Classroom Management Plan
Classroom Management Plan
Classroom management is the plan an educator has in place to ensure that the class can be taught free of distractions from disruptive behaviors. Classroom management is used to prevent unfavorable behaviors by challenging the students to stay engaged and interactive. Effective classroom management is a key concept to meeting the needs of all students. I personally believe that if students are in a safe, structured environment that they could learn in the most efficient way possible.
Philosophical Statement
My goal for my classroom is to create an environment that resembles a community. I believe that in a band classroom setting it is important for not only me to have a relationship with my students personally, but for the students to have an in-depth relationship with each other as well. Playing an instrument in front of others can place many students out of their comfort zones. With that being said, it is important to implement zero-tolerance for teasing, mocking, and making fun of other musicians. This is because their experiences playing in front of others can determine the success of the musician in many ways. Moreover, I am committed to making my classroom a challenging environment with emphasis on fundamentals. Fundamentals are important for a musician and should be worked on consistently, regardless of student’s musicianship level. Meeting the needs of my students musically and emotionally are the biggest goals that I have as a teacher.
Room Arrangement
The room will be arranged like a typical high school band classroom. There will be the 1st Clarinets and 1st Flutes on the 1st row. On the second row there will be the 2nd and 3rd Clarinets and 2nd and 3rd Flutes separated by the Oboe and Bassoon players. Then on the 3rd row I will have the Trumpets, French Horns, and all the different types of Saxophones in order of the music. On the fourth row, I will have the low brass including the Baritones, Trombones, and Tubas. On the last row will be the Percussionist. This room arrangement is subject to change depending on the amount of players in each section. In the middle of the room will be a podium so that at all times I am the center of attention and elevated for an ideal view over the classroom. On the walls I will place helpful tools for them to play in the best way possible. For example, I will place a circle of 5ths and 4ths on the wall so they will be able to identify key signatures or play an unfamiliar scale within seconds. I will also place music theory tips on the wall. There will also be an opportunity for students to check out materials from me that might help them study music independently as well. I found growing up that it was always fun to play music that was not assigned and that I was able to pick out for fun. I would provide my students that opportunity with materials that I have collected over the years.
Classroom Rules
Classroom rules are important but I would like them to be more relaxed so that the class can work together as a team. My #1 rule is respect. This means have respect for yourself, your peers, your uniform/attire (concerts and performances), me, your instrument, your peer/my instrument, distributed music, folders, and the classroom. A band classroom is always a sugar free zone. There will be no food or drink (besides water in the classroom). This rule is the same for me as the role model. Another rule is to be on time. This does not mean just coming in the classroom before the bell rings. This means having your music and instrument out, tuned, and ready to go exactly five minutes after the bell has rung. This is not a lot of time, so it is important for each student to move with a purpose. The last rule is no playing out of turn or “doodling.” When you put an instrument in someone’s hand it is natural to want to play it. However, this can be detrimental to a classroom environment because it becomes a distraction to not only their ears but mine. It is important for me to be able to hear the students and communicate based on what I hear. If there extra noise, I am unable to do my job.
Classroom Procedures
Consistency is the key component of my classroom’s procedures. As mentioned earlier, the students will be expected to have their instruments together, warmed-up, and in their seats by 5 minutes after the bell rings. I understand that it is difficult to get to and from class in the amount of time allotted and it does take a while to get situated. After that time is up, we will tune and warm up as a group. Then there will be an agenda on the board that says what we are playing/going over for that day and in what order. This is so the students can be prepared and eliminates the time spent moving from one thing to another. Last, I will always end 5 minutes before the end of class bell to allow the students to properly put their instruments away and pack up.
Encouragement
Encouragement is very important in a band classroom. I will always encourage clapping after a student plays alone in front of the class. I will also allow group work so that sections can encourage each other to learn the music. For me, I will encourage the students to practice by allowing them to turn in a practice logs for a grade. Students will be encouraged to play solo music during concerts or in front of the class. Last, students will be given the opportunity to switch to a different instrument once they excel in their main one; this will serve as motivation to students to excel in their main instrument and learn to be multi-instrumental.
