Supervising children is no easy job. Especially when that’s not all you should be doing. A teacher’s role in the classroom ranges from mediator, counsellor, tutor to being a superhero with laser sharp eyes at the back of your head! With so many students, personalities, preferences and distractions in one room, how exactly can teachers manage their classrooms? The truth is, regardless of age, gender or even subject – classrooms can be a happy, controlled, safe space – conducive to teaching, learning and growing -for both teachers and students alike. So then, what are some helpful classroom management tips for teachers in Jamaica and the world over?
Let’s get straight to it!
Classroom Management Tip #1: First, Manage Yourself
You’d be surprised how many teachers approach their rooms, doing the complete opposite of what they instruct their students to do. Don’t sit on the table they say – as they shuffle atop one to find a good sitting position. Be respectful, they advise, only to be rude or insensitive toward students directly or indirectly. After all, they tell themselves and the students that they are the adults in the room, they are the teacher. They insert the authority card, without first managing themselves.
That is a sure fire way to harbour contempt in classrooms and loose the respect of your students, and that is not the aim. The opposite is attainable. Show through your actions and speech, that you respect yourself and your students. Sure, you are the teacher and you may take your cell phone to class. Note though, that it is okay to apologize if your phone rings during a lesson (let your students know you will aim to turn it down next time, or even advise them beforehand, that you are expecting an important call and wish to excuse the anticipated ringing).
You’ll be surprised at how your students interpret such an apology/explanation. Right then and there, you set the bar. You set the accepted standards and they are taking notes. Again, sure… you are the teacher and ‘need not explain yourself’, however, if you wish to have your classrooms under control without the rigid power struggle, jeering, touting, unsettled, disruptive conduct – a step in the right direction is to manage yourself before attempting to manage the students
The saying goes: practice what you preach.
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When you first manage yourself, the respect your students develop for you – the respect you earn, will supersede the classroom. And no matter what other room you venture into, once they recognize that you are there, the respect transcends.
Classroom Management Tip #2: What’s Good for the Goose is Good for the Gander
This idiomatic expression really means that one person should be treated in the same way as the other. This is especially necessary where discipline is concerned, as students are always keen on discrepancies in comparative situations. Generally speaking, aim to strike a balance in your classrooms even if you have favourites.
Therefore, this shouldn’t be so glaringly obvious. An example – students who ace your assessments shouldn’t be let off when being disruptive or insensitive (even in their gloat about a score) – while those who have fallen behind are chastised and singled out for also being disruptive or insensitive. Discipline both sets, right there and then.
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This relays the message to both sets of students and those looking on – that their teacher has a sense of fairness about him/her. Students feel safe in the midst of a fair teacher. And the safer they feel, the more receptive they are to your instructions and learning.
Avoid embarrassing your students. If they get a bad score, encourage them to reflect and do better. If they scored well, let them know you are proud of their efforts and encourage them to continue doing well.
Monitor their playful banter towards each other, as those who score well may sometimes be brought to shame for it (think of expressions like nerd, show-off etc.) while, those who score poorly may also be brought to shame(think of expressions like dunce, fool etc.) The rule of thumb, is to treat your students as equally as possible, care not which divide they fall into. Express to them, that they are expected to respect each other and insensitivity will not be tolerated by any.
Classroom Management Tip #3: Put Some Life in The Mundane
“Oh well. Here we go again. Same old. Same old.“
Don’t get stuck in this trap!
Add some activities to your lesson plans and your general interactions with your students! Activities that nobody wants to fall asleep in the midst of, because they can’t afford to miss! Activities that requires all hands on deck!
Take for example, the mundane yet essentially necessary task of roll call (taking the register). Students seem to see this activity as a time to talk, play, you name it. Everything except listen for their names. Before you know it, the class gets noisy, you are repeating yourself, helpful students are shouting out names to those talking… you don’t want that. You want to have your classroom under control for as long as it is in your control.
You want your classroom under control for as long as it is in your control.
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Recommendation? Play a little ‘game’. They love that word!
I’ve asked students to say a word that rhymes with their name upon hearing it. Of course, like with all games, you must establish some rules. You must say present first to acknowledge that you are here. Rhyming words must be appropriate. Those who talk out of turn will be asked to stand.
You get it.
Now, everyone is looking forward to hearing and answering to their names!
