Ten Keys to Classroom Management Success
I didn't hear this in my credential program. I share these ideas not to toot any horns, but to try myself to better explore and re-affirm what I, and many other teachers I know, do in classrooms that allows my students to learn in a way that they seem to love. Administrators love these strategies because they boost their high stakes test scores. Parents love them because their children, no matter how well or poorly they have done in the past, meet success and feel empowered.
I didn't hear this in my credential program. I share these ideas not to toot any horns, but to try myself to better explore and re-affirm what I, and many other teachers I know, do in classrooms that allows my students to learn in a way that they seem to love. Administrators love these strategies because they boost their high stakes test scores. Parents love them because their children, no matter how well or poorly they have done in the past, meet success and feel empowered.
1. Make sure the room is temperate, clean, and aesthetically pleasing. Most of us are most comfortable in spaces that stimulate our senses positively. If it's cold, turn on a soft heater. If it's hot, run the air conditioner. If it's dismal outside, bring holiday lights and soft aromas to please your students' eyes and noses. Bring new vibrant colors and culturally responsive artifacts. If you keep your students comfortable, and at least act like their comfort matters (even if it doesn't to you yet), they will appreciate it. Play soothing music softly during work periods. I create playlists of everything from 70s rock classics, to Sade, and John Coltrane to Bob Marley and Celia Cruz. I have yet to meet a person who didn't like music or worked well when uncomfortable.
2. (Urgent) Work with a therapist on whatever you have left undone--particularly if it makes you feel angry, resentful, ashamed, or inflexible. We bring ourselves into all human interactions; that includes our teaching. Most students have their twenties and thirties to actualize, then realize their own dysfunction; they have no compassion for ours.
3. Continue to master your subject area. Mastery of the subject will create space for more complex levels of application for that subject and the art of teaching. Mastery also imbues the teacher with authority among his/her students.
4. Be human. Admit when you are wrong and say the things to your students that you wanted a teacher to say to you when you were young. Give appropriate complements. Tell students when they do well; don't keep it a secret. Let them know you appreciate them. Be honest, however, and don't over-do-it. Kids can sense a lie.
4. Be human. Admit when you are wrong and say the things to your students that you wanted a teacher to say to you when you were young. Give appropriate complements. Tell students when they do well; don't keep it a secret. Let them know you appreciate them. Be honest, however, and don't over-do-it. Kids can sense a lie.
5. Ask students what they think about things. Ask them what they feel. Everyone responds to interest. Talk to them; then listen to them. Set up spaces and time for them to talk to each other.
6. Use a variety of entry and application points for your lessons. Use overheads, blogs, podcasts, video, film, music, newspaper, magazines, books, social media, food, the natural world, etc. Be creative in other words.
7. Be responsible for yourself; do not ask students to do anything you do not demonstrate.
8. Keep your expectations high, and when not met, ask students how you can help them to better understand.
9. When you have a bad day, apologize if you need to, and start fresh tomorrow.
10. Prepare, prepare, prepare, but be FLEXIBLE!
6. Use a variety of entry and application points for your lessons. Use overheads, blogs, podcasts, video, film, music, newspaper, magazines, books, social media, food, the natural world, etc. Be creative in other words.
7. Be responsible for yourself; do not ask students to do anything you do not demonstrate.
8. Keep your expectations high, and when not met, ask students how you can help them to better understand.
9. When you have a bad day, apologize if you need to, and start fresh tomorrow.
10. Prepare, prepare, prepare, but be FLEXIBLE!
