The ABC’s

Of

Classroom

Management

Acts of Service

This is one of the five love languages. It emphasizes communicating that you love a

child by performing acts of service for them. As an educator, I will be performing an act of service for each of my students by educating

them. As I learn about my students, I will keep this love language in mind for those who

respond well to acts of service.

Source: The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman

Attendance

Attendance is a vital part of the educational process. It is essential that students are at

school to learn and explore. Taking attendance is a part of the beginning of the

day. One way to do this is to use Color Cards. Students’ names are written on card

slot. There is a card in each slot with a green and a red side. As students enter the class, they flip the card so that the green side is

facing out.

Source: Kagan Handout “classroom Procedures”

Auditory Learners

An auditory learner learns best by hearing instruction orally. This means that they will

benefit most from lectures, discussions, and songs. They will also listen to your tone of

voice. As a teacher, I want to make sure that I give my students oral directions and questions. I want to have discussions in my classrooms so my students can hear each other’s opinions.

Source: All EDU Classes

Balance

You need to make sure that you have a balance of methods of running your

classroom. This means you need to vary your instruction by having lecture,

hands-on activities, and technology. As a teacher, I want to make sure to keep balance in my classroom to ensure my students are getting the best possible

education. Source: All EDU Classes

Callbacks

Callbacks are a way of getting students’ attention. The teacher says a phrase and the

students “call back” by responding. I think that callbacks are effective, efficient, and fun. I

want to utilize them in my classroom because I think that are a great classroom management

tool.

Source: Callback Notes from EDU 403

Climate

As a teacher, you need to create a warm, comfortable, safe environment for your

students. This requires constantly assessing yourself and your class to see how you are

performing. It also requires taking the students’ feelings and needs into account. I want to

provide a climate for my students that they will be able to enjoy and learn in.

Source: “Top 5 Classroom Management” Notes from EDU 403

Celebrations

Students’ efforts need to be celebrated. It will give them a sense of pride and ownership in

everything they do. Celebrations are fun, get kids moving, and promote self-esteem. I want to

use celebrations in my classroom to let my students know that they are doing things that

are worthwhile.

Source: Celebrations List from EDU 403

Democracy When it comes to classroom management, an

interactionist teacher operates in a way that allows both the teacher and the students to have a say in the

classroom. This operates like a democracy, where voting is often involved in the decision making process. I want to have a democratic classroom because I feel

that giving students a say in what goes on is important. I also think it will prepare them to make more decisions

in the real world.

Source: All EDU Classes

Expectations As a teacher, you need to make sure your students know your expectations. This will

guarantee effective classroom management. You can communicate these expectations to your students by teaching them the routines and procedures for your classroom. I want my

students to know what I expect of them and to exceed my expectations.

Source: 1st Visit to Branson Primary in EDU 403

First Day

The first day of school is a crucial even in the lives of students. It is essential that you are

prepared. The first day and first week of school should be spent getting students

accustomed to routines and procedures. I love the book “The First Day of School” by Harry Wong. I want the first day of school to be successful so the rest of the year will be

guaranteed to be awesome!

Source: EDU 201, 211, 403

File System

A great way to keep your classroom organized is to use a file system. I want to have individual

student folders for work samples and documentation and Friday folders for sending work home each week. I would also use folders for each unit of study, each day of the week,

and for school forms. Keeping organized is very important to me and I feel that a file folder system will help me accomplish that.

Source: Teachers.Net Gazette August 2002

Gifts

This love language emphasizes showing children that you love them through meaningful gifts.

Children whose primary love language is gifts will show excitement for how the gift is given and display their gifts in a special spot where they

can see it. As a teacher, I want to make sure to address this love language in my classrooms to

ensure my students feel loved.

Source: “The Five Love Languages of Children” by Gary Chapman

Good Job!

Teachers should always praise their students for doing a “great job”. However, there are

many different ways to tell them that. If you use the same phrase over and over again, they

will begin to think that you aren’t being sincere. Also, you need to be specific so students know

exactly what they did well. I want to let my students know that they are doing the right

things by using fun and exciting phrases.

Source: 100 Ways to say “Very Good” Handout

GLE’s

Grade Level Expectations are the standards that dictate what our students should be learning. There are a lot of them to cover so adequate planning is absolutely necessary.

