Classroom Management
Each day that I spend in the classroom presents new challenges. Every situation and each different child requires an individualized response from me as the teacher. Nevertheless, a formal, written classroom management plan supported by research is an invaluable starting point when dealing with the ever-changing features of a classroom. Showing them that I truly care about their success and happiness is the best way to convince students that we are all working toward attaining common goals.
 
Expectations:
I maintain high expectations for each and every one of my students but also accept the individual capabilities of each student.
Students in this classroom are expected to:
· Give their best effort
· Respect themselves, others and the classroom
· Be here, Be prepared and Be safe!
 
Goals:
Your child’s IEP goals are the main focus of my instruction in the resource room. The majority of my instruction will focus around reading decoding and fluency and reading comprehension strategies. We may reread a story many times throughout a week – but we are using the story to work on a skill or strategy. If you child reads the same story over and over, this is a good reading strategy.
 
If your child has IEP goals in math, then my instruction also focuses on math.
 
As a rule, I do not do class work in the resource room. Homework is to be done at home and class work should be done in class. My work in resource room with your student is planned to directly address their IEP goals.
 
Incentives:
In my classroom, school is considered each student’s job. Just as I am expected to show up to my job each day, prepared and ready to work, I expect each student to come to school prepared and ready to work.
 
Each student starts each day out with 3 points on the wall. When they come in everyday they have the ability to keep all three stars by (1) returning their reading homework book; (2) giving best effort during instruction; and (3) behaving appropriately by following all classroom rules as posted. For each of these 3 things they do, they keep their points. If they fail to complete these three things, they lose a point for each item. They can also earn bonus points daily for excellent academic work, being a positive citizen and other teacher WOW traits.  At the end of the day, they record how many points they have on their weekly check out sheet. At the end of each week, this sheet will be brought home and your child will need you to sign it. They return this sheet on Monday. When they do, they will earn money for prize box, based on their scores from the previous week, to use in our prize box. This is meant to help facilitate communication between school and home. Please sign this every weekend so that your child can go to prize box on Mondays for their earned points.  
 
If your child loses all their stars more than one day in a week, we will schedule a meeting with Mrs. Sotero to discuss behavior and work effort. Parents will be contacted regarding their child's choices and inability to follow the classroom rules.
 
I think this incentive program has plenty of virtue. It is logical to the students. They have all agreed that they think it is fair and understandable. They get to experience the concept of working to earn something. What a great welcome into the real world!!
 
Questions &/or Concerns:
Always feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns. I am here to you and your child. If you have concerns, changes or issues arise, please give me a call. The more we communicate the more effective I can be in helping your student reach their goals.
 
Contact Information:
Kristen Miller