Why is it important to have a classroom management plan What are the most important elements that this plan should include?

1. Career development
2. What Is a Classroom Management Plan?

By Indeed Editorial Team

Published May 17, 2021

One of the main objectives for an effective teacher is to oversee an organized and disciplined classroom. Maintaining order in a classroom allows a teacher to effectively present their lesson plans and help all students receive a beneficial education. If you're a teacher who wants to oversee an organized classroom, it helps to create a plan for how you want your classroom to operate. In this article, we discuss what a classroom management plan is, the benefits of having one and how you can implement one in your classroom.

What is a classroom management plan?

A classroom management plan is a set of rules designed to hold students accountable for their behavior. It also details procedures for how a classroom operates throughout a school day, such as procedures for when students take tests or when there are emergency situations.

For example, an elementary classroom management plan may have a rule that all students must raise their hand before speaking. Failure to follow this rule may result in a warning the first time, followed by a time-out the second time. It may also outline how students line up at the door at the end of class.

Related: Learn About Being a Teacher

Benefits of a classroom management plan

The biggest benefit of a classroom management plan is establishing rules in a classroom. If you introduce a plan on the first day of class, students know the type of behavior expected of them going forward. By developing and implementing a classroom management plan, teachers also give themselves guidelines to follow when students misbehave. This allows them to quickly, efficiently and fairly address a situation, resuming normal class activities shortly afterward.

With a classroom management plan, students also know what to expect from their teacher. Students often want to be treated in the same way as other students. A classroom management plan ensures that each student receives the same treatment.

Related: How To Become a Teacher

Elements of a classroom management plan

Consider the following elements when creating your classroom management plan:

Classroom rules

These are a set of rules that students adhere to at all times. To simplify this plan for your students, try to only include a few broad, inclusive rules. In addition, it's a good idea to frame each rule as something you want students to do rather than what you don't want them to do. For example, your rule might be “Raise your hand before speaking,” rather than “Do not speak without raising your hand.” This helps to maintain positivity in a classroom and may make students feel more comfortable.

Related: 8 Qualities of a Good Teacher (and Tips for How To Develop Them)

Classroom procedures and routines

Procedures are different from rules, as they're essentially the routines you want your students to follow at different times. For example, you may establish a morning routine, in which your students enter the classroom, put away their belongings and sit quietly at their desk until the bell rings.

Emergency procedures

Similar to your common classroom procedures, it's also important to detail procedures for emergency situations. For example, if the fire alarm rings, you may want students to act in an orderly fashion so they can quickly and safely exit the classroom. Consider detailing the steps you want students to follow during different emergency situations and practice emergency procedures before they occur.

Student jobs

If you include student jobs in your classroom, such as erasing a chalkboard or picking up books, it's important to detail each job's responsibilities in your classroom management plan. Consider outlining the responsibilities of each job and the schedule you follow to transfer jobs from one student to another. For example, you can have a current student explain the job duties to the next student when it's time to transfer tasks. Student jobs are a great way to teach children responsibility and remove some tasks from a teacher's responsibilities.

How to implement a classroom management plan

To implement a classroom management plan, follow the steps below:

1. Consider all possible scenarios

Create your plan before the start of a school year, if possible. Try to determine how you want your classroom to operate and define some rules and procedures. If this is your first time leading a classroom or creating a classroom management plan, consider talking to fellow teachers about strategies they use to manage their classrooms. The more scenarios you consider in the planning stages, the more prepared you might be throughout the year.

Related: Learn About Being an Elementary School Teacher

2. Introduce the plan as early as possible

Consider introducing your classroom management plan on the first day of classes. If the school year has already begun, try to introduce the plan as soon as possible. The sooner you introduce your management plan, the sooner students understand the behaviors expected of them. This also prevents the formation of bad habits or any issues with inconsistent discipline. It's better if your penalties and rewards remain consistent throughout the year, rather than including alterations after you introduce the management plan.

3. Create helpful visuals

To remind students of classroom rules and procedures, creating visuals can help. For example, you can make a poster that lists the classroom rules and hang it in front of the class. You can also have a poster or sign that lists the penalties for breaking a rule, so you can refer to it when needed. This not only allows students to learn proper behaviors but also shows them you're not arbitrarily assigning penalties.

4. Refer to the management plan

After you introduce your management plan, consider referring to it often in the first few weeks. Each time you highlight proper or improper behavior, remind students where they can find the plan. You can also try quizzing students on aspects of the management plan. For example, you can ask students, “Who knows what we do when the lunch bell rings?”

5. Distribute rewards

Just as the management plan includes penalties for misbehavior, it can also include rewards for proper behavior. Rewarding students for behavior that adheres to the management plan is a good way to promote the type of behavior you seek. Rewards can be simple items such as stickers or more recess time at the end of a school week.

6. Involve parents

It's also important to involve parents in your classroom management plan by sending them a copy of the plan. Parents might appreciate that you intend to operate an organized and disciplined classroom. In addition, if a student regularly misbehaves, you may contact their parents. Having an established guideline for classroom behavior that a parent is already aware of helps when discussing any issues.

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