How to Write a Classroom Management Plan

A classroom management plan dictates student behavior in an academic environment. It allows teachers to keep students on task and engaged. An effective classroom management plan includes a list of rules, consequences and rewards tailored to the needs of the teacher and the students. It also provides standards of behavior that students can easily understand.

Instructions

1. Create a concise list of rules. Classroom rules are most effective when they do not overwhelm the student, so list no more than 10. Each rule should be broad enough to encompass multiple behaviors.

2. Select appropriate consequences. Consider your students' age group and ability levels. Younger students may need more warnings before they are assigned punishment. Students who have more experience and are familiar with basic behavioral guidelines can face consequences more quickly.

3. Establish levels of consequences based on the number of offenses. For example, the list of consequences can include a verbal warning for the first offense and the student's name on the board for the second offense. This hierarchy system---and reminders of classroom rules---will help students modify their behavior.

4. Reward positive behavior. Set up an individual or classroom reward system to encourage students to exhibit continued positive behavior.

5. Hand out guidelines. Give the students a list on the first day of school and allow them to share classroom management policies with their parents.

6. Make a poster. Display your rules, consequences and rewards in the classroom so students can refer to it throughout the year and so you can more easily point out violations.

References

• Education World: Classroom Management Tips
• Scholastic: Classroom Management, Right From the Start