Classroom Management Strategies

The Well-Managed Classroom

• Harry K. Wong has over 35 years of experience in teaching and has lectured to educators worldwide.
• Wong has won over 200 awards for academic excellence with his students
• The First Days of School is a best-selling book for teachers authored by Wong and his wife, Rosemary
• Wong has won awards such as the Outstanding Secondary School Teacher Award.

Effective Teacher Characteristics:

• Effective teachers have positive expectations for student success.
• They can efficiently manage classrooms.
• They have lesson design knowledge that leads to students' mastery.
• They continuously learn and grow in the teaching profession.

What Is Classroom Management?

• Classroom management involves organizing students, space, time, and materials to facilitate learning.
• It includes promoting student involvement, cooperation, and creating a productive environment.

Characteristics of a Well-Managed Classroom

• Students are deeply involved in their work, especially academic, teacher-led instruction.
• Students know what’s expected and are generally successful.
• Little time is wasted, and there's minimal confusion or disruption.
• The classroom climate is work-oriented, relaxed, and pleasant.

Beginning the Year as an Effective Teacher

• Establishing a well-managed classroom early helps teachers avoid discouragement; 40% leave the profession due to this.
• The number one problem in classrooms is the lack of procedures and routines.
• Classroom management is not about discipline; it's about managing the environment
• Behavior rarely becomes an issue when effective teaching is present.
• Teachers should begin teaching procedures and routines on the first day.
• Classroom management, especially on the first day, is key to becoming an effective teacher.

Classroom Management on the First Day of School:

• Ensure the classroom is ready to maximize student learning and minimize misbehavior.
• The teacher should welcome students and ensure they know where to go and how to get there on time.
• This first day sets the tone for respect and success throughout the year.
• Teachers should arrange seating to maximize task accomplishment and minimize behavior problems by assigning seats on day one.

Example Class Introduction

• Teachers should start the year by setting the right tone to gain respect in class.
• Introducing yourself in a simple, positive way will help students feel comfortable while communicating positive expectations.
• Teachers can create these comfortable setting by:
  • Stand at the door with a smile.
  • Announce your name and expectations.

Continuing the Year as an Effective Teacher

• Procedures and routines facilitate classroom management.
• A procedure is a method for doing things in the classroom, not a discipline plan.
• A series of procedures and routines create structure.
• Fewer classroom interruptions occur when students know how the classroom operates
• This improves learning.

Classroom Management All Year Long:

• Classroom management consists of organizing a classroom for task-oriented learning.
• Start class with an assignment, not by taking attendance.
• Assignments should be posted in the same place daily.
• Grade records should reflect the results and progress of each student.
• A smooth-running class depends on the ability to teach procedures.
• Rules must be clearly explained with reasonable justifications, posted in the classroom, and given to students in written form or copied into notebooks.
• Rules should have consequences for breaking them and rewards for following them
• When a rule violation is seen, immediately and quietly administer the penalty while continuing with the lesson.

Classroom Procedures:

• Procedures include:
• Managing dismissal at the end of the day.
• Handling student absences.
• Quieting a class.
• Beginning the day or period.
• Students seeking help.
• Student movement of papers.

Procedure for the Beginning of the Period or Day:

• Effective teachers post the procedure/schedule for students upon arrival.
• Effective classroom managers have assignments posted before students enter and in the same consistent location every day.
• The consistency trains students to begin working immediately when they arrive in the classroom.
• An example is provided from Lisa McKuin, a science teacher who provides assignments as students enter.

Procedure for When Students are Absent:

• Having a procedure for make-up work allows teachers to manage effectively, and ensures the student takes responsibility.
• An example is provided from Julie Guillory, who uses a bulletin board with daily worksheets and make-up work available in envelopes.
• Students know where to find their work and what to do if they have been absent.

The Student Who Is Absent:

• A procedure for roll-taking and absent students is outlined.
• Selected students take roll on a rotating basis as students complete their opening assignment.
• Absent students' work is compiled with a “Make-up work” form, then an envelope marked with the appropriate period.
• Returning absent students obtain their work from the envelope.
• Students are instructed to ask questions about the assignment of three other students prior to approaching the teacher.

Teaching Classroom Procedures:

• Most behavior problems occur when teachers fail to teach students how to follow procedures.
• Teachers must learn how to convey procedures as effectively as students must learn to follow them.

The Three-Step Approach to Teaching Classroom Procedures:

• Explain: State, explain, model, and demonstrate the procedure.
• Rehearse: Practice the procedure under supervision.
• Reinforce: Reteach, rehearse, practice, and reinforce until the procedure becomes a routine.

Examples of Procedure Effectiveness

• Effective teachers prepare procedures for activities and revise them for efficiency, for example from the first day of school.
• Teachers will need to spend time introducing, teaching, modeling, and rehearsing procedures in the first weeks of school.
• Behaviors need to be taught, modeled, practiced, monitored, and retaught.
• Positive reinforcement should be given when procedures are followed correctly and praise should always be given.

Example of Teaching a Procedure:

• Quieting a Class includes:

Step #1, Explain:

• Explain the procedure of raising your hand or ringing a bell to gain attention.
• Follow Up Steps: - 1. Freeze - 2. Look and pay attention - 3. Be ready for instruction.

Step #2, Rehearse

• Practice until properly executed with students at different places in the room.

Step #3, Reinforce

• Repeat the procedure with the same wording.

Beginning Each and Every Day the Right Way

• It is easier to start the class period and the year with a quiet class than it is to regain control if you've lost it.
• Classes where students are occupied do not have to worry about discipline problems.
• Positivity at the beginning of the school year gives the students a great opportunity to learn.