I am continuously learning more classroom management strategies. Unfortunately, because I have a few students in my practicum class are not responding to classroom management strategies as the majority is, I have to keep digging and finding new ways to try to manage their behavior.
On top the the classroom management strategies that I am already using (praise, circulating the room/ proximity, touch, the look, counting down, clapping) I am picking up more. The most recent ones that I have picked up are providing the student choices. Some examples include ” You can work quietly at your desk, or move the back table alone”, ” You can place the object on your desk, or put it on mine”, “You can work in your group responsively, or work alone”. Responses should always be followed by a thank-you to keep things positive. Additionally, the choice is not an ultimatum or punishment. Example, not “Do it or I’ll…”. I think choices are a great management strategy because they put the responsibility in the students hands.
Another useful strategy is setting up rules for expectations as much as possible. Before starting lessons where the students have a lot of independence, it is important to set rules so the students know exactly what they should/ should not be doing. Good times to set rules are doing group work, computer work, watching presentations or when using manipulatives. Each rule should have a rationale, roles and responsibilities of students should be stated, and rules should be stated in a positive way (E.g. Treat others with respect versus don’t put people down).