Whether you’re in your first year of teaching or have years of experience, behavior management is an issue in every classroom. Spend more time planning and teaching, and less time disciplining and cajoling, by incorporating these tips into your classroom.
1. Establish Classroom Rules with Your Students
When students take part in establishing the rules (even if you guide them in a specific direction), they feel valued and invested in classroom management goals.
2. Create a Classroom Climate that Supports the Rules
Promote positive behavior with the right classroom climate. Provide stacking trays for assignment collection, set up a quiet area, and configure desks in a way that’s most conducive to focus and participation.
3. Teach to the Class and the Individuals
Balance whole-class teaching with individualized work to avoid unnecessary behavior problems. When students don’t understand or need a challenge, frustration and boredom can lead to behavior issues.
4. Check for Understanding
Use best practices to ensure students understand, keeping them engaged and motivated. Pause for a few seconds after asking a question, walk through the classroom frequently, and be available during and after class for questions.
5. Give Sincere, Detailed Praise Daily
“Good job on your math assignment!” is nice, but general praise. Boost students’ self-esteem and motivate their efforts with detailed praise such as “I really like how you worked through the problems and showed your steps.” Give younger students stickers or use incentive charts for praise and motivation.
6. Determine Consequences for Broken Rules
Include your students in the discussion about consequences so they understand them and feel they’ve had a hand in creating them.
7. Lead by Example
Ensure your classroom behavior aligns with what you expect from your students. They will respect your example and follow it.
8. Be a Teacher, Not a Friend
Maintain the respect you earn from your students by being a leader. Don’t be afraid to be firm when necessary in order to guide them in the right direction.
9. Work Together to Maintain an Overall Positive Classroom Atmosphere
Take time each day, as a whole class, to highlight the good things going on in your classroom.
10. Find Something Good in Every Student
Some students are more difficult to enjoy. Make the extra effort to find the good qualities in these students and focus on them.
What tips have you used in the classroom to maintain a positive learning environment and good behavior? We’d like to hear what’s worked for you in small situations and bigger challenges. Leave your comments below the post to share with our community of readers.
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