Good Classroom Management Can Lead to a Great Year

I remember when I was trying to decide whether to become a teacher or not that I signed on at the local public school to be a substitute teacher. I thought I should see what it was like in the classroom firsthand before I put in so many hours of education. My first sub job was at a middle school; grades six through eight. This experience taught me one thing; I knew I never wanted to teach middle school!  I was certain I could become a good teacher if I never had to teach eighth graders again! Harsh, I know. Well, of course, when my first teaching opportunity finally came, I found out in the middle of the interview that the high school included eighth through twelfth grade students, and yes, they were looking specifically for an eighth grade teacher. Funny, how things work out. I accepted the position and ended up teaching three eighth grade and two eleventh grade English classes my first year. I found that I actually loved teaching eighth graders. What saved me, I believe, was following the advice of veteran teachers who advised me to have a solid classroom management plan in place before ever bumping into the first discipline problem. I admit my first year was a whirlwind, and I didn't do everything right, but I did have a good classroom management plan which I will highlight below.

For me, the first element of a good classroom management plan includes being prepared.  A teacher that is prepared for the day has the confidence required to maintain a positive attitude in the class. Believe me; I am not saying “all you have to do is be prepared and all good things will follow.”  I am merely saying that it goes such a long way in creating the mood for the class.  If you doubt the effect being prepared has on a class, take a minute to remember the times that you were not as prepared as you would have hoped. Your panic flows through the class and the students become as flustered as you feel. Flustered students lead to chaos in a matter of seconds.  Being prepared (i.e. know your lesson plan, have your copies made, have your PPT ready, etc .  . . ) creates a flow in the class that engages students in learning rather than the dozens of other things they can think of to get off task.

The second classroom management technique I use is to have the class rules posted in the class.  Now these are not just a list of rules that I spout out at the beginning of the school year. I like to keep it simple.  I have a sign on my wall that says “Respect People – Respect Property.”  I explain to the students that these are the two rules we will follow during the school year.  I then hand out a 3 x 5 card to each student and ask them to write down three things: 1) What it looks like for a student to respect a student, 2) What it looks like a for a student to respect a teacher, and 3) What it looks like for a teacher to respect a student. I take them home, type them in a three column master list, give each student a copy and hang one on the wall under my “Respect People – Respect Property” sign. I don’t’ put their names on it, but they know it is a compilation of all of my students’ opinions. We discuss them and agree that these will be the expectations for the year. I very rarely have to refer to them, but when I do, they remember that they were the ones who created the list and that’s usually all it takes. This helps them feel that each day is a group effort and not just a dictatorship.

My third technique is to let all students know that each day is a fresh start for each of them, no matter what happened the day before. For some reason, this brings them peace.  They know that I will not hold a grudge. The concept of new beginnings makes the class start off each day on a good note (especially if I am prepared and I follow the “respect” rules.) This creates a positive classroom environment.

The fourth technique is to be consistent. I believe students crave consistency. This should not be translated to mean “teach the same old thing every day,” but more as an organized daily plan that students can count on. Bell work before class, and a journal entry at the end of each class, are two great procedures that help create an environment that students can come to know and trust.

The fifth technique is to be present. I very rarely sit down in class. I always walk around; up and down the aisles. I make nice comments about what students have done so far and try to maintain a motivating, positive attitude. I’m not just making sure they are on task. I am truly interested in what they are producing. I question them, compliment them, and ask them to explain their theory or responses to me. This also gives me a chance to take roll with a clipboard and greet each student individually each day.

There are so many techniques we can adopt to keep a smooth running classroom. I hope the five techniques I have provided, 1) be prepared, 2) post class rules that the students have helped to establish, 3) provide a fresh start each day for students, 4) be consistent and 5) be present (move around the class) will get you started on a great new school year!