Classroom Management

What is Classroom Management? “Classroom management is the practices and procedures that allow teachers to teach and students to learn.”

The Ideal Teacher: Enjoys students. Uses different teaching techniques. Has a great sense of humor. Acts like an adult and not a child (or high school student). Keeps promises. Is organized. Knows the subject matter. Admits when he or she is wrong. Uses a pleasant voice. Is enthusiastic about the subject. Is willing to listen to both sides of an issue. Has a reputation for giving challenging work. Isn’t a pushover. Keeps misbehaving students in line. Keeps everyone busy. Does not have favorites. Is polite to everyone all of the time. Is friendly and fair.

The Teacher-Student Relationship You should show that you care about your students. Attend sporting events, ask about their hobbies, make a connection. You should have a thorough knowledge of your subject matter. Being prepared builds trust. You should take command of the class. If you are not the classroom leader, the students will gladly assume the position. You should act in a mature manner all of the time. Don’t be sarcastic. Don’t tell lies. Don’t lose your temper. You should maintain a certain emotional distance between yourself and your students. Students have peers. They need you to teach.

Dressing Appropriately According to Harry Wong, “We are walking, talking advertisements for who we are.” Educators should dress for respect, credibility, acceptance, and authority.

Effective Instruction A structured and instructionally sound classroom will eliminate a majority of misbehaviors. Two important key factors are: Room arrangement Time management

Movement is the key Be able to have quick access to any student at any time. Be comfortable moving around your room during instructional periods. Being in close proximity to a student is an effective deterrent.

Effective Time Management Curbs Discipline Problems The more engaged a student is the better he behaves. Students tend to be more distracted during these 3 phases of instruction: The beginning of class Transitions The end of class

Ideas for the Beginning of Class It is ESSENTIAL that the students have an activity to complete as soon as the bell rings. Take roll while the students are working on the assignment. Have your students: Create a test question. Illustrate important information. Scan the day’s reading assignment. Take a mini-quiz. Draw a cartoon. Summarize the previous day’s topic.

Managing Transitions Julia G. Thompson suggests the following techniques: Time students between transitions. Provide students with a checklist of the day’s activities. Give students activities to “sponge” any dead time. List ten words associated with the lesson today. Defend your position on… Make flashcards for this unit. Circle the key words from yesterday’s notes.

Ending Class Without Chaos The end of class should be as structured as the beginning. Closing exercises will provide a constructive review of the day’s lesson. Be sure that you dismiss the students and not the bell. Some more ideas to try from Julia G. Thompson: Chain Games Rapid-fire drills Predict the next lesson Review homework directions Show a relevant cartoon Play a game for bonus points

An Effective Discipline Plan The 3 most important student behaviors to teach on the first days of school are: Discipline Procedures Routines “If you do not have a plan, you are planning to fail.”

Your Discipline Plan

The Rules About Rules Wong writes, “The function of a rule is to prevent or encourage behavior by clearly stating student expectations.” General Rules: Respect others. Be polite and helpful. Specific Rules: Be in class on time. Keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself. What are the advantages and disadvantages to both?

Creating Your Class Rules Only have 3 to 5 rules State rules positively. Make the rules easy for you and your students to remember. Be able to enforce the rules consistently. Remember: Rules deal with behavior, not procedures.

Rewards Harry Wong emphasizes, “The best reward is the satisfaction of a job well done.” Some examples include: Praise A note home (Good News Cards) Student of the day, week, or month Tangible rewards Work posted Certificates of Honor Coupons

Penalties Time out Demerit or fine Detention Assignment to write ways to correct problem Being last to leave Loss of reward Exclusion of class participation

Enlist Parent Support Be sure to send a copy of your discipline plan home to parents the first day of school. Make positive parent contact before you need their assistance with a problem. Contact parents as soon as you see a change in their child’s behavior patterns. Parents can be one of your biggest allies in managing the student’s behavior.

Procedures and Routines Harry Wong writes in The First Days of School, “The number one problem in the classroom is not discipline; it is the lack of procedures and routines.” Wong also states, “A procedure is simply a method or process for how things are to be done in a classroom.” Procedures answer the question, “What do I do when…?”

Classroom Procedures That Must Become Routine: Beginning of a period. Do students know what to do? Quieting a class. Do students know how you will quiet them down? Students seeking help. Do students know how to get your attention? Movement of students and papers. Do students know how to move about the room and pass papers in? End of period. Do students know who or what will dismiss them at the end of the period? From The First Days of School, by Harry Wong

Procedures to Consider Asking a question Responding to fire, severe weather, and tornado drills Leaving the classroom When visitors arrive Keeping a notebook Interruptions Getting classroom materials Entering the classroom Getting to work immediately End of class dismissal Participating in class discussions Changing groups Turning in papers When you finish early From The First Days of School, by Harry Wong

You Must Teach Procedures! EXPLAIN REHEARSE REINFORCE

4 Actions That Helped Me and Will Help You Too! Maintain a professional relationship with students and fellow colleagues. Be fair and consistent with students regardless of who they are. Use class time wisely to avoid misbehaviors. Take an interest in students’ extracurricular activities.

NO Classroom Management=No learning ?!

No classroom management made life in school generally more difficult, and more demanding ,on those who are charged with maintaining a positive learning environment.

Questions? Thank You!