What is your best classroom management technique?

Based on my experience from having the worst classroom management to a better one over the years is to not worry about creating too complicated or too many class rules. Instead spend the first week or so getting to know your students and fostering classroom culture. Showing students that you honestly care about them and fostering respectful relationships is more effective than having a set of rules to follow.

As per my experience, most of the time classroom management ends up becoming time management. We need to understand that it is first and foremost about connecting with students and making them feel comfortable. Once you are able to establish a connection, half of the problem is solved; they will now listen to you and then you can set some ground rules. This doesn't happen in an instant but over some time. Schools/classrooms must be flexible enough to honor and accommodate it. Once the connection is established, classroom management becomes much easier and in many cases, facilitators end up achieving much more in an year than asked for :)

One can overwhelm students with too many rules - especially if students have no say in what those rules are. Students buy into the rules when they have a hand in creating them. Twenty years ago I had a grade 7 class who created one rule: "Be respectful of everyone and their stuff all the time." When students wondered if their behaviour was appropriate, they would check to see if what they were doing (or wanting to do) fit that one rule. It was incredibly simple to remember and since the students created it, they felt comfortable reminding their peers of it which lessened classroom misbehaviour. That one rule has stayed with me.

One thing which has been helpful and effective is to Co-consturct with students 'Essential agreements' for the whole year. This is put up in the class and is a daily reminder of the contract between the teacher and students of how the class will function the entire year. It is not only related to academics but also about general behaviour, respecting resources and people etc.

Many classroom management tips are covered here. Creating connections with students, building a classroom community, creating a fun/ engaging environment, and having specific/ limited rules and letting students have a say in creating them. One strategy that can really impact classroom management is transitions. First, It is so important to be prepared for the day. Needing to take time to find something or grab something leads to wait time which is hard for students. Second, having trusted transitions that students enjoy and engage in help them to be excited about moving from one thing to the next. Taking time to prepare (for what you can), having back up plans, and using catchy/fun transitions are important aspects to consider.

Before students enter the classroom, I build for inclusivity. I evaluate my classroom design to see if it invites all students to feel part of the classroom or excludes them based on too much visual stimulation, too many materials out, and teacher-centered. Create a classroom where students are seen, valued, and heard. Students are taught to advocate for themselves by being problem-solvers. We work collaboratively to resolve miscommunications. I am a facilitator and listen to my students as they discuss topics. I interject and clarify as needed. The students are empowered and exude happiness. Building positive relationships starts with building trust, empathy, and compassion. It also helps to reduce our stress and find joy!

This is super important. Students respond better to teachers that they have good relationships with, that have taken the time to get to know them, listen to their problems and sincerely care for them as people. One thing I use to do with my students is have lunch with my star of the week and some friends. It was only for 15 minutes but it helped them feel special and allowed me to build bonds with them. I also found a way that all students would get this opportunity.

I agree with this... Creating a positive environment in the classroom goes a long way in building a healthy environment. Students interacting with each other, sharing jokes and life events helps in not only learning, but also in development of emotional and social maturity.

Building positive relationships has been THE key for my classroom management. I taught high functioning junior high & high school age students with disabilities for 10 years. Many of these students had behavioral problems (primarily boys) which could’ve created a miserable classroom for all of us. I would spend the first part of every year just building camaraderie within our class. This made all the difference in the behavior of those who struggled in the typical classroom setting & listening to the typical class lecture. You have to see your students as people, not just students. There is more to them than academics. We need to recognize all the other aspects of the student first & celebrate that before any teaching can take place.

One thing I've found effective in creating and sustaining a positive classroom management system is mutually listening to each other. As an elementary counselor, I teach my students in their homerooms. One important rule I reinforce daily is to listen much more than you talk. What does this look like? Sharing your lesson objective/focus, for all students to see. Since I'm visiting students in their homeroom, I project my objective on the board along with materials needed, and other valuable information. I start by saying, "I need your eyes on me and your ears listening. You may ask questions, but hold your questions until after the objective." This method decreases unnecessary lesson disruptions. I tap the board when reminders are needed.

I use a one hundred chart for keeping track of incentives. I put an x over the number when we complete a task. Different tasks have different values. For example, listening within three seconds of me telling them is worth one team point. Getting in line quietly and quickly is worth five team points. If you want your children to walk down the hallway quietly, you could make hallway behavior worth ten points. Let your students know how many points each activity is worth. They know what to expect and can work towards earning as many points as possible. Discussion should revolve around points they could have achieved, giving feedback on their progress, and class discussions on their teamwork. Students should vote on their team's reward.

I have this strategy of raising my hand when I need attention. My learners and teachers too are told to raise their hand, as a sign they are done working, collaborating, discussing etc. this works well as it visually reminds us all that some of us are done with the given task and someone is waiting to take the session forward.

Additionally, building positive relationships with students, showing empathy and understanding, promoting a supportive and inclusive classroom environment, utilizing effective classroom organization and seating arrangements, providing clear and structured instructions, and actively engaging students in decision-making and problem-solving can further enhance classroom management. Regularly assessing and reflecting on the effectiveness of your techniques and making adjustments accordingly is essential for maintaining a productive and harmonious learning environment.

While responding to misbehavior is a must, what we cannot forget is to respond to "good" behavior. This shows students that their positive behavior is valued and it helps build positive relationships. We should be spending more time on assets based interactions rather than deficit based ones.

I definitely used proximity as a key strategy to reduce disruptive or inappropriate behavior. Just being nearby, within earshot, can keep unruly behaviors from getting out of control. Plus, I was able to keep my finger on the pulse of the dynamic between students. I taught in a middle school, and that’s when all the gossip and “mean” chit-chat can start. If I heard that a kiddo was being bullied or about to get themselves into a bullying situation, I was able to diffuse the situation just by being nearby.

I have used a co-construction approach for over a decade and it still stands effective. At the commencement of the academic year or semester, We (I and my students) reflect on classroom behaviors that boosted, or negatively affected their learning in the previous year. We maintain classroom procedures that were effective, and amend, remove stricter or outdated ones as learner grow in age and mature. Since, their voice are head, they gladly flow with the classroom proceedings and behave well.

Creating a classroom community where the children help one another and work together has always worked for me. Children learn to encourage each other to do their best and celebrate successes. This was one strategy I used to help with classroom management

I find that creating content and facilitation activities that are engaging, exciting and inspiring ensures that there is less opportunity for the brighter sparks to misbehave. Make it authentic, meaningful, easy to participate whilst providing a challenge- this is sure to improve on classroom management.

I don’t see the word “routine” in this article. A child with a routine has little room for error. They know what is expected because it is always constant. Of course, children will make mistakes. This is how they learn. But if solid routines and clear expectations are practiced and implemented daily, classrooms will thrive. Also.. work. If a child is always engaged, working, and “busy”.. there is no time for making bad choices! This idea comes straight from Maria Montessori. “Work is the healer.”