Classroom Management
Attention Getters:
*Teacher: Eyes up, (students repeat), pencils down, (students repeat), hands on head, (kids repeat).
*Teacher: Chicka, chicka. Students: Boom, boom.
*Copy cat claps.
*Teacher: Clap once if you can hear me. Clap twice if you can hear me. Clap... (continue until all students have joined in.
*Flicker lights.
*Music.
*Teacher: Mac and cheese, ready to freeze.
Making Groups:
*Distribute animal picture cards, regular playing cards, etc., and have each student of same suite find each other to make up a group.
*Distribute pieces of VERY simple puzzles (4-6 pcs) and have each student find students with the puzzle pieces to complete their puzzle.
Creative Discussion Groups:
*Fishbowl:
*Wheelworks: make two circles of equal amounts of students, one inside of the other. Have each student discuss topic at hand, what was learned in class, etc., with the person in front of them. Move to next person/ 3rd person/ etc., and discuss again. And so on.
*Think, pair, share.
Other Ideas:
*Start-up strategy: have the students listen to all you have to say by training them to always wait for the word of the week before proceeding into something. For example, explain an assignment but have them begin only upon hearing “sunshine”.
*Be proactive, rather than having to be reactive! Teach basic procedures and routines for EVERYTHING from day one. Practice them excessively until the students do them habitually. Make sure that the students know what is expected of them wherever possible: Have set routines for the morning, before and after classes, after finishing work, lunch, recesses, bathroom breaks, handing in work, walking in hallways, borrowing materials, etc. It may seem a little over the top at first, but being consistent will ensure that your year runs smoothly.
*Control classroom noise levels by writing “NOISE” on the board. Take away letters whenever noise level exceeds desired volume, until only “NO” remains. Thereafter no talking is permitted for a time.
*Circulate the classroom constantly. This helps keep behaviour in check, plus you can do formative assessments, help struggling students (reteaching if necessary), and mark randomly as you circulate to reassure students of their success and cut down on your own workload later.
*Teach students how to react to outbursts of anger, bullying, annoying actions, etc., of peers.
*Use a point/ reward system: stars, tickets, play money, etc.
*Praise proper behaviour. It works to encourage students who are inattentive or not following proper class procedures to follow suite of those being praised.
*Engage the students with intriguing and fun, yet meaningful learning activities.
*Take breaks when needed! Sometimes students just need a quick water or body break when they are starting to become restless or disengaged.
*Supply students with strategies to replace negative habits and behaviours.
*Know your students and what’s going on at home, if possible. Issues at school may be arising as direct results of stressors at home.
*Teacher: Eyes up, (students repeat), pencils down, (students repeat), hands on head, (kids repeat).
*Teacher: Chicka, chicka. Students: Boom, boom.
*Copy cat claps.
*Teacher: Clap once if you can hear me. Clap twice if you can hear me. Clap... (continue until all students have joined in.
*Flicker lights.
*Music.
*Teacher: Mac and cheese, ready to freeze.
Making Groups:
*Distribute animal picture cards, regular playing cards, etc., and have each student of same suite find each other to make up a group.
*Distribute pieces of VERY simple puzzles (4-6 pcs) and have each student find students with the puzzle pieces to complete their puzzle.
Creative Discussion Groups:
*Fishbowl:
*Wheelworks: make two circles of equal amounts of students, one inside of the other. Have each student discuss topic at hand, what was learned in class, etc., with the person in front of them. Move to next person/ 3rd person/ etc., and discuss again. And so on.
*Think, pair, share.
Other Ideas:
*Start-up strategy: have the students listen to all you have to say by training them to always wait for the word of the week before proceeding into something. For example, explain an assignment but have them begin only upon hearing “sunshine”.
*Be proactive, rather than having to be reactive! Teach basic procedures and routines for EVERYTHING from day one. Practice them excessively until the students do them habitually. Make sure that the students know what is expected of them wherever possible: Have set routines for the morning, before and after classes, after finishing work, lunch, recesses, bathroom breaks, handing in work, walking in hallways, borrowing materials, etc. It may seem a little over the top at first, but being consistent will ensure that your year runs smoothly.
*Control classroom noise levels by writing “NOISE” on the board. Take away letters whenever noise level exceeds desired volume, until only “NO” remains. Thereafter no talking is permitted for a time.
*Circulate the classroom constantly. This helps keep behaviour in check, plus you can do formative assessments, help struggling students (reteaching if necessary), and mark randomly as you circulate to reassure students of their success and cut down on your own workload later.
*Teach students how to react to outbursts of anger, bullying, annoying actions, etc., of peers.
*Use a point/ reward system: stars, tickets, play money, etc.
*Praise proper behaviour. It works to encourage students who are inattentive or not following proper class procedures to follow suite of those being praised.
*Engage the students with intriguing and fun, yet meaningful learning activities.
*Take breaks when needed! Sometimes students just need a quick water or body break when they are starting to become restless or disengaged.
*Supply students with strategies to replace negative habits and behaviours.
*Know your students and what’s going on at home, if possible. Issues at school may be arising as direct results of stressors at home.