Classroom management is the foundation of an efficient and positive classroom environment. Without it, precious instrumental time is lost and in an already packed schedule this loss of time is tantamount to cutting out school days from the calendar. In order to have good classroom management one must first create an environment of respect and trust within the classroom, on both the students' and teacher's parts. Without this respect students are apt to misbehave and teachers to exacerbate the behaviors unwittingly.
The key to my own classroom management lies is being upfront with all behavior and academic expectations. Front-loading this information at the beginning of the year lays the foundation for how I run my classroom and makes for an honest and open environment. Students should not have to guess your expectations. The implementation of this knowledge usually comes in the form of modeling the desired behavior and then following through with established and logical consequences for undesirable actions. This is one of the toughest parts for teachers, making sure consequences are laid out beforehand and then following through with the consequence. Too often teachers hesitate in this step but it is vital, especially in establishing the environment at the beginning of the year. To fail in this is to create the notion of indiscriminate punishment and an unfair teacher, not conducive to an environment of respect and honesty and made worse by the fact that it could have been prevented. Also, never underestimate the power of a relationship/connection with your students. Know your students by name AND face, this proves to them that not only do you care about them academically but that you care about them as individuals. This goes a long way in preventing undesired behavior.
Also, being spatial aware around them is key. Understand that you already hold a position of authority over them but this can be exacerbated by leaning over students or talking to them from a disproportionate height. Get on their level to talk with them, especially at their desks and instead of a discussion tinged by passive displays of authority you have created an environment of mutual respect between equals. My classroom management style hinges on my and my students' commitment to a community that demands mutual respect and honesty in the classroom.
The key to my own classroom management lies is being upfront with all behavior and academic expectations. Front-loading this information at the beginning of the year lays the foundation for how I run my classroom and makes for an honest and open environment. Students should not have to guess your expectations. The implementation of this knowledge usually comes in the form of modeling the desired behavior and then following through with established and logical consequences for undesirable actions. This is one of the toughest parts for teachers, making sure consequences are laid out beforehand and then following through with the consequence. Too often teachers hesitate in this step but it is vital, especially in establishing the environment at the beginning of the year. To fail in this is to create the notion of indiscriminate punishment and an unfair teacher, not conducive to an environment of respect and honesty and made worse by the fact that it could have been prevented. Also, never underestimate the power of a relationship/connection with your students. Know your students by name AND face, this proves to them that not only do you care about them academically but that you care about them as individuals. This goes a long way in preventing undesired behavior.
Also, being spatial aware around them is key. Understand that you already hold a position of authority over them but this can be exacerbated by leaning over students or talking to them from a disproportionate height. Get on their level to talk with them, especially at their desks and instead of a discussion tinged by passive displays of authority you have created an environment of mutual respect between equals. My classroom management style hinges on my and my students' commitment to a community that demands mutual respect and honesty in the classroom.