Classroom management always seems to be the first step towards creating a positive learning environment. A simple starting point is to learn everyones name as soon as possible. With BCeSIS, it is possible to put a face with the name even before you begin the class!
Looking back at week one, the checklist was helpful but now we’d like to hear from those with some experience to elaborate on what they think are hints for successful management strategies…
I am a firm believer that if you create an exciting and enticing classroom environment then many of the management problems that might occur probably won’t! If the students are engaged then they don’t have time to be getting into trouble. Capturing their attention and getting them enthused about what you’re learning keeps them in a positive environment that favors everyone. If the idle hands don’t exist, the problems are minimized!
Be consistent! Equally important to having clear classroom rules and expectations is following through with the consequences. Students appreciate consistency, and must perceive that they are being treated fairly for them to feel valued.
Don’t fall into the trap of starting off too “soft” and then changing to a stricter policy later on – it won’t work! Plan to implement your classroom rules right from the start, even it is means being quite “firm” at the beginning of the practicum. Trust me, it is way easier to loosen up midway through the practicum than it is to tighten up!
I totally agree with getting to know students names. When you address students by their names it makes them feel a part of the classroom and sets a community feel.
When you lay out your expectations in your course outline, don’t put any rules in unless you are prepared to follow through with consequences if they are broken. Don’t fall into the “next time I will…” It diminishes your authority and the rules become insignificant.
I agree with what John has to say about being “firm” or setting the tone from day one. It is definitely much easier to be firm and then loosen up. Our second semester is off to a great start at SLSS and in our Business Ed classes we are working on creating an inclusive environment where students are free to share their knowledge and ideas, and at the same time working to establish the rules and boundaries. One thing that we have been working on in our computer lab is to address any issues that may arise right away, to set the tone for the semester!
Some good comments so far. Just to add… I work to incorporate all those things people have mentioned above interwoven with the concept of mutual respect. When I talk about expectations in class I make sure I spend a good amount of time on respect. As the class progresses it is important to ensure what you talked about is being practiced (between students, teachers & students, students & teacher, students and self, etc).
In combination with respect, I have found that building and maintaining good relationships with students is a definite bonus in regard to classroom management. Being involved with activities outside of the classroom allows students to interact with you in a different way and see you wearing a different “hat” within the school community. It also provides an opportunity for you and your student to strengthen a relationship. This can be done in class as well, as taking the time to get to know your students shows them that you care and respect them as individuals.
Well said Verv! Often we find those challenging classes to be the ones filled with students we have never had the chance to build a bond with during other classes or extracurriculars. It is especially important to build a bond of mutual respect with those students as soon as possible.
In order to successfully manage the classroom you really need to lay out ground rules and abide by those rules. I was a bit flimsy and allowed students to get away with going around the rules I set and are even guilty myself of not following the guidelines that I set for my students. As a student teacher I found that you get caught up with trying to keep everything moving along smoothly and sometimes you might cut corners and not set the greatest of examples for students to follow. I was too easy going and fell for students batting their eyes and perhaps allowed them to get away with unacceptable classroom behavior and then got used to it myself.
What I learned: Make your rules/guides/code and STICK TO IT! If you don’t stamp down insubordination at the first moment then you cant really expect students to stick to it down the road. That being said sometimes rules are meant to be broken so don’t go overload the students with rules and procedures but set a standard and expect them to follow by enforcing it yourself.