Keys to Good Classroom Management

What’s in it for me as a teacher? The suggestions are proven methods for creating a safe and effective learning environment. Implementing these tips can increase positive on-task behaviors by the students leading to greater learning gains for all of your students. Sweat the small stuff and you and your students will benefit.

• Avoid unnecessary congestion in group work areas, classroom entrance and exit, pencil sharpener, trash can, lavatory, sink and water fountain, bookshelves, storage and supply stations, special displays, teacher’s desk, and computer stations.
• Always have a clear view of students.
• Verify that all students can see instructional displays.
• Place learning areas so students can move from one to another with little or no disruption.
• Place storage space and necessary materials so they are easily accessible.

Tips for Arranging Furniture:

• Make sure all students can see you, the chalkboard(s) and other instructional displays.
• Consider potential distractions: windows, doors, etc.
• Leave walking space around students' desks.
• Position yourself so you can see all students at all times.
• Avoid placing learning centers and work areas in "blind corners."
• Seat students who need extra help near you.
• Arrange students' desks in rows facing instructional areas until you've learned their names, work habits and personal traits.

Tips for Storage Place:

• Place instructional materials where they are easily accessible to instructional areas.
• If you must use tables or desks with inadequate storage, consider storing student materials in "tote trays" where they will be easily accessible but out of the way.
• Provide adequate, conveniently located space for students’ belongings.
• Provide easily accessible bookcase shelves for everyday books and materials not kept in students' desks.
• Keep long-term, seldom used or special-occasion items in a location outside of the classroom.

Other Things to Consider:

• Choose a particular spot, easily seen by all students, for posting daily assignments (weekly, if possible).
• Display rules, procedures, assigned duties, a calendar, schedule, student-work and extra-credit activities on walls and bulletin boards.
• Check all electrical equipment to be sure it works and practice with the equipment before using it in class.
• Have a sturdy extension cord available if an electrical outlet is not within easy reach.

Classroom Procedures:

• Procedures tell students how to perform routine instructional and housekeeping tasks.
• Routines and procedures allow classrooms to function smoothly.
• Self-management procedures build student autonomy and reduce the need for your constant attention.
• Clear procedures manage smooth transitions and minimize downtime.

First Day Procedures:

1. Students find their seat (Use 3x5 card to place number on each desk, greet students at the door and direct them to look at the class list posted in the front of the room, check the number by their name, and then find their seat).
2. Students store their belongings in designated area.
3. Students complete the activity following the directions on the front chalkboard.

Systematically Teach Procedures:

• Present procedures in a clear and orderly manner as the need arises.
• Model expected behavior for your students.
• Provide students with opportunities to practice.
• Review and re-teach procedures as necessary.
• Reinforce the procedure and provide feedback.
• Apply positive and negative consequences consistently.
• After three weeks, only reminders should be needed.
• Teach procedures as part of the instructional activity.
• Examples: Demonstrate how to head their papers the first time a paper is assigned, explain clearly how to write down an assignments, note where and when assignments are posted.
• Review procedures over several weeks until they become routines.

Source: http://www.aft.org/teachers/jft/management.htm