Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Behavior Management Plan, Revised

Classroom Management Plan, revised
*revised from original
Classroom Management
Contact Information/ Demographics
Rebecca Blair, Secondary Special Education Teacher
123-456-7890
rebeccablair@email.com

Statement of Purpose
Our classroom will be a safe, positive and relaxed environment that facilitates learning. Students will actively and respectfully participate in the classroom. (Secondary, Resource Room)

Rules and Relationships
Rules:
1. Be in your seat working on the bell assignment when the bell rings.
2. Be respectful of all individuals, materials and space in the classroom.
3. Be prepared by completing all assignments on time.
4. Follow all directions promptly the first time they are given.
5. Bring all necessary materials to class.

Strategies for teaching rules to students
The rules will be explicitly taught on the first day of class. They will be posted in 2 places in the classroom, on opposite walls. Each of the rules will be briefly taught using direct instruction. The class will discuss the rules together, talking about examples and non examples. They will be printed in a behavioral contract that will be signed by each of the students, after a short quiz to check for understanding of rules.

Strategies for booster sessions and reteaching
Individual rules will be retaught as deemed necessary by the teacher. Additionally, the class will periodically (two to three times per month) have short quizzes on the rules which will be worth 2 points of extra credit.

Method of informing parents of rules:
If parents attend a parent teacher meeting before school starts, rules will be explained to them then and they will receive a document which includes a letter of introduction from the teacher, a class syllabus, and a list of the rules. They will be asked to sign a list saying they have received this document. If parents do not attend this meeting, they will have this document sent home to them with students as well as a detachable page to sign saying they have received the document. If this is not feasible, parents will have these documents mailed to them.

Method of building relationships
Students
Students will receive frequent contingent, specific praise for things they do well in the classroom. Teacher will greet students at the door and make specific accommodations for individual students where necessary. Additionally, since it is necessary to give trust in order to receive it, teacher will explain some personal background and reasons for teaching.

Parents
Teacher will hold open house before the first day of school to give parents an opportunity to get to know teacher and classroom. The teacher will communicate frequently with parents through email, phone conversations and scheduled opportunities for face to face meetings. The teacher will always praise a student first before stating any possible problems the teacher is concerned about. The teacher will send out 2 emails every day to different parents telling them something good their student did that day and make 2 phone calls a week to the same effect.

Consequences
Positive
Free and Frequent
Contingent and immediate specific praise
Intermittent
Rules quizzes will be given as bell assignments for 5 points of extra credit two to three times per month.
*The answers will be easily obtainable from the posters of the rules that will be posted around the classroom. The quizzes will help students review rules, but they will be a positive consequence because they will reward on-time behavior by giving extra credit.

Each day, students who have followed classroom rules will receive the last 5 minutes of the class as free time.
Strong and long-term
If individual students follow rules, each month, they will have an opportunity to watch a movie in class, accompanied by the teacher bringing snacks.
At the end of each semester, if individual students follow rules, they will be given the opportunity to participate in and view a class “open mic” day in which they can share a poem, song, or other talent. Talent must be pre-approved by teacher. If students dislike this idea, they can choose between an end of semester ice cream or pizza party.
*Students will self-monitor positive and negative consequences (outlined below). The teacher will record any negative consequences to check against students' recording and self-monitoring.

Negative
First offense: Warning
Second offense: Loss of free time for day (Student will sit by teacher’s desk and work on an assignment)
Third offense: Phone call home to parents.
Fourth offense: Referral to principal

*If students lose free time more than 3 times per week 2 weeks in a row, receive more than 2 phone calls home between monthly movies, or one office referral, they will lose the privilege of participating in monthly movie. If students lose the monthly movie more than once in a row, they will lose the privilege of participating in the end of semester activity.


Data collection method:
Student: Joey Rachel Leah
Major Positive consequences
Major Negative consequences

*The formatting for this was originally a table with students names in a column across the top and major positive and negative consequences in rows beneath. It didn't show up in the blog. However, I would change this to have students' names down the side in a column with a column for each day with enough space to record major negative consequences and any major positive consequences.
*Negative consequences will be recorded by the teacher. The teacher will keep track of negative consequences by recording them as they occur. Positive consequences will be monitored by students.

