Stories by Storie

Everyone has a story to tell. What is yours?

  • Stories by Storie
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
    • Book Activities
    • Book Lists
    • Classroom Management
    • Freebies
    • Math
    • Reading Tips
    • Writing
  • Free
  • Shop
    • Teachers Pay Teachers
    • Amazon
    • Bookshop
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Classroom Management Tips

January 25, 2021

Whether you’re a brand new teacher, a veteran, or somewhere in between, you’ve probably encountered a challenging student or two in the classroom. I know I have. It’s important to create an environment that is welcoming, but also one where learning can take place. Here are some classroom management tips to help you maintain that balance.

Whether you're a brand new teacher, a veteran, or somewhere in between, you've probably encountered a challenging student or two in the classroom. I know I have. It's important to create an environment that is welcoming, but also one where learning can take place. Here are some classroom management tips to help you maintain that balance.

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT TIPS FOR TEACHERS

BE PREPARED

One of the first things I learned about teaching was to always be prepared. That means making sure to plan lessons carefully. As a new teacher, it can be difficult to estimate how long each lesson component might take. I recommend making notes in your lesson plan book at the end of the day or at the end of the week. Be sure to note certain aspects that took either more or less time than expected as well as lessons that will need additional student accommodations next time.

I think it’s also important to have a back-up plan. I often referred to this as my teacher bag of tricks. This would include 5-10 minute activities that I could use at a moment’s notice. Sometimes it included a paper and pencil activity, other times it would be a book, ice breaker, or brain break activity. You never know when your technology will fail or when there might be a delay while waiting for specialists to begin.

SET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS

Before the school year begins, you should have an idea of what your rules and expectations will be. You can also involve your students in this process. Think about how you want your students to do things (enter the classroom, sharpen pencils, get a drink of water, ask to use the restroom, etc.). Make a list of these procedures and model how you want them done. Then practice, practice, practice until your students can do them correctly. One of the hardest for my students was transitioning from one activity to the next quickly, quietly, and safely. Don’t be afraid to revisit and practice these expectations throughout the year – especially after long weekends and holidays. Your kids will need it!

Whether you're a brand new teacher, a veteran, or somewhere in between, you've probably encountered a challenging student or two in the classroom. I know I have. It's important to create an environment that is welcoming, but also one where learning can take place. Here are some classroom management tips to help you maintain that balance.

ESTABLISH A SYSTEM OF REWARDS AND CONSEQUENCES

Once you have set your expectations, it’s time to establish a system of rewards and consequences. How will your students be recognized for making good choices and following directions? What are the steps that will happen when students do not follow the rules? The first thing you need to do is look into your schoolwide expectations and policies and make sure you are following protocol.

My school had a building-wide system of recognizing positive behavior choices with blue slips. Students would submit these into a school-wide drawing for small prizes. In the classroom, I helped my students set classroom goals. When they met a goal, we would have a small celebration before setting a new goal. I also used classroom money and reward coupons.

As for consequences, these were really dependent on the behavior or choices. For most instances, consequences took place directly in the classroom (loss of free choice or recess, think time, behavior note home, etc.). For students who were unsafe or a danger to others, I was in direct contact with our school counselor, instructional specialist, and principal.

BE CONSISTENT

Once you have set clear expectations and have established a system in your classroom, you need to follow through and be consistent. I used classroom goals with my students. We didn’t just set a goal, put the goal tracker on the wall, and then expect the magic to happen. We would actively make it part of our day. That means talking about it, practicing, monitoring progress, complimenting students, problem solving, and holding students accountable when things don’t go as planned.

For example, if your classroom goal is for students to line up quickly and quietly to leave the classroom, then that’s what needs to happen every single time. When it doesn’t, students need to return to their seats and try it again. Sometimes it might take more than once to get it right and that’s okay. It can be frustrating and exhausting, but the extra time you put into it will pay off in the long run.

DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIPS

Relationships with students are key! If you want students to engage with learning, they need to feel welcome, safe, and that they are an important and respected part of the classroom. At the beginning of the year, the best way to get to know your students is through interest surveys and conversations. I loved greeting each of my students at the door each morning. It was a great way to determine their mood for the day. I also would say goodbye to each student at the end of the day. They could choose a high 5, handshake, or hug goodbye. These little things help make your students feel seen while building trust.

Whether you're a brand new teacher, a veteran, or somewhere in between, you've probably encountered a challenging student or two in the classroom. I know I have. It's important to create an environment that is welcoming, but also one where learning can take place. Here are some classroom management tips to help you maintain that balance.

MAKE TIME FOR MOVEMENT

Kids need to move! Research shows that adding movement into your school day helps students increase their focus and ability to stay on task, which opens the door to learning. Some easy ways to do this are by adding brain breaks (GoNoodle and Cosmic Kids are great options) to your day. I have also found success with using centers and rotations as part of my reading and math block to get students up and moving around the classroom.

FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE

Teaching is not easy and there will be many challenging days ahead. Negative behaviors can easily draw your attention away from the students who are doing the right thing. That’s why it’s important to focus on the positive. Here are some of my favorite ways to recognize students for making good choices:

  • compliments
  • postcard or sticky note on the desk
  • phone call or email home
  • letting the principal help with recognition
  • classroom reward coupons
  • classroom money

Most of these ideas are free or low-cost options, but will require a little extra thought and time.

Whether you're a brand new teacher, a veteran, or somewhere in between, you've probably encountered a challenging student or two in the classroom. I know I have. It's important to create an environment that is welcoming, but also one where learning can take place. Here are some classroom management tips to help you maintain that balance.

TAKE TIME TO REFLECT

Every group of students is different. That means what works one year might be a disaster the next. It’s important to constantly reflect on what is and what isn’t working. If there are small issues, have a class meeting to discuss and brainstorm solutions. If it is a larger issue, it might be time to reflect upon and reset your expectations or system.

Whether you are a new teacher, a veteran, or somewhere in between, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Sometimes an outside perspective is just what is needed to solve your classroom management issue. When teachers work together, it helps everyone.

I hope these tips are helpful. Looking for more classroom management tips? Take a look at these posts:

  • Classroom Goals: Part One | Part Two
  • Using a Classroom Economy
  • Classroom Rewards That Won’t Break the Bank
  • More Classroom Management Tips
Whether you're a brand new teacher, a veteran, or somewhere in between, you've probably encountered a challenging student or two in the classroom. I know I have. It's important to create an environment that is welcoming, but also one where learning can take place. Here are some classroom management tips to help you maintain that balance.
signature

Related posts:

3 Ways to Foster Gratitude in the Classroom Read Aloud Tips Scholastic Book Order Activities Choosing Books for Reading Groups Students love to receive notes from their teacher! In our digital world, a handwritten or personalized note can add that special touch and let students know how much you care. Classroom postcards are a quick and easy way to jot a personal note to your students, communicate with families about an upcoming school event, let families know when school supplies are getting low, and more! Here are several ways you can use postcards in the classroom.Classroom Postcards
«
»

Filed Under: classroom management, teacher tips Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Categories

Latest on Instagram

Groundhog Day is almost here. Will he his shadow? Groundhog Day is almost here. Will he his shadow? Only time will tell! One book I love to read this time of year is Groundhog Weather School. Not only does this book provide a bit of the history behind the holiday, but it also includes information about weather and the seasons. If you’re sharing this book, be sure to grab these free activities to help guide your students through the text. They are available in my TPT store.

Which one are you hoping for?
❄️ more winter
🌸 early spring
Do you prefer to blend in OR do you dare to stand Do you prefer to blend in OR do you dare to stand out?

At school, Monique wore a uniform every single day. But looking just like everyone else was not for her. One day, she found a huge, red hat in a trunk in the attic and decided she’d wear it to school. Everyone noticed her and had something to say, which made Monique smile…until a teacher told her she had to take off the hat. 

