Do's and Don'ts

Classroom Management Tips: Dos and Dont's

When planning your classroom management strategies, you should make sure to include the following points in them

·         Never give verbal or physical threats to the students. More importantly, never get involved into a confrontation in front of the class.

·         Avoid using negative symbols, such as 'X', to mark a wrong answer. You can use a '/' (slash) instead.

·         Avoid using red ink to give grades, red color represents negativity and hence is best avoided.

·         The students look at teacher as an inspiration, so you wouldn't want to fumble in front of them. Be well prepared with the lessons that you will take well in advance.

·         Be firm, yet friendly and supportive to the students. Any inclination on either side will send wrong signals to the student.

·         Act fairly with all the students irrespective of how they behave with you. A mistake from the best student of your class calls for the same punishment, which you would give to the most naughty student for the act.

Remember that classroom management is a skill which has to be practiced throughout your career. These classroom management strategies will also help you to cut down on problems such as indiscipline, and indirectly lessen the distractions in your classroom.

First Days of School: Develop the classroom that you want

1.                  Sit with the students to read student handbook, dress code, class procedures

2.                  Have prepared documentation for each homeroom/class on the desk ready or ready for hand-out.

3.                  Discuss expectations of your class and the school.

4.                  Tell some things about yourself, specifically childhood experiences, hobbies, college experiences, and what brought you to where you are.

5.                  Describe the best day in your life and great moments of inspiration (related to education).

6.                  Describe procedures of classroom movement then model the behavior.

7.                  Choose a favorite book and read several pages daily marking where you left-off.

8.                  Each day – for approximately a week-cover the handbook, each classroom expectations, their favorite class/worst class, grading systems, projects, principal expectations, homework calendar, assignments, rubrics, phone numbers, contact information, etc.

Five Top Strategies to Keep Students Learning in a Calm Classroom Environment

Kids are kids. If they are not actively engaged in the lesson, they will become actively engaged in something else – disruptive behavior. Try these five strategies to keep them learning.

Strategy number 5 – Keep the lesson moving. If you have a forty-five minute period, plan three different activities. Try to get them up out of their seats at least once during the class period. Those students with pent up energy will thank you for it.

Strategy number 4 – Don’t lecture for the whole period. Students who are actively engaged in a learning activity are generally not disrupting the class. Hands-on activities work great for vivacious classrooms.

Strategy number 3 – Talk to your students. If you see them in the hall, in the cafeteria or at the grocery store, ask them how they are. If you see a student in the local newspaper, congratulate them. If they do something nice, tell them that you appreciate their kindness. This lets them know that you really do care about them.

Strategy numbers 2 -- When students are being disruptive by talking, poking, pulling or crumpling paper, go stand by them. This works best with boys. I have taught from the back of the room by the orneriest boys. This sends them a direct message to stop what they are doing. Most of the time they stop and get back to work.

Strategy number 1 – When you have stood by the student, talked to the student and kept them busy with lessons, and they still are disruptive, take them in the hallway. Ask them, “Are you OK?” It has been my experience that they crumble and tell you that they had a fight with their parents, didn’t get up on time or are having other issues. If they are defiant, send them on to the principal. Try not to send student to the principal’s office for classroom disruptions.

The act of teaching is a form of influencing others by establishing a learning environment and developing effective classroom management.  Teaching styles vary with personal experiences, exposure, and education.  Books that people read may determine the responses elicited through encounters within the classroom setting.  Each person has a principal weakness and strength that must be used as a tactic to develop sound pedagogy with the classroom.

Common mistakes that beginning teachers make.

1.      Becoming too friendly with the students

2.      Underestimating preparation for a lesson

3.      Ineffective organizational strategies

 References

Wilen, W., Hutchinson, J., & Ishler, M. (2008). Dynamics of effective secondary teaching (6th ed).  Boston: Allyn and Bacon

Read more: http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/3318.aspx#ixzz0wdWulilO

Planning and Conducting Instruction 

Bell ringer Review of previous days lesson

Presentation

Teacher-led guided practice

Independent practice review of today’s lesson

Types of Activities

Opening the Period

Checking Classwork or Homework

Recitation (Question/Answer Sequence)

Content Development

Discussion

Seatwork

Small-Group Work

Test Administration

Student Presentations and Demonstrations

Closing

Preventing Misbehavior

Managing Movement

Momentum – Pacing to move lesson along briskly. Do not dwell too long on individual parts of a lesson

Smoothness – Flowing lesson keeps students’ attention. Establish transitions.

Common Problems in maintain Momentum and Smoothness