Introducing the Manager System

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Students will recognize the importance of classroom managers in creating a positive classroom environment. They will understand how a classroom manager is a leader. In addition, students will demonstrate classroom citizenship while developing classroom ownership and self-discipline.

OBJECTIVE

Students will:

1. Participate in the establishment of a "student-centered" classroom.
2. Create a list of classroom jobs and descriptions they think are needed in the classroom.
3. Evaluate the importance of classroom jobs.
4. Become acquainted with duties and responsibilities of each classroom job.
5. Complete a Classroom Manager Job Application.
6. Hold a Classroom Manager position sometime throughout the school year.

MATERIALS

1. Chart Paper (3 to 4 sheets)
2. Markers for recording student responses
3. The Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll, available in the Teacher Store.
4. Manager Application Handout (PDF) for each student
5. Manager Application on a transparency
6. Tape Recorder
7. Your Teaching Job Description
8. Colorful poster board for creating final Classroom Managers Chart, laminate if desired
9. Pocket Chart, for displaying Classroom Managers

SET UP AND PREPARE

1. Set up Chart Paper and Markers for whole group instruction.
2. Have an idea of how you will divide the class in groups of 2–4 students.
3. Prepare your job description that you will share with the students.

REPRODUCIBLES

1. Manager Application Handout (PDF)
   

DIRECTIONS

Day 1

Step 1: Anticipatory Set: Introduce the book The Biggest Pumpkin Ever. Explain to the students that this book is about two mice that work together to take care of a growing pumpkin that becomes the biggest pumpkin ever. Read the book.

Step 2: Introduce the words Teamwork and Responsibility. Write the terms Teamwork and Responsibility at the top of the chart paper. Guide students to sound and spell each word via choral response. Pose these questions to the class: What do the words Teamwork and Responsibility mean? How did the two mice demonstrate each? Record student responses on chart paper.

Step 3: Discuss how each of the students could demonstrate Teamwork and Responsibility in the classroom. Guide the discussion to various responsibilities in the classroom.

Day 2

Step 4: Review Teamwork and Responsibility. Brainstorm a list of jobs students determine are needed in the classroom. Share your Job Description with the students, encouraging similar thought. Draw a line down the center of another piece of chart paper with the heading on the left side entitled Job and the heading on the right side entitled Description. Encourage higher order thinking by asking the following questions:

• Why is this job important?
• What should the qualifications be for this job?
• How would a manager perform this job?
• How does a manager show responsibility?
• What would happen if a manager did NOT do his job?

Ask the students what they think are the specifics of each job listed and how a manager handles each job. Record student responses under Description heading. Inform students that this list will now be called the Class Managers Chart. Post the Class Managers Chart for the class to use for Day 3.

Day 3

Step 5: Review the Class Managers Chart in groups of 2-4 students. Guide each group to discuss any revisions to the Chart as the class prepares to complete the final version. Circulate the classroom. Encourage students to utilize teamwork and emphasize the importance of respecting each team member's ideas.

Step 6: In a whole group setting, have each team report their final recommendations. Encourage students to verbalize how and why they did or did not make changes to the Class Managers Chart. Record the recommendations on the Chart. Complete final Classroom Managers Chart. Chart can be printed on colorful poster board, enlarged, and laminated.

Step 7: Inform the students that they will be applying for a job from the Classroom Managers Chart and to come prepared the next day with that job in mind. Duration of job assignments may vary from one to two weeks depending on total number of students. This will ensure that each student will have the opportunity to hold a position during the academic year. Share with the students the duration of each job and that each applicant chosen will rotate throughout the school year.

Day 4

Step 8: Review the Classroom Managers Chart. Using the transparency, model how the Manager Application should be completed. Inform students that they will circle the job title they are interested in applying for and write why they feel qualified to "hold" that position at the bottom of the application. Select a job not on the list to demonstrate (to avoid students merely "copying" what has been modeled) and encourage students to share the qualifications in their own words as you write their responses on the transparency. Model how to write complete sentences.

Step 9: Distribute the Manager Applications and assist students.

Day 5

Step 10: After students have completed their applications, begin the process of review and final selection of managers. When reviewing applications the Teacher selects students based on their reasons for requesting a position.

Step 11: Post Classroom Managers using a pocket chart. This will facilitate easy transition as Managers change throughout the school year.

SUPPORTING ALL LEARNERS

Students having difficulty with writing are invited to verbally apply for Classroom Manager positions by using a tape player to record their desired position and their qualifications.

ASSESS STUDENTS

• Did each student demonstrate the understanding of Teamwork and Responsibility?
• Were they able to articulate what would happen if the Classroom Managers did not perform their jobs?
• Did they adequately describe their qualifications for the job they desired?
• Did they complete the Job Application correctly with minimal assistance?

HOME CONNECTION

• Steps 7–8 could be homework where each student completes a 2-3 sentence description of the job for which they will complete an application.
• Ask the students to bring their parents' job descriptions to class to share.
• Invite a few "real life" managers (possibly your students' parents) from your school community to speak to the class about their job responsibilities and the importance of teamwork.

EVALUATE THE LESSON

• Did the students respect the dignity of all team members when discussing revisions to Class Manager list?
• Were all students actively engaged during the lesson?
• What reasons did students list for wanting a particular job? Did student responses indicate an understanding of the job as well as the importance of the job in creating an efficiently organized classroom?
• Was the entire process of introducing the Manager System fairly smooth?
• Did students understand the process and appreciate its fairness in selecting Managers?

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