Classroom management is the plan an educator has in place to ensure that the class can be taught free of distractions from disruptive behaviors. Classroom management is used to prevent unfavorable behaviors by challenging the students to stay engaged and interactive. Effective classroom management is a key concept to meeting the needs of all students. I personally believe that if students are in a safe, structured environment that they could learn in the most efficient way possible.
Philosophical Statement
My goal for my classroom is to create an environment that resembles a community. I believe that in a band classroom setting it is important for not only me to have a relationship with my students personally, but for the students to have an in-depth relationship with each other as well. Playing an instrument in front of others can place many students out of their comfort zones. With that being said, it is important to implement zero-tolerance for teasing, mocking, and making fun of other musicians. This is because their experiences playing in front of others can determine the success of the musician in many ways. Moreover, I am committed to making my classroom a challenging environment with emphasis on fundamentals. Fundamentals are important for a musician and should be worked on consistently, regardless of student’s musicianship level. Meeting the needs of my students musically and emotionally are the biggest goals that I have as a teacher.
Room Arrangement
The room will be arranged like a typical high school band classroom. There will be the 1st Clarinets and 1st Flutes on the 1st row. On the second row there will be the 2nd and 3rd Clarinets and 2nd and 3rd Flutes separated by the Oboe and Bassoon players. Then on the 3rd row I will have the Trumpets, French Horns, and all the different types of Saxophones in order of the music. On the fourth row, I will have the low brass including the Baritones, Trombones, and Tubas. On the last row will be the Percussionist. This room arrangement is subject to change depending on the amount of players in each section. In the middle of the room will be a podium so that at all times I am the center of attention and elevated for an ideal view over the classroom. On the walls I will place helpful tools for them to play in the best way possible. For example, I will place a circle of 5ths and 4ths on the wall so they will be able to identify key signatures or play an unfamiliar scale within seconds. I will also place music theory tips on the wall. There will also be an opportunity for students to check out materials from me that might help them study music independently as well. I found growing up that it was always fun to play music that was not assigned and that I was able to pick out for fun. I would provide my students that opportunity with materials that I have collected over the years.
Classroom Rules
Classroom rules are important but I would like them to be more relaxed so that the class can work together as a team. My #1 rule is respect. This means have respect for yourself, your peers, your uniform/attire (concerts and performances), me, your instrument, your peer/my instrument, distributed music, folders, and the classroom. A band classroom is always a sugar free zone. There will be no food or drink (besides water in the classroom). This rule is the same for me as the role model. Another rule is to be on time. This does not mean just coming in the classroom before the bell rings. This means having your music and instrument out, tuned, and ready to go exactly five minutes after the bell has rung. This is not a lot of time, so it is important for each student to move with a purpose. The last rule is no playing out of turn or “doodling.” When you put an instrument in someone’s hand it is natural to want to play it. However, this can be detrimental to a classroom environment because it becomes a distraction to not only their ears but mine. It is important for me to be able to hear the students and communicate based on what I hear. If there extra noise, I am unable to do my job.
Classroom Procedures
Consistency is the key component of my classroom’s procedures. As mentioned earlier, the students will be expected to have their instruments together, warmed-up, and in their seats by 5 minutes after the bell rings. I understand that it is difficult to get to and from class in the amount of time allotted and it does take a while to get situated. After that time is up, we will tune and warm up as a group. Then there will be an agenda on the board that says what we are playing/going over for that day and in what order. This is so the students can be prepared and eliminates the time spent moving from one thing to another. Last, I will always end 5 minutes before the end of class bell to allow the students to properly put their instruments away and pack up.
Encouragement
Encouragement is very important in a band classroom. I will always encourage clapping after a student plays alone in front of the class. I will also allow group work so that sections can encourage each other to learn the music. For me, I will encourage the students to practice by allowing them to turn in a practice logs for a grade. Students will be encouraged to play solo music during concerts or in front of the class. Last, students will be given the opportunity to switch to a different instrument once they excel in their main one; this will serve as motivation to students to excel in their main instrument and learn to be multi-instrumental.