The document outlines best teaching practices to improve classroom discipline, including alternatives to suspension, pre-emptive measures, teacher support programs, nutrition programs, detention, assemblies, and supervision. It specifically discusses Ms. Garcia and Ms. Zepeda's use of CHAMPs (a classroom management method) which includes clear expectations, attention signals, and behavior monitoring charts. The document emphasizes establishing routines, positive reinforcement, clear communication with parents, and treating students with respect.

1. Best Teaching Practices to Improve Discipline Mr. Jose Flores A Track Dean Virgil Middle School 152 N. Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA. 90004 (213) 368-2800

2. Alternatives to Suspension Pre-emptive Measures Teacher support AIP. ASD. SELAP. Nutrition/lunch Detention. Quarterly Discipline Assemblies. Pre-Citation Notices. California Cadet Corp. Passing Period Supervision. Teacher Visitation Program. Academic Options Room CHAMPS & Best Behavior Practices. Tardy software. Palm Pilots. On Line Referral System

3. Ms. Monique Garcia’s and Ms. Dina Zepeda’s Use of CHAMPs Virgil Middle School 152 N. Vermont Avenue Los Angeles, CA. 90004 (213) 368-2800

4. Attention Signal Students need to be introduced to your attention signal the first few minutes of class on the first day. You should have more than one attention signal.

5. Clear Expectations Outline what you expect from your students for every activity in class. Having clear expectations helps to minimize behavior problems.

6. CHAMPs Expectations Entering the Classroom

7. Conversation Say “hello,” “good morning,” or “good afternoon” to the teacher before you enter the room You may not talk to other students after you enter the classroom However, if you need to say “excuse me” or “thank you,” you may do so in a whisper voice

8. Help If you need help, raise your hand quietly from your seat. I will try to answer your question immediately, but you may have to wait until after I have greeted all of the students at the door

9. Activity Walk directly to your seat If you need to sharpen your pencils, do so before the bell rings Copy your homework from the board into your agenda planner Look at the “Dispatch” assignment and begin working immediately

10. Movement You may get up to sharpen your pencil without permission before the tardy bell rings Otherwise, you should remain seated

11. Participation You are meeting my expectations if you: Sit up straight Copy your homework into your agenda planner Remain seated after sharpening your pencils Begin your dispatch assignment immediately Work quietly

12. Participation You are NOT meeting my expectations if you: Talk to another student Get out of your seat without permission Look somewhere other than at your work Do not have your materials ready Do not start the dispatch assignment right away

13. Behavior Table/Chart A five or ten column roster from ISIS Record behavior -positive -negative -tardies -participation -homework/class work *Different codes for each behavior

14. Behavior Table/Chart Continued…. Use for cooperation grades, work habits grades, and parent conferences.

15. Positive Notes Student receives a note from teacher that has to be signed by parent This is to acknowledge students’ positive behavior in class. Try to give anywhere from 3 to 5 positive notes for each class period.

16. Negative Notes Student receives note and has to be signed by parent(s) and returned the following day. If it’s not returned the next day the student(s) will receive paper pick-up. It’s also a means of communication between the teacher and the parents.

17. Tardy Sheet Student has to sign in at the front table when he/she is tardy. If student has a tardy slip, it must be stapled to the tardy sheet. This minimizes disruption of lesson Teacher keeps it as record for parent conferences. For use in work habits grade

18. Positive to Negative Ratio To keep a positive atmosphere in the classroom, teacher praises three positive behaviors for every one negative behavior that occurs.

19. Time is Valuable! Time your class for every activity. They should be able to do everything in a minute or less. When the minute is up, students are expected to wait quietly for the next directions.

20. Repetition Students should repeat important information after you in order to ensure that all students have heard the directions. This is to avoid having twenty kids asking the same information.

21. Homework/Agenda Planner Students are required to have their homework and agenda ready on the corner of their desks as soon as they walk into class. Teacher checks for completion for each student.

22. Homework Excuse Sheet On a front desk or table, have a stack of Homework Excuse Sheets. When students walk into class, they should automatically pick up an excuse sheet if they did not do their homework. Students fill it in explaining why homework has not been completed. Great for use in parent conferences and work habits grades!

23. The Golden Rule  One piece of advice that we try to go by in our classrooms is to treat others the way we would want to be treated. Respect goes a long way. Start by greeting students at the door. Using “Please” and “Thank you” models good manners for our students. 

24. Thank you! Email addresses: Jose Flores [email_address] Monique Garcia [email_address] Dina Zepeda [email_address]