How to Handle Your Classroom

Set rules in the beginning of the school year.

Classroom management is essential to learning. Students cannot learn when disruptions prevent them from paying attention to lessons. It is the teacher's responsibility to lead the class and manage the classroom, beginning with the first day of school. Create a plan and apply it throughout the year. Students will respect you, know your expectations and know that you will enforce the rules. You can control your classroom if you plan ahead.

Instructions

1. Set clear rules and consequences. Discuss the rules in class and give students examples of inappropriate and appropriate behavior. Examples of rules may include: follow directions, don't speak when the teacher is speaking, and keep hands and feet to yourself. Post the rules in the classroom and send a copy of the rules home to parents. Set no more than five rules and communicate the consequences for insubordination. Enforce the rules and consequences.

2. Organize the classroom. Assign seats. Place students who need more attention closer to you, being careful not to sit disruptive students in close proximity to each other. Arrange desks so you can easily circulate throughout the class. Place student files in a file cabinet near your desk. Books and other classroom supplies should be easily accessible.

3. Create daily lesson plans and refer to them during the class. Keep students engaged from the moment they enter the classroom. Create age-appropriate warm-up exercises. Warm-up exercises are short assignments that students can complete before you have officially opened the class. Younger children can color or draw. Older children can answer multiple-choice questions or solve problems. Account for every moment that students are in class in the plans, and describe how you and the students will transition from activity to activity.

4. Consistently monitor the students. Stand when the students are working. Don't sit at your desk. Circulate throughout the class, and stand next to students who are misbehaving. Oftentimes, your proximity will redirect the students, stopping the inappropriate behavior. Eye contact and a stern look can also redirect students. Call the student's name and acknowledge the misbehavior if the disruption continues.

References

• Adprima 1997-2011:Classroom Management and Managing Student Conduct
• National Education Association: Set Up Rules and Routines