Running head: PROBLEM PREVENTION
Problem Prevention Plan
Kelly A. Snell
Liberty University
PROBLEM PREVENTION 2
Introduction
A problem prevention plan has been created to help use my knowledge of effective
classroom management. This plan will be used by me during the first week of school in a real
second grade classroom. The five rules have been set by me. I was torn between making up the
rules myself and making them up with my class. However, I deferred to (Wong, 2009) who
recommends “…having your classroom rules displayed in a prominent place on the first day of
school and a copy should be ready to go home with the student” (Wong & Wong, 2009: p. 152).
The rules that I have chosen are specific to second grade behavior. Specific rules are generally
better for the newer teacher or the experienced teacher who is looking for a better discipline
system (Wong & Wong, P. 15). I only have five rules. When making classroom rules, they should
be 1) few in number 2) make sense and be seen as fair 3) clearly explained and deliberately
taught to students (Metzger, 2002: as cited by Slavin, 2015 p. 279).
Rules for Mrs. Snell’s Second Grade Class:
1. Follow directions the first time given.
2. Raise your hand if you need to get out of your seat or wish to speak.
3. No talking while the teacher or another student is talking.
4. Tell a teacher only if someone is hurting you or themselves.
5. Eyes up front while the teacher is talking.
PROBLEM PREVENTION 2
I will ask them kindly and patiently to complete the task. I will make a conscious effort to praise
those students on a regular basis who do as they were asked. I will use the modeling and
observational learning concepts. Modeling – the imitation of others’ behavior – and of vicarious
experience – learning from others’ successes or failures (Bandura, 1986:Schunk, 2012 as cited in
Slavin, 2015: p. 114). The final stage in the observational learning process is motivation.
Students will imitate a model because they believe that doing so will increase their own chances
to be reinforced (Slavin, 2015: p. 114).
Rule # 2: Raise your hand to get out of your seat.
I must know where students are at all times. This also prevents students from wandering around
the room disturbing other students. You provide fences within which you and your students live
and learn and make decisions (Van Brummelen, 2009: p. 188).
Rule # 3: Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak.
The quieter, shy students deserve to be heard too. If we are all talking at once, then no one is
listening. “…students should know that presentation and discussion time requires the
participation and attention of all. They must be courteous and listen to the speaker (Van
Brummelen, 2015: p. 189).
Rule # 4: No tattling. Tell a teacher only if someone is going to hurt you or themselves.
For some reason students think that teachers love tattletales. Why do you judge the little piece of
dust in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood in your own eye (Matthew
7:3. New Century Version, 2005)? The key to a respectful and caring learning community is that
we hold one another accountable for our actions (Van Brummelen, 2009: p. 189).
Rule # 5: Eyes up front when the teacher is talking.
Second graders love to pull erasers out of their pencils, cut up little pieces of paper, read chapter
books, or do anything other than pay attention to the math concept that is being taught. Help
students see that they are responsible, that they have freedom to choose, and that they are
accountable for their decisions about their behavior and work (Van Brummelen, 2009: p. 189).
Consequences:
1. Verbal Warning
2. Visual Warning – Name is on the board
3. Final Warning – Lose 5 minutes of recess and five additional minutes for each additional
incident for the remainder of the day. If recess is over, then student will lose recess time
for the next day.
Procedures:
1. Homework and graded papers go home each Monday. Homework is due by Friday and
graded papers need to be signed each week.
2. The B.E.A.R. Folder is the student’s responsibility and needs to go home and return to
school each day.
3. If homework is not done by Friday the student will miss recess on Friday to complete
homework. If classwork is not finished each day in a timely manner, then classwork will
be completed at recess. When a student is out sick, he/she has two days to make up all
work.
Day 1
I will get to work really early. Work will be on the student’s desks (a word search) and
instructions will be on the board. I will collect school supplies and take lunch orders. After
about 20 minutes I will stop them and call their attention to the front by ringing my bell. I will
introduce myself and tell them a little about me. I will then go around the room and ask each
student to tell about himself or herself. I will then begin to go over all of my rules and
procedures. Wise teachers clearly define procedures, expectations, and rules (Van Brummelen,
2009). We will practice lining up for lunch, a fire drill, what to do when an adult enters the
classrooms, bathroom, illness, etc.
I have a collection of first day of school books that I will read to them. I will read, Tattlin
Madeline and Tattle Tail Tale which has a coloring activity to go with it. I will take their pictures
for their parents and we will do some “All About Me” activities. I have a small gift for them and
they will take this and their B.E.A.R. binders home at the end of the day.
Day 2
I will begin the day the same as yesterday. We will go over rules and procedures once again. If
needed, we will practice again. Today I will get a writing sample from each student and I will
have each student read aloud. The writing sample will go into the student’s writing portfolio. I
will read The Teacher From the Black Lagoon to my students and then have them make a picture
of me. This will go home in their B.E.A.R. folder.
Day 3
The beginning of our day will be the same. I will give a math pre-test today that will not count
as a grade but will let me know where we are as a class. I will send the results home to the
parents on Monday.
Day 4
After Morning Work today we will begin our normal schedule.
Conclusion
It is very important to have a problem prevention plan. If you do not have a plan, then you are
planning to fail (Wong & Wong, 2009: p. 147). How you begin the first week of school sets the
stage for the school year. If you don’t tell the students what they are supposed to do then they
will not know what to do. I will have my rules and procedures posted on the walls on
Orientation Night. I will go over the rules and procedures with the students the entire first week
of school. If a student disrupts class, I will not stop teaching, I will quietly warn them and then if
it continues, I will follow my consequences plan. If a student forgets what to do if she needs to
use the restroom, I will ask her what the procedure is and we will go over it again.
References:
Slavin, Robert E. (2015). Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Pearson Education, Inc.
Van Brummelen, H. (2009) Walking With God in the Classroom: Christian Approaches to
Teaching and Learning, Third Edition. Colorado Springs, CO: Purposeful Design Publications.
Wong, H. K. & Wong, R. T. (2009). The First Days of School: How to Be An Effective Teacher.
Mountain View, CA: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.