Good classroom management begins on the first day of school. Whether a first year teacher or a veteran, setting the tone becomes the key to on-going classroom management. Too often, teachers take extreme positions for a variety of motivations and they usually find that withdrawing from unrealistic methods may create entirely new issues. Establishing a workable class environment in which goals are achieved involves both the “bigger picture” and attending to daily details.
The First Week of School
Some teachers set the tone by attempting to be ultra friendly in the hopes of securing the well being of the class, but this seldom works. The “buddy teacher” may be popular, but is often the most abused. Too often, teachers that attempt to get too close to their students by ignoring infractions, making light of inappropriate situations, and joking with students in the first few days of the school year are not taken seriously.
Invariably, as students become more uncontrollable during the course of the school year or attempt greater liberties, these teachers try to reign in the malefactors but without much success. School disciplinarians are far more apt to give the students the benefit of the doubt, knowing that the teacher has permitted too much laxity.
Conversely, there is the “Attila the Hun” teacher who takes no prisoners. Having built a reputation as an absolute despot in the classroom, students cringe being assigned to the class. These teachers counsel new teachers to “never smile until January.” Although management is never an issue, students are alienated and often afraid to ask questions or seek extra help.
The best teachers begin the semester with firmness and fairness. Quick to address even minor infractions, like students passing notes, they set a tone based on mutual respect. They maintain their classrooms in good order and never expect from students what they do not demonstrate themselves everyday. They affirm students, even when an answer is incorrect, but are swift to stop classroom distractions.
Dealing with Student Infractions and Demonstrating Respect
In the movie War Games, the biology teacher returns tests to the class, holding high a test with a huge “F” emblazoned on the front, in an obvious effort to embarrass the student. Sadly, this occurs everyday in classrooms, often accompanied by sarcasm. Hardly professional, it cuts to the heart of student respect and confidentiality. It is no wonder such actions are continual fodder for Hollywood movies that caricature teachers as incompetent buffoons.
Similarly, teachers should never read confiscated notes taken from students. Although students broke class rules and created a disruption, the confidentiality of the note itself trumps embarrassing a student. Often such notes contain highly personal information. Occasionally, they may even demean the teacher. The best policy is to destroy the note immediately and move on.
Being able to handle the small infractions decisively sends a strong message and often preempts more overt behavioral issues. Sending a student to the front office or to the disciplinarian should always be a last resort. Teachers that develop reputations for maintaining good classroom management skills are respected by the students and the entire school community.
Other Helpful Tips
- Post classroom rules and publish them in course syllabi.
- Never turn out all of the lights during presentations using the overhead projector or power point.
- Never leave the classroom unattended or unsupervised.
- Address minor infractions after the class with the offending student rather than allowing the incident to break into a lesson.
- Be consistent in punishment and in praise.
- Maintain a professional distance with students and avoiding favoritism.
- Move around the class while teaching.
Certainly there are other good tips that individual teachers use successfully. The above noted suggestions reflect the very basics of good, on-going classroom management skills. Remember, however: setting the tone begins on day one. Once lost, respect and management is extremely difficult to restore.
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