Making sure that you have resources that emphasize your GLE’s is a must. You should plan out when and how you will teach the GLE’s for each subject area. I want to make sure that

I cover all the GLE’s for my students.

Source: All EDU Classes

Hello, Handshake, Hug, High 5

The Four H’s are a great way to make sure your classroom climate is inviting. Letting each child choose a H for a greeting or

goodbye is a way to connect with them. I want to use this in my classroom to let my students know I am happy they are there.

Source: The Four H’s Handout from EDU 403

Harry Wong

Harry Wong is a motivational speaker, a teacher, and a genius. I love how he

emphasizes classroom management, not punishment. His advice is full of pearls of

wisdom. I want to integrate his ideas into my classroom because I know they will help

make me successful.

Source: Harry Wong “Procedures and Routines” Video from EDU 403

Inclusion

One great advance that has been made in education is allowing special needs students to

be included in the regular classroom. As a teacher, I will need to be prepared to meet

these students’ needs. Differentiation is a key element in making inclusion a success.

Source: All EDU Classes

Jobs

Giving each student a job in the classroom helps teach kids responsibility. It also gives them a sense

of ownership for their classroom. I want to involve my students by giving them classroom jobs.

I would organize them by using a pocket chart with a slot for each job. I would have each

student’s picture in whichever slot their job for the day was.

Source: Teachers.Net Gazette August 2002 From EDU 403

Kinesthetic Kinesthetic learners will learn best

through activities that have movement or are hands-on. I want to make sure to address the needs of my kinesthetic

learners in the classroom so that will reap the full benefits of my instruction.

Source: All EDU Classes

Laundry List

Every teacher will have a laundry list of things they need to get done each day, week, month, and year. It is important to balance

the items on your laundry list. You also need to realize that you need to prioritize in order to get the most important things done first. Although the list will seem like it never ends, you will get everything accomplished if you work hard and are organized. When I am a

teacher, I want to make sure that I complete my laundry list but that I put myself and my

family first.

Source: Laundry List Activity from EDU 403

Love Languages

A love language is how a person feels loved. There are five love languages: touch, words of

affirmation, gifts, quality time, and acts of service. It is especially important to know each of your students’ love languages so you will be able to meet their needs. As a teacher, I want to use the Love Languages method to meet the needs of my students and to make them

feel truly loved.

Source: “The Five Love Languages of Children” by Gary Chapman

Magic Triad The Magic Triad is a classroom climate method that will have a positive effect on the success

of your students. It consists of a touch, a smile, and kind words. When I am in my classroom, I

want to use the Magic Triad to create a welcoming environment where my students will

be successful.

Source: “The Magic Triad” Handout from EDU 403

News Call

A news call is when you recognize a student for doing something good. It doesn’t have to be magnificent but if they are doing well, they should be recognized. You

can fill out a “Great News!” form for them to take home. Then you or the principal can call their parents and let them know about what a wonderful job their

child is doing. This is a great way to have communication with the parents and to emphasize making good choices to the students. I want to use News Calls to keep my parents informed and help my

classroom to run smoothly. Source: “Great News!” Handout from EDU 403

Organization

Being organized is a must for an effective classroom teacher. I am a very organized

person so I know that I will want my classroom to be organized. I want to use file folders,

labels, and pictures to organize my room. I also want to organize my curriculum into units,

months, weeks, and days. I feel that the key to being a great teacher is being organized and

keeping your students interested.

Source: All EDU Classes

Procedures

“A procedure is an established method for how you complete a task.” This quote from Kagan

perfectly captures the essence of procedures. When you teach your students procedures, you

teach them how to do specific tasks, like sharpening a pencil. The most important

procedures should be taught first and then the rest will follow. In my classroom, I want my

students to know the procedures and have a say in what they are.

Source: “Classroom Procedures” by Kagan

Professional Learning Community

PLC’s are made up of teachers and staff who work in the same grade or are in the same

building. They meet together on a regular basis to collaborate. They plan out their lessons, bounce ideas off of each other, and work to solve issues

in the classroom. I value the idea of PLC’s because I feel that it gives you an opportunity to

use your fellow teachers as a resource. I also think it is a form of support for teachers.

Source: “Classroom Procedures” by Kagan

Parents

Parents are extremely important in a classroom. They come with the kids as a package deal so it is important to remember that

they need to feel like they belong too. You should make sure to keep communication open with all your parents. You can also recruit them to volunteer in the classroom or in other areas.