Method for students to measure the consequences received
Students will record their own major positive and negative consequences. If they receive negative consequences, they will be required to write one sentence of explanation in mature, responsible language for each negative consequence they receive.

*Students will be expected to self-monitor their own behavior through adherence to rules. At the beginning of each semester, each student will be handed a calendar containing every day of the semester. The student will mark every day they receive free time at the end of class. They will also mark every month they participate in the monthly movie. At the end of the semester, these calendars will be their ticket into the end of semester activity.

Procedures
Students will come into the classroom on time each day, sit in their desks and work on bell work. Teacher will greet students at door. When the bell rings, teacher will be prepared and start with housekeeping, such as announcements. Homework will be passed to the front during homework. Lesson will begin with brief review in the form of going over bell quiz, then move on to actual instruction, then to independent guided practice. Small group time with teacher will take place at horseshoe table and will rotate between students. If a crisis occurs, the principal will be called.

*Students will be pre-taught procedures for transitions at the beginning of the year/semester. They will be re-taught as necessary throughout the semester. In general, transitions between activities will occur in class as teacher teaches. If transitions require students to take out additional materials or disrupt classroom activity in other ways, including coming to the horseshoe table for small group instruction with the teacher, they will be expected to take place quietly and efficiently. Students will take out all necessary materials quietly, and they will move to different parts of the classroom as quickly as possible. This goes with the following directions rule.
Crisis plan – If a crisis occurs, the administrator will be called via intercom. If necessary, police or emergency services will be contacted via phone.
Signals – Most signals will be verbal directions. During direct teaching, signaling will consist of a verbal prompt of “Ready”, a hand drop and snap.

Hypothetical Physical layout:
I chose this layout because I wanted space for students to listen to instruction and have their own desks as well as to be able to work intensively with the teacher.
-Please see original management plan for classroom layout (below)

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Classroom Management

Classroom Management Plan, revised
*=revised from original
Classroom Management
Contact Information/ Demographics
Rebecca Blair, Secondary Special Education Teacher
123-456-7890
rebeccablair@email.com

Statement of Purpose
Our classroom will be a safe, positive and relaxed environment that facilitates learning. Students will actively and respectfully participate in the classroom. (Secondary, Resource Room)

Rules and Relationships
Rules:
1. Be in your seat working on the bell assignment when the bell rings.
2. Be respectful of all individuals, materials and space in the classroom.
3. Be prepared by completing all assignments on time.
4. Follow all directions promptly the first time they are given.
5. Bring all necessary materials to class.

Strategies for teaching rules to students
The rules will be explicitly taught on the first day of class. They will be posted in 2 places in the classroom, on opposite walls. Each of the rules will be briefly taught using direct instruction. The class will discuss the rules together, talking about examples and non examples. They will be printed in a behavioral contract that will be signed by each of the students, after a short quiz to check for understanding of rules.

Strategies for booster sessions and reteaching
Individual rules will be retaught as deemed necessary by the teacher. Additionally, the class will periodically (two to three times per month) have short quizzes on the rules which will be worth 2 points of extra credit.

Method of informing parents of rules:
If parents attend a parent teacher meeting before school starts, rules will be explained to them then and they will receive a document which includes a letter of introduction from the teacher, a class syllabus, and a list of the rules. They will be asked to sign a list saying they have received this document. If parents do not attend this meeting, they will have this document sent home to them with students as well as a detachable page to sign saying they have received the document. If this is not feasible, parents will have these documents mailed to them.

Method of building relationships
Students
Students will receive frequent contingent, specific praise for things they do well in the classroom. Teacher will greet students at the door and make specific accommodations for individual students where necessary. Additionally, since it is necessary to give trust in order to receive it, teacher will explain some personal background and reasons for teaching.