The next day, everyone at school was wearing a hat - everyone except Monique, who was already planning something new to wear the following day. With each new idea and accessory that makes Monique unique comes a series of kids who copy and mimic her style. Can she find a way to be different?

This book is often hard to find, but has a great message about individuality and celebrating that it’s okay to be different! Have you read this one yet?

@kanemillerbooks
The holiday books have been put away. That means o The holiday books have been put away. That means our shelf is ready for a fresh stack of books to share for bedtime stories. Here’s what came home with me on my latest trip to the local library. 

👀 See any titles that catch your eye?
I may introduce a lot of books to you here on the I may introduce a lot of books to you here on the gram, but sometimes YOU are the ones who introduce books to me. This is one of those stories.

Sarah lives alone in her little house now that her children are all grown up. Every time she looks out her window, she sees the neighborhood children waiting for the bus. One winter morning she notices a boy who doesn’t have mittens. This worries her, so she gathers some supplies and sets out to knit him a new pair. Once finished, she hangs them on the tree next to the bus stop. 

When the boy finds the mittens the next day, he quickly tries them on and beams at their perfect fit. Sarah’s heart is filled with joy and it isn’t long before she makes even more mittens to hang on the tree. The kids look forward to finding these new treasures each morning at the bus stop. Sarah is sure that no one knows it is her adding to the mitten tree until one day she returns home and finds a surprise waiting for her - a basket filled with beautiful balls of yarn.

This heartwarming story has a great message about kindness, community, and the joy that comes from helping others. It would make a great addition to your winter book collection!

Have you read The Mitten Tree?

#themittentree
I might share a lot of picture books, but I do lov I might share a lot of picture books, but I do love chapter books, too. One of my favorites for January is Mr. Popper’s Penguins. While this story has been around for decades, it still manages to entertain readers of all ages. ⁣
⁣
If you aren’t familiar, Mr. Popper is a housepainter who daydreams about polar expeditions. One day he receives a real penguin and his world turns upside down. Soon after the penguin grows lonely and the Poppers add a second penguin to their home. It isn’t long before they have 10 penguin chicks, making that 12 penguins in all! With so many mouths to feed, Mr. Popper realizes he will have to do something to bring in more money. That’s when Popper’s Performing Penguins gets started. The show goes on tour and plenty of hilarious antics begin!⁣
⁣
I used this book with some of my reading groups in both 2nd and 3rd grade with the help of a few resources to guide students through the text (comprehension questions for each chapter, vocabulary activities, graphic organizers, and more). There’s also a penguin craft, which was a big hit! This resource is available in my TPT store. Drop a 🐧 in the comments or send me a DM if you’d like the link. ⁣
⁣
When it comes to Mr. Popper’s Penguins, which do you prefer?⁣
📖  Book⁣
🎥  Movie⁣
Have you ever felt like you don’t quite fit in? Have you ever felt like you don’t quite fit in? Or maybe you’ve let the opinions of others creep into your mind  and start to doubt yourself? If so, I think you should read Lone Wolf.⁣
⁣
In this story, Maple is a member of the Parker family. She loves playing tug-of-war with Jax, reading with Avery, getting treats, and going for looooooooong walks. But wherever she goes, people comment that she looks more like a wolf than a dog. The Parkers explain the difference between a husky and a wolf, but Maple starts to have her doubts. ⁣
⁣
One day, Maple sees the fence open and takes her chance to explore the wild as a lone wolf. Will Maple love this new lifestyle, or will she realize that home with the Parkers is where she truly belongs? ⁣
⁣
This charming story explores family, self-doubt, and finding the place where you belong. It would be a great story to share in the classroom or at home.⁣
⁣
Have you read Lone Wolf yet?
Whether you’re headed back to the classroom this Whether you’re headed back to the classroom this week or next week, please don’t forget to make time to review your classroom rules and procedures. You can make this process a bit more enjoyable by sharing books. Sometimes these stories have a way of getting through when your words can’t. I put together a list of my favorites on my website. Tap the link in my bio or drop a comment below if you’d like me to send you the link. 

When do students head back to school in your area?

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs