Classroom management becomes truly effective when the teacher is able to effectively communicate to their classes that they mean business.
Easier said than done, right? It actually is quite easy, although there is a subtle art to it. However, even if you are a teacher who is struggling right now with class management issues, you can go into your classroom tomorrow and send the message immediately that you mean business by doing one simple thing right now.
Make up your mind that you will take ownership of the management issues in your class and that you will be the one to deal effectively with them. Understand that effective classroom management begins and ends with you. Put away the detention slips, and use them only for serious offenses. Remind yourself that this is your classroom, and you have been empowered by the school district to manage it professionally and effectively. Then, sit down and write a list of the class management issues that you are experiencing which are making it almost impossible for you to teach your class.
Put the curriculum on hold for a week. Don't worry, once you get the class working effectively, you can catch up. They are probably not learning much now anyway, so focus like a laser beam on your list.
Examine your list. Ask yourself: what can I do to decrease the problems I am having, and increase my on task teaching time? Try to think like one of your students. What really motivates them? Why do they act the way they act? Why do they do these things in my class but not in other classes?
Then, prepare lessons which deal with every problem on your list. Talk about them openly with your class. Try to get them involved and engaged with the problems in class. Be clear and precise with them, and discuss the importance of the issues in your lessons. Be firm, but understanding. Try not to yell, but do not plead either. Show them you are in control of yourself and your emotions, and that from now on, things are going to be different in this classroom.
Set behavior goals with the class which can be measured and if met, they can receive a reward. Link them to the problems on your list. Show your students you appreciate their cooperation, but do not overdo it, otherwise they will think you are trying to manipulate them. Remember that your goal is to decrease problems and increase on task teaching time. Chart your progress towards that goal, and cross off your list the issues you effectively have been able to conquer.
Lastly, understand that effective classroom management is never going to be perfect. Some days will be good, and others not so good. However, if you decide to take control today, you will have more good days than bad. Guaranteed.
Easier said than done, right? It actually is quite easy, although there is a subtle art to it. However, even if you are a teacher who is struggling right now with class management issues, you can go into your classroom tomorrow and send the message immediately that you mean business by doing one simple thing right now.
Make up your mind that you will take ownership of the management issues in your class and that you will be the one to deal effectively with them. Understand that effective classroom management begins and ends with you. Put away the detention slips, and use them only for serious offenses. Remind yourself that this is your classroom, and you have been empowered by the school district to manage it professionally and effectively. Then, sit down and write a list of the class management issues that you are experiencing which are making it almost impossible for you to teach your class.
Put the curriculum on hold for a week. Don't worry, once you get the class working effectively, you can catch up. They are probably not learning much now anyway, so focus like a laser beam on your list.
Examine your list. Ask yourself: what can I do to decrease the problems I am having, and increase my on task teaching time? Try to think like one of your students. What really motivates them? Why do they act the way they act? Why do they do these things in my class but not in other classes?
Then, prepare lessons which deal with every problem on your list. Talk about them openly with your class. Try to get them involved and engaged with the problems in class. Be clear and precise with them, and discuss the importance of the issues in your lessons. Be firm, but understanding. Try not to yell, but do not plead either. Show them you are in control of yourself and your emotions, and that from now on, things are going to be different in this classroom.
Set behavior goals with the class which can be measured and if met, they can receive a reward. Link them to the problems on your list. Show your students you appreciate their cooperation, but do not overdo it, otherwise they will think you are trying to manipulate them. Remember that your goal is to decrease problems and increase on task teaching time. Chart your progress towards that goal, and cross off your list the issues you effectively have been able to conquer.
Lastly, understand that effective classroom management is never going to be perfect. Some days will be good, and others not so good. However, if you decide to take control today, you will have more good days than bad. Guaranteed.
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