Managing your Classroom

Effective classroom management might be one of the most important aspects you as a teacher can do to achieve a healthy classroom environment. This is something that takes time and patience, but if you can create a clear outlook for students regarding the expectations you have, things will run much smoother and you will cut out a lot of waisted time that can be used to engage students in activities. I have listed a few of my own personal thoughts with regard to how I manage my own classroom:

1. Be clear with your expectations

• The first day of class, one of the first things I do with my students is to clearly communicate the rules and expectations for the entire year. I discuss with them the rules of class, and consequences. At the end of class on the first day, I make sure to ask students what the rules/expectations for the year are.

2. Stick to the rules

• Students will pick up if you are not sticking to the rules/expectations you have set forth in class, which can lead to an even more chaotic classroom environment. So do not be afraid to be harsh with your students early on if they break a rule, they will make sure they do not break that rule the next time.

3. Don't be afraid to communicate with parents

• I have found that clear communication with parents is always beneficial with a class that struggles with following classroom management procedures. Sometimes all it takes is a quick email home or even a discussion with the classroom teacher.

4. It's Ok to let students wait

• Some students love to talk, and this might be one of my biggest pet peeves, especially if I am trying to discuss a new skill or perform a demonstration during class. I have found that sometimes just letting students continue to talk while I stand patiently waiting for them to quiet down can be effective. Usually, other students that see this will ask or tell their peers to be quiet and this can mean more coming from them than the teacher.

5. Reward classes that are on task

• Rewarding classes that are on task and following the rules is a great way to encourage and reinforce the expectations you have set forth for students. During my student teaching experience, I worked with a very good physical education teacher, and learned a lot from him. One of the best classroom management tools he gave me was something he called P.E. Class of the Week. It was a great classroom management tool for teachers to use to reward classes that were on task, following the rules, and showing respect for themselves and others. I have included a link of P.E. Class of the Week for you to take a look at.

There are a ton of different classroom management strategies you can use in your own classroom, and the best way to see if something works for you is to try it. So don't be afraid to see what works!!!