Tip #1: Establish classroom rules immediately and enforce them consistently.
Establish rules on the first day of class, and always follow through on the specified rewards for achievement and consequences for misbehavior. This is particularly important at the beginning of the year, when you’re building your students’ trust in you as their teacher.
Tip #2: Set logical rules and consequences.
Keep the goal of learning in mind and make sure students know why the rules are what they are: “We walk instead of running in the hallway because we want to make sure that everyone is safe.” And fit the consequence to the crime.
Tip #3: Use positive instead of negative language.
For example:
“Be prepared” instead of “Don’t forget your pencil.” Use the word “consequences” instead of the extremely negative “punishments.”
Tip #4: Make your students feel responsible for their own learning environment.
Give your students agency over their learning environment, which gets them feeling responsible for their own learning. Create rules together as a class, encourage those with leadership personalities to direct the in-class discussion, and walk around instead of standing up front for the entire lesson so that you aren’t the funnel for conversation.
Tip #5: Praise efforts and achievements for their own sake, not for the sake of teacher approval.
Give constant feedback about good behaviors: “I notice that Danielle has her book out and is ready to go. Now her whole row is ready!” But keep the emphasis on the behavior, not on the teacher’s approval.
Tip #6: Be aware of different learning paces and keep the students occupied.
Not all students learn at the same pace. Stick with those who don’t understand the topic and check in with them regularly to help them keep up to speed and don’t get frustrated and act out in response. Also, bored students cause problems. Make sure that you are challenging the students who move more quickly through the material by over-planning and preparing extra, quiet activities.
Tip #7: Avoid confrontations in front of students.
Never make an example of a student by shaming them in front of his or her peers. If you’re dealing with a misbehavior, speak to the student in the hallway or after class to resolve the issue instead of allowing an in-class confrontation.
Tip #8: Connect with the parents.
Make contact with parents early and often. Encourage attendance at parent-teacher conferences, if your school uses them, and demonstrate that you want to work with the parents to instruct their children to the best of your ability.
Tip #9: Interactively model behaviors.
The first time you do something, model how to do it. Then ask them to share what they noticed about what you did. Then ask a student to do it, and discuss that action with the class. Next, have the whole class practice.
Tip #10: Get the attention of every student before beginning class.
Redirect the beginning-of-class chatter by throwing out an engaging question, comment, or observation: “It’s been snowing for three days straight! Has anyone been playing in the snow?” Once you have everyone’s attention, proceed with the day’s lesson plan.
Tip #11: Use proximity and directness to your advantage.
If a student is misbehaving in class, continue your lesson but walk over and stand next to them. Having a teacher so close usually shuts down a student’s misbehavior. You can also use a direct question to snap them back into the lesson: “Kevin, what is 12x8 ?” Start the call-out with their name so that you have their attention.
Tip #12: Be organized.
Structure, both within a lesson and throughout the academic term, will help your students stay on top of their work. Write the day’s activities on the board before class. During class, be prepared for each activity; extra time wastes both your and your students’ time and introduces bordom into the classroom.
Very insightful information!
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