New School Year Behavior: 5 Classroom Management Tips

Most teachers are gearing up for a new school year. I go back on Monday and my kids will be there Wednesday...I can't believe I just typed that. Like, that set it in stone. I go back to work on Monday. Anyway, I wanted to share some tried and true classroom management tips as we embark on another school year. Later on I will share more in depth information about my classroom management style and the success I have had with it. One thing I've learned is that if you can manage your classroom, it makes teaching and learning a lot easier...and enjoyable.

You know I love a good disclaimer, so here it goes: All students, classrooms, schools, and teachers are different. Adjust accordingly. My kids are not perfect. Everyday No day goes perfectly. If at first you don't succeed,try it again. If another time you don't succeed, TRY DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENTLY.  So, we're ready now.

1.  Set the tone. For example, if you come into the classroom flustered, then expect for your children to  come in and ruffle every other feather you left unruffled. If you are speaking loudly to your children, then you can expect for them to do the same. The tone is set way before you enter the classroom because it is contingent upon your mood. You either have to learn how to fake it or get yourself together. If you want a peaceful classroom--pray, have some quiet time, prepare your mind for the day, set the tone.

2.  Have an attention signal. This thing will save your life, your voice, your nerves...EVERYTHING. There has to be an attention signal that communicates to students that you want their undivided attention. A lot of Montessori teachers, including myself, use a bell. Whenever students hear the bell, they stop what they are doing, look at me, put their hands on their shoulders, and don't talk. I do not ring it 250 times or dangle it back and forth to get on their nerves. I simply to a little "ding, ding, ding", and that's it. Do they ignore it? Never. Are some of them slow to respond? Sometimes. Do we practice it until we get it right? You bet! 

Funny story: My friend came to visit my classroom one day and she didn't know what the bell was for, so she was playing with it and my students heard it ring. Just a "DING!" All of them immediately did what they were supposed to do and I informed them that it was an accident. Meanwhile, my beloved best friend was amazed at how quickly they responded and decided to do it again. And they responded accordingly, except this time they were grinning because they knew she was playing around. 

3.  Put them to work. This works exceptionally well with students who constantly exhibit misbehavior. Recruit them to do certain things around the classroom. You will either become allies or enemies...choose wisely. It's easy to sit them down at a table and leave them there, but it's not beneficial. Let them "help" you. I had a student who would make it their mission to annoy someone first thing in the morning, so I put him to work. "I need you to help me make sure that everyone puts their folder in the basket when they get here. Gently remind them if you see that they have forgotten". BOOM! His energy is channeled elsewhere and everyone is satisfied. OR I had a student that began every single day with a tantrum. Now of course you need to get to the root of the problem, but once he knew that he would get to spend a little time helping me if he had a good morning...changed our LIVES. Give all of them jobs or rotate the jobs you have. I'm just trying to help you.

4.  Build relationships. I'm thinking about doing a separate post on relationship building because I believe that it is one of the essentials to good classroom management. Your students are not your worst enemies. They are not out to get on every nerve you have all of the time. Love on them a little. Get to know them. Their favorite color, what they like to watch on tv, who their parents are...anything! Be silly with them. They love it. It builds trust. When they're parents come to pick them up early and they beg to stay!? Melts my heart! If they trust you, they listen to you. You'll have to wait for the in depth post to find out what I do specifically. 

5.  Be consistent. It sounds simple, but this is profound. If you say you're going to do something, do it. When there is consistency it creates a sense of security. They know that if Ms. Hector says she is going to call home, it's going to happen. If I say that I'm going to let them sit beside me at lunch and tell me about their weekend, it's going to happen. If your students can't tell you the rules and consequences, you may not be consistent.

Now, please scroll back up to the top and read the disclaimer. God bless!