Setting up effective classroom management practices during the first weeks of school will go a long way in setting the tone for the rest of the year. Check out this link to see how 62 educators responded to this question. You may find some great ideas or, if you are inspired to share your response to this question, leave a reply below!
What’s The Best Classroom Management Advice You’ve Gotten?
September 2, 2011
Sep 02, 2011 @ 03:25:12
At the beginning of each marking period give your students one pass for each of the following: going to their locker, turning in a late homework without penalty, bathroom. This streamlines the process of leaving the room, as the student simply fills out their pass, hands it to you in exchange for the hall pass. It leaves you with an accounting method of students leaving the room. In addition, if the passes can be converted into a bonus at the end of the marking period, students will often reconsider if they really do need to leave the room.
Sep 02, 2011 @ 11:40:32
1. Have assigned seats but change as needed. 2. No student leaves the room during the first 15 minutes of class – unless a life or death situation. 3. Always have bell work/do now – only 2 to 5 minute assignment. 4. Allow students to move from their assigned seats to do independent or partner work. 5. Always have a lesson closure – sharing out/exit ticket/turn and talk. 6. Discipline – consistent plan and documentation. When appropriate students write what the incident was and how they will remedy the situation. (Sorry I know that’s more than one)
Sep 02, 2011 @ 11:45:54
The biggest thing that helped me with Classroom Management was to always keep the students busy. There was always a “preclass” activity up on the board when they walked in that they were expected to complete right away as I checked homework and there was almost always a closure activity that they completed before leaving the room. In-between bells, I did very little “lecturing”, teaching just enough of what they needed to take off and use the content to speak, read, write – “get messy” with their learning. The students often asked “can we just have a FEW minutes without work?”. No way! I only had them for 43 minutes, we had to get as much done as we could! So.. keep the students active with engaging activities and assignments and they won’t have time to be disruptive or off-task.
Sep 02, 2011 @ 12:24:45
The largest factor in managing a class is classroom community. You have to put in the time in the first weeks of school building community. It’s more than just developing rules and doing team-building activities. It means spending time being proactive instead of reactive. For example, morning meeting is essential in building classroom community. As the students are learning expectations, less desirable behaviors my occur. I stop everything and have a class meeting when this occurs. They need to know that you are serious and that you want to involve them in the community.
Sep 02, 2011 @ 13:21:45
I really agree with Kate, building a sense of community is essential. Students who feel that they don’t belong are more apt to be disruptive. Setting high expectations for respectful behavior, and consistently modeling it, will help students learn the culture of the classroom. Taking the time to allow students to talk honestly about a situation teaches the importance of communicating with one another to solve problems. Thanks for this post Kate.
Sep 02, 2011 @ 13:11:52
PENCILS. High school kids seem to need a pencil every day. I offer extra credit the first week of school for packs of pencil and then keep a container of pencils on the side of the room. Now they can’t sit and do nothing, they don’t need to ask around for one, they don’t march to the front where instruction is often happening, and they don’t need to leave my room.
Sep 02, 2011 @ 13:26:10
Also, keeping stocks of those basic supplies like kleenex, hand sanitizer, etc. makes a classroom seem more comfortable and like Heidi says goes a long way in eliminating those small disruptions.
Sep 02, 2011 @ 13:34:46
Another Heidi idea that I liked is having a “potty mouth” fine. At the beginning of the year Heidi talks about expectations such as banning the words “Stupid” and “Dumb” in her classroom. The students and parents sign a contract and a small fine is charged for infractions. The money collected in a bank on the teachers desk. At the end of each semester the class votes on a charity to receive the donation. The fine jar is perceived by the students (HS) as a good-natured reminder to think before speaking. And, the kids love it when Mrs Butt imposes a fine on herself.
Sep 02, 2011 @ 14:12:10
Check out this video from The Teaching Channel called New Teacher Survival Guide: Classroom Management. Not just for new teachers, either. Some good tips and strategies!
http://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/new-teacher-survival-guide-classroom-management?fd=0
Sep 02, 2011 @ 18:45:56
For Labs I have 4 students in a group and have laminated “job cards” that I distribute to each member of the group. The cards have a specific job : Leader, Reader, Clean up, Supplies. The cards also detail the responsibilities and no one is left with out a job. This helps to have all students engaged and eliminates confusion or disagreements among group members.
Helps labs to run smoothly and kids are excited to see if they are “the leader”.
Sep 07, 2011 @ 17:15:09
Like Kate said, really, REALLY take the time in the beginning of the year to establish routines, expectations, rules, build classroom respect, etc. (not just one day…kids (of all ages) need practice and repetition. It truly makes a difference all year long…and with some classes, you need to revisit this OFTEN.
Also, be clear and concise…make sure students understand what they are expected to do…confusion leads to chaos.
Sep 08, 2011 @ 12:46:41
Be firm but fair!
My Classroom Management page: http://cybraryman.com/classroom.html
Sep 08, 2011 @ 13:25:15
Be firm, be fair, and be consistent.