How to Control a High School Classroom

For many, the most intimidating part of teaching is controlling the classroom. High school students can offer a greater challenge than younger students. Often teachers enter high school classrooms fearful about the reception their students might give them. Controlling a high school classroom takes a dedicated and determined teacher.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Arrive early and greet students by name. Remove any anonymity the student may feel and she is much less likely to be disruptive.
2. Have work ready for the students to be actively engaged. Boredom is the leading cause of out of control behavior. Most students stay busy when given important work to do in class.
3. Play games with your students and have a sense of humor. Design games that work with the lesson plans that are creative and thought provoking. Humor and games put students at ease and create a better classroom environment.
4. Respond to disruptions immediately. Dole out consequences that fit the offense. Don't be too harsh or too lenient.
5. Give students second and third chances. At the start of each day greet a commonly disruptive student with a cheerful attitude.
6. Speak with disruptive students privately about their behavior. Refrain from demeaning or belittling a student in front of his peers.
7. Arrange for parent-teacher conferences when necessary. Approach these with a positive attitude. Ask the parents for help and advice. Let them see that you value their child and want to work towards a resolution.

Tips & Warnings

• Send students out of class only when they are truly disrupting the learning of others.