We have all been blessed with the horror stories that some veteran teachers like to share with (and scare) young teachers. Don't be scared! Realize that some things are out of your control. With that being said there are proactive steps that you can take to make classroom management a much easier task to tackle.
1. Present procedures, expectations, and consequences on day one.
Students need to know what you want them to do and the reasoning behind it. Make your expectations clear on day one as well as the consequences so that students know what will happen should they fail to follow rules and endanger the learning of others.
2. Organization and clarity make all the difference.
We have all worked with someone who has been the "least organized person we've ever met." How did you feel throughout this experience? I know that I have been frustrated when this has happened in the past. Disorganization can waste time and lose student attention when it happens in the classroom. Prepare yourself in advance!
3. Effectively utilize ALL instructional time.
This concept is one that I often heard pushed in my educational psychology class. If you engage your students for the entire class period they won't have the time or the need to misbehave! Crazy to think about, eh? Keep them actively learning and you drastically lower your chances of having to utilize intense classroom management as an afterthought.
4. Building rapport is essential.
Credibility, credibility, credibility. Remember that "Students don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Building a respectful relationship with them will make life much easier. They will then respect your "ask" and focus on learning without "fighting the power."
5. Promote good behavior.
Positivity is KEY. Negative talk can really wear down on students. Reinforcing the type of behavior that you want to see in your classroom can help you to see more of that behavior. Be cautious not to over-praise as this can cause backwards growth in the realm of classroom management. There is a sweet spot that you should try to stay in when praising and reinforcing. Set you expectations high!
Classroom management is not going to be easy but it will be worth it! Remember not to get discouraged if you mess up when managing the class, just take note and remember to do better next time. You've got this!
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References:
Wong, H.K. & Wong, R.T. (2009). The first days of school: How to be an effective teacher (4th ed.). Mountain View: Harry K. Wong Publications, Inc.
Newcomb, L.H., McCracken, J.D., Warmbrod, J.R., & Whittington, M.S. (1993). Methods of teaching agriculture. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Your five steps are really helpful and a great way to prepare for classroom management! I also like the last sentence “you’ve got this.” It’s a positive reminder for all of us.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Angie! All of the factors you mentioned are very important in creating a positive learning environment for all.
ReplyDeleteOne of my virtual mentors suggested this to me, so I figured I'd pass the advice on to you! She waits to go over classroom expectations/procedures until the 2nd day of school, and sets the tone for the year through an engaging activity/ action the first day. This starts your relationship with them and also gives them a break from the endless syllabi they read over in every other class the first day!
Angie, this is so insightful! Classroom management is key to a successful classroom and a successful year. These five steps are a great way to prepare.
ReplyDeleteAngie, I like your 5 tips! What are some things you plan to do to keep things organized? Have you research activities or techniques that you can utilize to build rapport?
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