Parents
Teacher will hold open house before the first day of school to give parents an opportunity to get to know teacher and classroom. The teacher will communicate frequently with parents through email, phone conversations and scheduled opportunities for face to face meetings. The teacher will always praise a student first before stating any possible problems the teacher is concerned about. The teacher will send out 2 emails every day to different parents telling them something good their student did that day and make 2 phone calls a week to the same effect.

Consequences
Positive
Free and Frequent
Contingent and immediate specific praise
Intermittent
Rules quizzes will be given as bell assignments for 5 points of extra credit two to three times per month.
*The answers will be easily obtainable from the posters of the rules that will be posted around the classroom. The quizzes will help students review rules, but they will be a positive consequence because they will reward on-time behavior by giving extra credit.

Each day, students who have followed classroom rules will receive the last 5 minutes of the class as free time.
Strong and long-term
If individual students follow rules, each month, they will have an opportunity to watch a movie in class, accompanied by the teacher bringing snacks.
At the end of each semester, if individual students follow rules, they will be given the opportunity to participate in and view a class “open mic” day in which they can share a poem, song, or other talent. Talent must be pre-approved by teacher. If students dislike this idea, they can choose between an end of semester ice cream or pizza party.
*Students will self-monitor positive and negative consequences (outlined below). The teacher will record any negative consequences to check against students' recording and self-monitoring.

Negative
First offense: Warning
Second offense: Loss of free time for day (Student will sit by teacher’s desk and work on an assignment)
Third offense: Phone call home to parents.
Fourth offense: Referral to principal

*If students lose free time more than 3 times per week 2 weeks in a row, receive more than 2 phone calls home between monthly movies, or one office referral, they will lose the privilege of participating in monthly movie. If students lose the monthly movie more than once in a row, they will lose the privilege of participating in the end of semester activity.


Data collection method:
Student: Joey Rachel Leah
Major Positive consequences
Major Negative consequences

*The formatting for this was originally a table with students names in a column across the top and major positive and negative consequences in rows beneath. It didn't show up in the blog. However, I would change this to have students' names down the side in a column with a column for each day with enough space to record major negative consequences and any major positive consequences.
*Negative consequences will be recorded by the teacher. The teacher will keep track of negative consequences by recording them as they occur. Positive consequences will be monitored by students.

Method for students to measure the consequences received
Students will record their own major positive and negative consequences. If they receive negative consequences, they will be required to write one sentence of explanation in mature, responsible language for each negative consequence they receive.

*Students will be expected to self-monitor their own behavior through adherence to rules. At the beginning of each semester, each student will be handed a calendar containing every day of the semester. The student will mark every day they receive free time at the end of class. They will also mark every month they participate in the monthly movie. At the end of the semester, these calendars will be their ticket into the end of semester activity.

Procedures
Students will come into the classroom on time each day, sit in their desks and work on bell work. Teacher will greet students at door. When the bell rings, teacher will be prepared and start with housekeeping, such as announcements. Homework will be passed to the front during homework. Lesson will begin with brief review in the form of going over bell quiz, then move on to actual instruction, then to independent guided practice. Small group time with teacher will take place at horseshoe table and will rotate between students. If a crisis occurs, the principal will be called.

*Students will be pre-taught procedures for transitions at the beginning of the year/semester. They will be re-taught as necessary throughout the semester. In general, transitions between activities will occur in class as teacher teaches. If transitions require students to take out additional materials or disrupt classroom activity in other ways, including coming to the horseshoe table for small group instruction with the teacher, they will be expected to take place quietly and efficiently. Students will take out all necessary materials quietly, and they will move to different parts of the classroom as quickly as possible. This goes with the following directions rule.
Crisis plan – If a crisis occurs, the administrator will be called via intercom. If necessary, police or emergency services will be contacted via phone.
Signals – Most signals will be verbal directions. During direct teaching, signaling will consist of a verbal prompt of “Ready”, a hand drop and snap.

Hypothetical Physical layout:
I chose this layout because I wanted space for students to listen to instruction and have their own desks as well as to be able to work intensively with the teacher.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Week 10

I explored some different technologies.

I found one site that plays sound effects online. I think this is useful for various things. I proposed to use it to help students learn to wash their hands with sound effects as a timer. There is a link provided on my TPACK science lesson plan.

