Class Management
Class management can be a challenge for both the new teachers and experienced ones. Because everybody makes mistakes – even experienced teachers – you mustn’t take it too personally. In the following article, the most common classroom management tips are provided.
Everybody Makes Mistakes
Here is the list of class management tips that can be helpful in your everyday teaching experience:
Involve the learners in establishing classroom rules
It is important that you involve the learners in establishing classroom rules. Encourage all students without exception to assist you setting up a list of classroom rules will make them aware of the importance of discipline and will involve them in the learning process and decision-making.
Entry Routine
It is important to set up a regular daily routine that starts once the learners get into the classroom. This includes the type of seating arrangement, handing in homework, preparing copybooks, etc. It is preferable to check attendance when the learners are busy doing a task rather than at the beginning of the session. This will save time and create a stress-free atmosphere.
Grab their attention
Start with a short appealing activity that keeps them focused and willing to participate. A warm-up activity may be in the form of a short quiz, a riddle, a tongue twister, a command drill (e.g. stand up, sit down, show me your blue pen, etc.), a chanting, deep breathing, etc. This technique is meant to get students settled in the mood of learning, attentive, and prepared for instruction without delay.
Transition routines
Establish transition routines. Once an activity is done, the learners should know what will they will have to do next. Phrases like ‘writing time’, ‘grammar time’, and ‘reading time’ can be triggers for what will occur next.
Praise
This involves recognizing and praising the students who have done something good. Positive reinforcement makes sure that the desirable behavior gets reinforced and the undesirable one gets suppressed.
Address negative behavior
Address the undesirable behavior as soon as possible. Hesitation can be detrimental if it is established that a student misbehaved. Bad behavior must be dealt with immediately. Any needlessly difficult conversations are useless. Act according to the rules. Otherwise, negative behavior will prevail.
Nonverbal communication
This includes eye contact or making gestures that let students know they are misbehaving or are off-task
Encourage initiative
Adopting good learners’ initiatives can yield positive learning results. When learners choose what to learn (i.e. the content), how to learn (i.e. the method), and when to learn (i.e. the timing), this can result in more involvement in the learning process.
Group work
Involve them in group work activities that will boost interaction, lower the affective filter, and enhance peer teaching.
Here are some links to a worthwhile article about class management to the article:
Classroom Management
20 Classroom Management Strategies and Techniques