New Teachers - Classroom Management Q&A

Let me begin by wishing you a Happy 4th of July!!

As my summer is nearing an end,... :(  I am reminded that the new school year is just around the corner.  I have been thinking of ways to help new teachers.  With the help of my Dual Language partner (Leah) (thank you Leah!), I have complied a Q&A list for new teachers.  The first list I will share has to do with classroom management. It is my hope that NEW teachers will find this helpful as they begin to plan for the upcoming school year. 

Classroom Management

·        How do I start the school year?

            Begin the school year by establishing your classroom management and classroom procedures.  Classroom management suggestions (but not limited to these): establishing rules, consequences (ex: changing colors, cards, signing a discipline book or log, etc.)  and positive reinforcements (ex: note home, library pass, extra reading time, ipod or ipad time, pencils, stickers, homework pass, etc.)  Classroom procedures should include (but are not limited to): procedures for lining up, what to do if… your pencil breaks, you don’t have a pencil, where to get paper, how to ask for permission to go to the restroom, where to keep supplies, how to care for classroom materials, who to ask if you need help.

Other procedures:  expectations for walking in the hall, cafeteria rules and expectations, how to pick up your lunch tray, how to dispose of your lunch tray, where to sit, how to line up after recess, homework procedures and expectations, etc.

·        What procedures should I have ready before the first day of school?

            Before the first day of school, you should already know how you will hold students accountable for the classroom behavior and how you will communicate it (positive or negative) to parents.  It’s important to keep parents informed of their child’s behavior.  In addition, you will need to have thought out all of the other procedures listed on the prior question. 

·        What do I do the first day of school? The first week?

            The first day of school will be a day of getting to know your students.  It’s important that you begin to establish a good rapport with your students.  It’s also imperative that you make your expectation for behavior extremely clear.  In addition, any negative behavior should re-directed immediately.  You must maintain consistency with your expectations.  Your classroom management is a key factor in your instructional success.  Remember to show students you care about them, while maintaining your expectations.  On the first day of school, establish the classroom rules along with your students (with your guidance, of course).  They need to be active participants in this process.  This will give them a sense of ownership. 

The first week will be spent reinforcing your rules and procedures.  I suggest keeping a log of anecdotal notes that will help you get to know your students better.  As you become more experienced, your need for this type of log may or may not be necessary.  J You will soon find what works for you and your students.  Remember that teaching is NOT “one size fits all” and you may need to make adjustments from year to year. 

           

·        What does a classroom management plan look like?

            Basically a classroom management plan can take any shape you would like.  There are a plethora of management plans to choose from. Some examples are listed on question 1.  The most important thing to remember with a management plan is that it should be something that isn’t terribly time consuming.  Make sure you will be able to keep up with it.  It’s imperative to communicate with parents.  As a parent, I want to know how my student is doing (good or bad).  You should establish a good rapport with parents and make them an ally in their child’s education.  With that said, there should be some type of management plan in the classroom and some type of communication format (ex: calendar, planner, etc.) (Your team should be able to share the one they are using) for parents.  The communication should occur daily. 

·        How strict should I be?

            This is always a tricky question… so with that said, I give you my opinion.  I feel that the first week of school will “make” or “break” a teacher’s success.  It will not matter how well you can deliver content, if you don’t have classroom management under control.  So in my opinion, the first few weeks teachers should be fairly strict.  Remember… Strict can be accomplished without being Mean.  Your expectations should be explicitly stated and displayed for students.  They need to be active participants in creating the class rules (with your guidance, of course).  Remember that the first week will be spent teaching and reinforcing rules and procedures, so this week will also be an opportunity to re-direct any negative behavior.  It will be important to be firm and consistent.  Students will take advantage of your weakness of you do not follow through.  Your discipline plan will only be as good as your fidelity to it.  J

·        What behaviors deserve consequences?

            As far as consequences, there are the obvious behaviors that would most definitely warrant a FREE pass to the office such as fighting, hitting, biting, stealing (some examples, but not limited to these). But the less serious offenses would just depend on the severity and the frequency of the offense.  On a personal note, I feel that all students should have at least one verbal warning to give them an opportunity to change the behavior.  It’s about choices and having students accept responsibility and holding them accountable for their behavior. 

·        What should my consequences be?

            Consequences should be discussed with your team members.  They may vary from campus to campus. 

·        What incentives can I offer to encourage good behavior?

            Some examples of incentives are listed above.  Your team should be able to give you more ideas. 

·        How do I handle a student that does not respond to consequences or incentives?

            Unfortunately you may have a student that doesn’t respond to the consequences or incentives you’ve established, so it is your mission to find something that motivates that student.  Everyone has something that motivates them.  It may not be the obvious, but there will be something.  Crazy enough these are the students that will challenge you and you will to grow to love more.  These are the students you are sad to see leave at the end of the year and you hope the next teacher cares as much as you do. 

·        What kinds of behaviors deserve a call home?

            Calls home should be positive and negative.  As far as the positive ones, the calls can be made for welcoming the student and family to the classroom, praise for good work or behavior, etc. The negative calls will be more difficult.  Remember that parents need to be your ally, so don’t upset them with a plethora of negative phone calls.  Negative behavior phone calls should be limited to extreme negative behavior (that requires an office visit) or a repeat offense.  If a negative call must be made, it may help to give the parents a positive before the negative.