I used stellarium for the science project, which allows people to look at the sky from anywhere on earth at any time. It's really cool.

I also decided to use tape or digital recorders to give instruction to smaller groups of students simultaneously.

TPACK Project

http://sites.google.com/site/beccaipt287portfolio/home/tpack/tpack-proj

TPACK Planning

http://sites.google.com/site/beccaipt287portfolio/home/tpack/?pageDeleted=%2Fhome%2Ftpack%2Ftpack

Three lesson plans for TPACK

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Internet Safety Assignment

Article of choice:
I read "Let Our Voices be Heard," by M Russell Ballard

Describe the video resources:
They seemed to be largely focused on internet predators and the dangers children face online. There were a couple of stories of people being molested or killed by internet predators, and the video talked a lot about internet safety.

My most important "take-aways" from the readings and video:
I need to be more careful about what I watch and allow to affect me. When I pay closer attention to the media I take in, I often notice that it has a lot of sexual innuendo and such, which has a negative affect on me. I need to be more careful to only watch media that doesn't treat such things lightly, or as acceptable. I was also reminded again through the videos that I need to be sure to teach my children the importance of internet safety. I believe the internet can be a great tool to make new friends in some cases, but you have to know how to use it safely.

4. Write a paragraph or more describing the details of your "doing" experience:

My dad knows we need to get some kind of filter or something to block bad stuff. You shouldn't give out your address or name. Kids shouldn't be on the internet in a room alone. Shouldn't give out personal information. When I asked him what he thought about the media, he said that the media is immoral on the whole. It's way too sexually oriented and violence oriented. I told him to teach kids about internet safety and tell them the stuff he is telling. People can get killed by internet predators. I told him about the talk I read by M Russell Ballard about the media. I read and paraphrased parts of it. I told him the strength of youth standard, and he agreed with me that everyone should follow the standards in for the strength of the youth. I read him the 7 things Elder Ballard suggested to keep our family's experience with the media positive. I encouraged him to limit the amount of time my siblings spend playing video games and watching tv and movies somewhat. Nothing really surprised me, but he did say he wanted to use that as part of his hometeaching message, which I thought was cool. I don't know what he will do with the message otherwise. I hope he will apply it to our family.

Saturday, April 3, 2010

Science Project Planning

Technology Lesson Planning

Directions: This table is intended to help you explicitly evaluate your options for selecting the best mix of pedagogy and technology to teach content. List the activity types you want to include in the lesson and 2-3 technology options that could work. Then list the affordances and constraints of each technology/activity type combination.
Step 1:
Identify Content to be Taught Step 2:
Plan Activities to do During the Instruction Step 3:
Identify Technologies that Could be Used
Identify Technology Strengths
Identify Technology Weaknesses
Students will understand that the appearance of the moon changes in a predictable cycle as it orbits Earth and as Earth rotates on its axis.
- Design an investigation, construct a chart, and collect data depicting the phases of the moon. Activity 1: Look at the moon phases over the course of the month using stellarium.

Design an investigation. Stellarium.
Interesting view of the moon and its phases.
Kidspiration



Activity 2: Research the names of the moon phases.



Collect data. Send them to: http://www.enchantedlearning.com
/subjects/astronomy/moon
/Phases.shtml
Or
http://home.hiwaay.net/
~krcool/Astro/moon/moonphase
To learn about the phases. Visuals, interactive, straight-forwad information. Time consuming, boring, easily distracted.



Activity 3: Construct a month-long moon phase chart.




Construct a chart. Microsoft Word
Clear. Not interactive, difficult to put the pictures in.
Excell

Online game: Lunar cycle challenge. http://www.sciencelinks.com/intera
ctives/moon/moon_challenge/moon
_challenge.html Interactive, creates opportunity for the students to test what they have learned. Limited access to computers for each student.
Activity 4: Depict the phases.


Model moon phases with dough. Interactive, fun. Messy.
Model moon phases on poster. Easy to construct, visual. Time consuming.
Flip book of the moon phases. See the changes of the moon, active.