With everything that teachers need to accomplish in a given year: standardized tests, regular tests, homework, quizzes, writing prompts and assignments, other teachers, principals and parents. Not to mention textbooks, papers, copier machine jams, short supplies thus buying their own, and making everything look like it is no effort at all. There is one factor that can tip the scale either into good or bad territory, and that is the student's behavior.
Enter: CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES!
Today I will be providing 5 classroom management strategies that any teacher can implement, no matter the class they teach. So buckle up and get ready, cause here they come!
1) First Day of School
When it comes to classroom management, it can all be boiled down to one basal point that can affect the classroom for the whole year, the first day. Many teachers allow students more freedom on the first day/ week of class because everybody is feeling each other out. They tend to let students talk more, maybe look at their phones more, etc. This is your most valuable tool, because you only have one chance to make a first impression. If you make it clear right from the get go that you are indeed the teacher and that you hold a position of power/ respect in the classroom, it will make the rest of the school year much easier. Another tip for this portion is to dress the part. You are in the class to be their teacher first, friend second. So dress professionally so the lines don't become blurred.
When it comes to classroom management, it can all be boiled down to one basal point that can affect the classroom for the whole year, the first day. Many teachers allow students more freedom on the first day/ week of class because everybody is feeling each other out. They tend to let students talk more, maybe look at their phones more, etc. This is your most valuable tool, because you only have one chance to make a first impression. If you make it clear right from the get go that you are indeed the teacher and that you hold a position of power/ respect in the classroom, it will make the rest of the school year much easier. Another tip for this portion is to dress the part. You are in the class to be their teacher first, friend second. So dress professionally so the lines don't become blurred.
2. Rules
When it comes to laying down the law in a classroom, especially if a student has acted out of turn, it is easier if you have a specific set of rules/ guidelines that everyone (you included), should follow diligently. Now, each classroom is different, so the way in which you decide to choose or formulate those rules is entirely up to you. You can have a simple set which encompasses many topics, or you can even run your room like a democracy where you and the students decide upon the rules (mainly expectations in this strategy) together (however, this strategy may be more useful after you have gotten to know the students so you have a better idea of what to focus on). A simple set of rules anyone can utilize are:
When it comes to laying down the law in a classroom, especially if a student has acted out of turn, it is easier if you have a specific set of rules/ guidelines that everyone (you included), should follow diligently. Now, each classroom is different, so the way in which you decide to choose or formulate those rules is entirely up to you. You can have a simple set which encompasses many topics, or you can even run your room like a democracy where you and the students decide upon the rules (mainly expectations in this strategy) together (however, this strategy may be more useful after you have gotten to know the students so you have a better idea of what to focus on). A simple set of rules anyone can utilize are:
- Be on time and in your seat when the bell rings
- Don't talk while the teacher or a peer is talking
- Raise your hand if you want to be called on
- Don't touch anything that isn't yours
- Don't leave the room until I have dismissed you
- Follow school-wide rules in the classroom (gum, phones, etc)
3. Preferred Learning Styles
This is a strategy that is a little different because it involves a bit more work on the teachers part and very little on the students part. One way to be more relate able to your students is to find out what their preferred learning style is. Achieving this is simple, you can either handout a survey to the students in class, or you can have them perform an online survey either in class or as "homework". In performing this survey, you begin to see your class in a deeper light, one that means you can make your lesson plans more reachable to your students. If students are able to take in and learn what you are trying to teach them, they will be more willing to learn more and act out less. Here is a link to one such survey, in case you wanted to use one: http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml.
This is a strategy that is a little different because it involves a bit more work on the teachers part and very little on the students part. One way to be more relate able to your students is to find out what their preferred learning style is. Achieving this is simple, you can either handout a survey to the students in class, or you can have them perform an online survey either in class or as "homework". In performing this survey, you begin to see your class in a deeper light, one that means you can make your lesson plans more reachable to your students. If students are able to take in and learn what you are trying to teach them, they will be more willing to learn more and act out less. Here is a link to one such survey, in case you wanted to use one: http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml.
4. I like to move it, move it
I love when King Julien sings this in Madagascar, and it holds true for teachers and students alike. For teachers, when you move around the classroom, instead of staying in one spot or just at the front, you are able to move closer to the more unruly students you can provide individual attention of discipline (NEVER humiliate a student, let alone in front of their peers). As for the students, movement gets the blood flowing to not just the limbs, but to the brain. Moving around help keep kids from being bored, helps them refocus, and exercise is always good. Even if it is for only a moment or two, it still has benefits.
I love when King Julien sings this in Madagascar, and it holds true for teachers and students alike. For teachers, when you move around the classroom, instead of staying in one spot or just at the front, you are able to move closer to the more unruly students you can provide individual attention of discipline (NEVER humiliate a student, let alone in front of their peers). As for the students, movement gets the blood flowing to not just the limbs, but to the brain. Moving around help keep kids from being bored, helps them refocus, and exercise is always good. Even if it is for only a moment or two, it still has benefits.
5. Stick to the planHanding down punishment is no fun for anyone involved, kids don't like to be punished and you don't like punishing them. But the reason you have rules in the classroom is to help you deal with unruly behavior, and the students will be able to know before hand that certain actions have consequences. However, if you only give a constant stream of warnings, for example you tell a student 5 times to put away their phone), they begin to believe that you don't mean what you say. So you need to have a discipline plan set so you and the students know you mean business. Here is just one example:
- Review the rule
- Establish proximity or stare
- Statement of closure
- After class meeting
- Immediate meeting
- Call parent
- Move to principal
Classroom management is one of the easiest components to incorporate, yet may have the most return on investment. If you and your students are willing to put in the time to properly manage your classroom, you wind up with a better learning environment for everyone.