1) Create a welcoming environment
- The classroom should be decorated in an appealing but not overwhelming fashion.
- Display student work on the classroom walls.
- Add interest based visuals to inspire curiosity.
- Make sure to have different areas (ones for quiet work and group work).
2) Hold classroom meetings
- Start the year with classroom meetings to co-create class expectations and rules.
- Keep the rules short and simple.
- Have all students agree on the rules.
- Agree on consequences for broken rules.
- Send finalized rules home and have parents sign them.
- Display rules in the classroom.
3) Have a classroom newsletter and send to parents informing them about learning and important events
4) Consistency is important
- Make sure to follow through on your classroom management plan.
5) Use a 3 step discipline plan
- Provide a calm reminder regarding rules.
- Use natural consequences.
- Decide with the class what step 2 and step 3 should entail.
- Step 2 might involve delayed-choice time during daily 5, delayed chance to be the line leader, or doing something positive for the class such as organizing the bookshelf.
- Step 3 might be to call the parent or speak with the principal.
- Do not take away recess as this is often needed for students that are high energy.
6) Use nonverbal signals
- Teach students to ask questions with non-verbal signals in order to minimize disruptions, for example: holding up 1 finger to indicate needing a pencil, 2 fingers to indicate needing a tissue, 3 fingers needing to use the bathroom and 4 fingers to indicate needing a drink of water.
- Use predetermined secret nonverbal signals with individual students to remind them of a goal they may be working on.
7) Reward good behaviour and student successes
- Send notes home regarding student improvements, successes, and good behaviour.
8) Maintain open communication lines with parents
- Let parents know ahead of time of any difficulties their child may be having.
- Provide information to parents about how best to support their child at home.
9) Use contracts with students when attempting to improve agreed-upon behaviours
- Privately conference with individual students to develop a goal and a plan for improving a particular behaviour.
- Have students sign a contract in a business-like fashion.
- Send the contract to the parents as well.
- Do not reprimand students if they do not achieve the goal, instead provide more positive reinforcement when they do achieve the goal.
10) Teach students how to resolve their own conflicts
- Teach students a framework such as (stop, think/plan and try it out).
- Use several classes to have students practice the problem-solving strategy.
My personal experience:
The above strategies I have used before during my years of teaching experience. One particular lesson that I learned recently is regarding the use of Class Dojo. Class Dojo is a classroom website that allows teachers to create their own classroom and provide students with their own avatar. Students can then be given points for good behaviour or have points taken away. Parents may also connect and be informed of their child’s progress. In the past, I have taken away points. I think that in the future, only providing positive points will be my strategy. I learned that taking away points only created a rift in the teacher/ student/ parent relationship. In my past classrooms, students have then been able to use their points to “purchase” treats or cool items from the class store. Although some may argue that the class store encourages extrinsic motivation which may not be completely beneficial for students. I found that students in my classes really enjoyed the classroom shop and some even created art for it to be sold in the shop.
McClowry, S. G. (2014). Temperament-based elementary classroom management. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.
