Managing Classroom Behavior: Effective Classroom Management

One of the most difficult experiences teachers will face is having effective classroom management. As teachers, if we don’t have control of our classroom management then it will be difficult to teach throughout the school year. Here are some classroom management strategies that I have used in the classroom to help keep a positive classroom environment. By no means am I an expert, but these tips have worked wonders every school year.

1. Allow your students to create the classroom rules. This sounds scary but I have been amazed every year by the rules my students come up with. Students will tell you what they consider appropriate classroom behavior. This year I was very proud of my students when they came up with the rule that we are a community and we must share with one another. My 4^th graders are experts at sharing their supplies and snacks with one another. It is rare that these 9 year old children are displaying inappropriate student behavior.
2. Be specific. If we expect children to behave a certain way we must specifically tell and show them what that looks like. Let’s say one of your classroom rules is to be respectful to one another; tell and show them what that means. Act out a scenario or two for each of your rules. One scenario could be having two students “pretend” to be calling each other names. Take this opportunity to demonstrate what it should not look like. Then use that scenario and turn it into an example of what it should look like. Have two students or you as the teacher model with a student what being respectful means.
3. Be firm. Students must know that there are consequences for not following the rules. The firmness needs to be consistent with each student.
4. Constantly praise. I like to use Randy Sprick’s (famous classroom management guru) 3:1 ratio interaction. This means that I must interact 3 times more often with a student when he/she is behaving positively than when misbehaving. This is really helpful with those students that are starving for attention and will do anything to cause attention (even if it is negative) to themselves. Constantly scan the room and verbally praise a student(s) who is following the classroom expectations. This works wonders because other students want the recognition and they will follow suit to receive that verbal recognition. It’s just a natural human reaction.
5. Develop a relationship with each parent. This means communicate with parents constantly; especially on those occasions that a child demonstrates desirable behavior. Go ahead and pick up the phone and give verbal praise to the parent. I guarantee you that the parent will be surprised because most teachers only call home when there are problems with a child. After the phone call the child will more than likely hear about their teacher calling home and make the child feel appreciated. Having an open and positive relationship with parents’ works wonders. It lets both parents and students know that you care.
6. Reward your students. I know you might think this is bribing a child but it can be small. Give your students’ praise, invite students’ to lunch bunch in the classroom, give them a hand stamp. These are just a few of the small rewards that children enjoy. I have used it in my classroom when I use to teach 1^st grade and currently works with my 4^th graders (the grade I teach now).

These are some of the tips that have worked well for me in having effective classroom management. Yes, there will be days that it may get difficult to implement, but the trick is to always be consistent and patient. Positive classroom management doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it takes a few weeks but before you know it all systems will fall into place and you will not waste minutes when teaching your curriculum.