For this to go well, you must execute the rules. There will be sad faces as some are asked to stand, as some miss their turn to rhyme etc. Not to worry, as you are teaching the benefits of following instructions and also the drawbacks of consequences. From this little activity, you’d be surprised how smoothly your lesson goes, as they transfer that energy and appreciation for instructions in their lesson.
Classroom Management Tip #4: Less Talking, More Doing!
Its a game changer! The moment teachers realize that they don’t have to talk, much less shout all the time – is the moment of true bliss in the classrooms. But, first – what replaces the talking?
Great question. Try appropriate body languages like eye contact (who doesn’t know the ‘sit still’ eye and the ‘I said NO’ eye ?). certainly the students do, ask their parents!
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In addition to this, you can try my all time favourite activity to get students settle. This involves less talking than the usual spewing of instructions left, right and center (which leaves you feeling burnt out). “If you hear my voice clap once.” (Students clap) “If you hear my voice clap twice.” (Students clap). You can change it up with claps and snaps and even create a rhythm to it. Believe me, they love many other things that the sound of your voice all the time! At first, you will notice that not all students are hearing/participating. Don’t shout out to them. That’s not the aim. Continue in your most regular tone. Before you know it, even your whisper is audible at the back of the room!
I make this point to convey the message that, you need not work up yourself to a boil in your classroom, trying to manage the room.
Classroom Management Tip #5: Create a ‘Family’ and Assign Responsibilities
Students love feeling valued in their space! Check in with them on the performance of their elected/assigned monitors (class monitors, homework monitors, environment monitors etc). Give them tips also, so they have something to work with. And best of all, empower the non-badged leaders!
Wondering why I said best of all? Focusing only on the leaders wearing badges defeats the purpose of classroom management, because often times than not – these students are already ‘converted’. They often times follow the rules and enforce them. It’s the ‘unconverted’ so to speak that you want under control.
Give the latter set of students important tasks, like reminding you of an important research that will advance the next lesson; or keeping check of the time so you don’t ‘go over’ your session; even ‘helping’ you to rase one section of the board so that you can write something important. Avoid anything that seems like punishment – at least, until you have an understanding and bond. This way, they feel more valued, they realize you believe in them and their abilities, and most of all, they feel included. Oftentimes, students project defiance and may be deliberately troublesome if they realize you expect that of them and even categorize them in this way. The self-fulfilling prophecy, it is called, stemming from negative labels placed on them.
Instead of generalizing the conduct expected from your class, direct this expectation subtly. Let it be felt mostly, instead of heard. It won’t be too long before your students start aiming not to disappoint themselves!
Classroom Management Tip #6: Acknowledge the WHOLE Child
I did a poll sometime ago in a few of my classes. The instruction I gave was this: raise of hands, those of you who believe that teachers just care about the subject they teach you? Almost all hands went up!
I recall having a ‘check-in’ session with a 4th and 5th form class. In this session, I checked in on those who played sports at the school, community and even national levels. How’s balancing going? Getting enough sleep? Got the notes you missed last Wednesday?
I’ve checked in with those who feel they are not pulling so well in a subject area different from the one I teach. Have you spoken with your teacher? What about YouTube videos? Do you attend extra classes? Is there a pal you could ask for help?
I’ve even checked in on how they spent their weekend. Raise of hands those of you who had ice-cream! What about Pizza? Okay, bread! Raise of hands those of you who watched a movie. Anybody slept eight hours last night! What about 4? 3? 2? 1? They laugh and respond, having such a good time, feeling heard and seen as the ‘WHOLE’ student.
Then I may get a little over myself and ask – raise of hands those of you who did the homework? (At this point I’m laughing inside). They’re now confused. They start chatting among themselves asking what homework. Some are nervous, they just admitted to sleeping just two hours last night, watching movies – and now, no homework!
Of course, it’s a joke and they all breathe that sigh of relieve. Their teacher has spunk. They like spunk.
Tap into the WHOLE student as much as possible! It works. Be genuine about it and offer help, advise and even referrals where needed.
Before you know it, each student with their multi-faceted self, feel like their whole self is represented in your class. You demonstrated understanding and care. This is especially helpful with the more mature students. Class will never be the same again. In a positive way of course!
There you have it, classroom management tips that will revolutionize your classrooms! Comment any tried and true tips of your own!
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