Superstar Teaching - The Secret of Effective Classroom Management
Have you ever worked with a teacher who had no discipline problems, had the respect of her students and complete control of her classroom? On top of all this, she made it all look so easy it was almost as if she had super powers.
Well, she didn t have super powers or magic potions but she did know the secret to effective classroom management.
Have a limited number of rules.
When you have a limited number of rules it makes the rules easier to understand, to remember and enforce. You make it possible for everyone to know what you expect of them. Thus making it easier to comply with your wishes. There is no need for a set of rules that resemble the IRS tax code. It is possible to have as few as five classroom guidelines. All you want is a set of rules that will cover your expectations for classroom behavior.
I have been using the following five guidelines for several years with excellent results. These rules cover just about every situation that might arise in the classroom.
Follow instructions. Prepare for class immediately. Don t talk when the speaker is speaking. Keep your person and objects to yourself. Complete your assignments.
Once you have determined your guidelines and the consequences for failure to comply create a handout that you can give to everyone of your students. Then take a class period at the very beginning of the year and read the handout together.
Take your time and make sure everyone understands the meaning of your guidelines. Be sure to use stories and humorous examples to illustrate your guidelines. Your students will remember the guidelines much better if presented in a humorous style.
The time you spend setting up your guidelines in the beginning will be well worth it. It will show your students that you are prepared and mean business. Also, they will know what you expect of them and the consequences for failure to comply with your expectations.
REMEMBER: The fewer rules you have the greater your success in classroom management.
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