Classroom management is a really key component of providing an effective environment where students can learn, feel safe, and form respect for others. I will provide the different strategies I have used in the classroom which I have found to be effective during my teaching.
Classroom Management Strategies
1.) A clear set of classroom rules
On my wall, I have (depending on my class’ needs) anywhere from 6-10 rules that are to be followed when they are there. My rules typically include: 1.) Use yellow zone voices inside classroom, and red zone when asked. 2.) Raise your hand if you have a question; 3.) No toys at your desk unless stated otherwise; 4.) Be silent in line up and down hallways; 5.) No talking back; 6.) Respect others feelings and belongings; 7.) Be silent on the carpet; 8.) Try your best; 9.) Be a kind friend to others.
On the whiteboard, I have it listed “You Broke Rule” 1 2 3 4 5 etc. If they break a rule, their name is listed under the rule they broke. I then have a class chart where I put an ‘X’ beside their name. In order to remove the X, they must do a classroom chore. At the end of the month, students that have no X’s receive a small prize.
2.) Use a voice amplifier so all students can hear me clearly.
This little device makes a large impact on students. When students can hear my voice clearly, they take me more seriously. Good bye to ever raising my voice.
3.) Ring a bell to get students attention
If the classroom gets a little too loud at times, ringing this bell has saved me in those moments. I really love the sound too.
4.) Stop, Show 10
When the teacher says “Stop, Show 10,” the students immediately stop what they are doing and raise both hands in the air. You can also do Stop, Show 5 for younger grades.
5.) Clapping your hands to a beat and having children copy you.
“Clap-clap-clap…clap-clap”
When the teacher claps his/her hands to a specific beat, the students follow the beat the teacher had done to get their attention.
6.) Show two, show one, show zero.
The teacher will call out and say show two (the students will show two fingers), then show 1 (they will show one), and show zero. This captures the students’ attention because they have to listen and follow.
7.) Turn off the classroom lights.
Turning off the lights gets students’ attentions right away. It usually symbolizes for them to stop talking.
This is a great tool to use to remind students of how to deal with conflict in appropriate ways. Students are often quick to showing aggression or raising their voices when they have not gotten their way. Reminding students of this and having them choose one to follow is a great way to have students behave well.
8.) Talking with students individually and/or with the person they are having conflict with
It is best to lower the voice and keep it firm but friendly in these matters. The issue is between you and the students involved. It is good to speak in a tone that is more quiet, or leave the room and have a supervisor watch over the class for a couple minutes. It is good to hear both sides of the story if more than one student was involved and have them apologize to one another.
9.) For bigger issues, contact parents, and in severe cases, admin.
In larger cases such as students fighting, using offensive language, or in cases of bullying, it is important to have parents be involved. If it continues, it is important to have admin step in.
