How to Resolve Classroom Management Issues

Effective classroom management is one of the strengths of a quality teacher. You could be the smartest person in the world, but if you can't keep control of your class, you're not being an effective educator.

Instructions

1. Develop a routine. Students like the safety of routine and knowing what to expect. Take the time at the beginning of the year to explain how the class will be run and hold them to it. Be clear as to what the guidelines and expectations are, as well as consequences for misbehavior or uncompleted work.

2. Have good lesson plans. Knowing what you want to accomplish and how long it should take beforehand makes the class run much smoother. When you try to "wing it," you can't be enthusiastic about the lesson because you are always thinking about what will be next.

3. Mix up your lesson plans. Students are more likely to misbehave if you do the same thing every day. No one wants to listen to five days of lecture. Have some hands-on activities or take a field trip. The more different ways you deliver the material, the more likely the students are to retain it.

4. Be consistent. Students will get away with whatever you let them. If they know there are no consequences for their behavior, they will walk all over you. If you threaten a consequence and don't follow through with it, they will always misbehave.

5. Make an example out of someone. Early in the year, it is important that you stop any small problems before they become big ones. If a student continually misbehaves, a detention doesn't hurt. Remember that it is important to show them who's in charge.

Tips & Warnings

• Veteran teachers have a saying, "Don't smile until Thanksgiving." This means that you must set the tone with the students early in the year or else they won't respect you. Remember that advice.