Parents are a great resource and can help in so many different ways. I want to work together with the parents of my students to make sure their child is successful at school and at home.

Source: All EDU Classes

Quality Time

Quality time is the love language that is communicated by spending meaningful

time with a child. With this love language, it is important to remember

that the quality of time is more important than the quantity. As a

teacher, I want to make sure and give each of my students the quality time

they need.

Source: “The Five Love Languages of Children” by Gary Chapman

Routines

Routines are what you do and when you do it. They help give structure to the day and keep the class running smoothly. Examples

of routines are going over the daily schedule and taking regular brain breaks. I want to utilize routines in my classroom to

give my students a sense of order. I also want to use them help keep students

interested and on task.

Source: “Daily Routines” by Kagan

Self Evaluation

As a teacher, it is important that you constantly take time to evaluate yourself. You can ask

yourself questions about how you are performing in the classroom and how your

students think of you. You can evaluate yourself in the mirror and do a “Neck-up Check-up”. As a teacher, I want to evaluate myself on a regular basis to make sure I am giving my students my best. I also want to have my students evaluate

themselves and our class on a regular basis. Source: “Self Evaluation” Handouts from EDU 403

Touch

This love language is communicated through physical touch. Children whose primary love

language is touch need to be hugged, given high-fives, patted on the back, or read to while sitting

on your lap. I want to be able to communicate this love language to all of my students. One way

I would do this is by using the 4 H’s. Although every H doesn’t involve physical touch, there are the choices of a Hug or a High-Five for students.

Source: “The Five Love Languages of Children” by Gary Chapman

Technology

Technology is a vital and living part of the world and education. It is crucial that teachers use technology in their classrooms. Students are

familiar with it and they will show more interest. It also provides countless opportunities for

differentiated instruction. I want to use technology in my classroom because I know that we live in a technological world. I also want to

show my students what can be done with technology.

Source: All EDU Classes

Unique

As an educator, it is important to remember that each student you have is unique in their own way. This means that they have unique learning styles, abilities, problems,

and ideas. You need to include all of the learning styles in order to meet their needs. Utilize their abilities to reach activities where they can do higher level thinking. Know what their problems are and how to address them. Let

them voice their ideas and have a say in the classroom. I appreciate the fact that all of my students will be

different. I know that teaching will be challenging but it will be the most rewarding thing I can do.

Source: All EDU Classes

Visual

Visual learners take in information by seeing it. They respond well to drawings, modeling, charts, pictures, etc. A visual learner will want to make a list, graphic organizer, or draw out a response. They need to see

something in order to understand it. I want to address the needs of visual learners in my classroom by incorporating these types of instruction and

assignments into my curriculum.

Source: All EDU Classes

Words of Affirmation

This love language is communicated through positive language. A child whose primary love language is words of affirmation needs to hear that you love them. They thrive on compliments. When you are giving words of affirmation, you need to be specific. Otherwise, the

child may think that you aren’t being sincere. I want to use words of affirmation in my classroom to orally communicate to each of my students that they are

special and are loved.

Source: “The Five Love Languages of Children” by Gary Chapman

X-Ray Vision

Teachers must have x-ray vision and other superpowers just like superheroes. They are a

jack-of-all trades and will have a wide variety of tasks they must complete. They save the world

by educating children so that we can have a bright future. I want to be a superhero to my students and my community by being the best

teacher I can be.

Source: All EDU Classes

Yes to Success!

Positive thinking is an essential part of being an effective teacher. If you have a positive

attitude, anything is possible. Keeping a positive outlook will reduce stress and ensure success.

Your students will look to you for how they should feel about school. When they see that

you are positive, they will be too. I want to keep a positive attitude about teaching and school so that I will be happy in what I do. I also want my

students to be happy in the classroom.

Source: All EDU Classes

Zigzag

All of the topics discussed in previous letters are connected. If you zigzag your way through, you will see that they are integrated into each other. They are all essential pieces of a much bigger picture. When I put them all together, I have created a strong classroom management plan. I am confident that my plan will

make me a successful teacher. Although no classroom management plan is perfect, I feel that I am

comfortable with mine. I know that in the future, this plan will serve me well.

Source: All EDU Classes