many students are failing? Why?

In my math class I had only one student to fail. I am so disappointed that he failed, because he KNOWS the information. He just fails to show it on assessments, homework, classwork, or bellwork. Sometimes I think that the work that we do in this class is too advanced for him and he is getting too bored quickly. Conversely, he rushes through his work and does all but almost give up when he does not get a problem on the 1st try.

I spoken with his mother on several occasions and we've come to the conclusion that he is a spoiled baby who is dying for attention. I just began to incorporate different strategies to encourage him to complete his homework. I don't know why this young man is failing. I've conferenced with him several times and he even admitted that he was lazy. I wish I knew what to do with his situation. I don't want to fail him this nine weeks because he knows the material much, much, much better than the others in the class. I feel like my hands are tied and that he’s not trying to do anything to improve his situation. Situations like these make me feel very frustrated. I feel like I’m doing everything possible to help a student, yet they are not doing anything possible to help themselves.

Why do I think students are failing? It’s called apathy. When the grades come out the funniest comment that I always get is, “Why did you give me this grade?” Give! Ha! They never say, “Why didn’t I do my homework or why didn’t I try to pass any of my tests?” This year I know better. I don’t let it get to me too bad and I am doing a better job of showing them that they are responsible for the grade that they receive.

September Blog #1: My favorite part of the day

My favorite part of the day is lunch. I don't know if it's because that is my planning period or if it is the fact that the school day is almost over. I enjoy this time to unwind from the crazy 3 periods before and to prepare for the next 2 periods.

At lunch I have an opportunity to cook my food and to unwind by typing tests or preparing for after school tutoring. Also, I can make those important phone calls and catch up with the secretary. My lunch time is not always fun and games, because I have to stand in and monitor other teachers' rooms while they prepare their lunch. (Our students eat lunch in the rooms.) However, I wouldn't trade my lunch period for anyone else's.

Sometimes I wonder if I indulge in my time too much, because at times, it seems like I begin to dread 12:57, when the class-changing bell rings. I don't think I would be as effective if I had a class during this period, because the class that comes in after my lunch period is very trying. With my sanity break, I am able to better teach them. It's almost like a new beginning after that initial shock of the bell.

During the period after lunch my students tell me that I seem very happy. Little did they know that 30 minutes before I was wondering how I was going to make it through the day. I also feel very energized during this period, because I know that I will need it to keep up with them.

Ah, yes, lunch is the best period because it's my planning period.
The end.