Some classrooms seem to run smooth as silk, with students behaving well and following directions. Other classrooms are chaotic and out of control. The difference between the two classroom environments is the management techniques used by the teacher.
The Positive Teacher and Classroom Control
The teacher is the biggest influence on how well students behave in a classroom. It's not the quality of the students, the involvement of the parents, or the administration that make the most impact. It's the teacher's attitude.
Students tend to live up to the teacher's expectations. Expect great things and they rise to the challenge. Expect poor classroom behavior and again, they will meet that challenge.
Since the teacher is the number one influence on classroom control, it's imperative to leave personal problems at the door. Once in the classroom, having a positive attitude and outlook makes the students feel secure. They relax in that security and are more willing to adhere to the classroom routines. When the teacher is positive, the students are able to be positive and more successful, too.
Firm Classroom Routines and Procedures
Building effective classroom discipline becomes almost a non-issue with firm procedures and routines in place. In a well-run classroom, the routines make it look as if the class runs itself. When students walk in the door, they know exactly what to do. As they work, they know the proper procedures for everything that needs to be done, from sharpening pencils, to passing in papers, to taking a restroom break.
Procedures and routines are two different things. A procedure is how something is done, such as passing in papers. Plan for an orderly procedure that will prevent students from running around the room, or bopping each other on the head with stacks of papers. If there is no procedure in place, these things will happen, guaranteed.
Routines are the order in which things are done. Plan a regular daily schedule beginning with bellwork. Bellwork is a morning procedure students are expected to do the minute they walk into the classroom. This serves two purposes. First, students have no reason to loiter in the back with friends, saunter around the room, or ask, “What should I do?”
Second, it gives the teacher time to deal with the morning influx of papers, notes, and taking attendance. After bellwork, begin the daily routine. A classroom management strategy for elementary school is to post the daily routines on the board. A middle school or high school option is to have each student use a planner.
Having procedures and routines in place for everything reduces the need for classroom interventions for misbehavior.
Give Consequences That Make Sense
Make the punishment fit the crime, as the old saying goes. Positive classroom discipline reflects clear expectations and fairness. Justice and fairness are of major importance to adolescents.
Some examples of punishment fitting the crime:
- If a student sticks chewing gum on a desk or chair, he must don protective gloves and spend a recess period cleaning gum from school surfaces.
- If a student shouts out and interrupts others in class, she loses the privilege of participating for the rest of the period.
Students appreciate consequences that are simple and straightforward because they make sense.
The “Are You All Right?” Technique in Classroom Discipline
Often students misbehave when they have problems to deal with. Keeping this in mind, if a student is disruptive, it can help to take the student aside and privately ask if everything is all right. Let him know his behavior is surprising and out of character and is causing concern. If a teacher lets a student know she cares, it often resolves the behavior issue. If there is a problem, the student now knows there is someone to talk to about it.
Praise Openly, Discipline Privately
Everyone loves to get recognition for things done well. When things go smoothly in the classroom, praise the class. If an individual does something that shows good behavior, praise the student. When the praise is scattered around the room evenly, no one will feel the teacher has a pet.
No one likes to be disciplined in front of others. As much as possible, take the positive discipline conversations to a private level. Be clear about expectations and avoid nagging. Even if a student becomes agitated and yells, (and this does happen,) the teacher must still remain calm. Yelling at the student only escalates the problem. Students appreciate teachers that stay calm and in control.
Effective classroom management begins with a positive teacher, firm procedures and routines, and techniques that show respect to the students. With these in place there will be very few behavior problems.
Suzanne Pitner - Suzanne Pitner is a teacher and published writer. A member of RWA and YARWA, she writes fiction as Suzanne Lilly.
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