CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT in the High School

TTPS FOR BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT in the Elementary School

Discipline problems are common for new teachers. Even after many years of teaching, there are discipline challenges

There are different kinds of discipline problems in the classroom. One is the type where the whole class is unruly and it's very hard to pinpoint who is creating the problem, so it's hard to single one person out. If you do single someone out then she/he complains that it was someone else who started the problem. In situations like this, which are by far the worst for teachers, I would recommend the following steps (these are not in order-it all depends on the situation):

1) Look at yourself: Do you fully understand the material that you are teaching and have anticipated the problems that students may have? Are you presenting material that is too hard? too easy? Are you connecting with your students? Do you have enough structure? Try having someone videotape your lesson. Are you presenting yourself as a firm but caring teacher? Are you engaging in mannerisms that give away that you are insecure? Students have an extra sense for this. If this is the case, try to relax and make time to get to know your students individually.

2) Are you allowing time to explain the new material? Or are you constantly going over homework for most of the period, barely having time to present the new lesson, assigning new homework at the last minute thus creating a cycle where students are truly frustrated? It's amazing how many veteran teachers fall into this pattern. Your timing may be off. Allow time to clearly present a lesson. Allow for practice in class. If time, allow them to start their homework in class and you can walk around helping them. You need time to find out what they need more help on.

3) Talk to your department head or someone you can trust. Have this person visit your class and give you ideas about seating arrangements, your lesson structure, your presentation, etc. Don't try to deal with everything alone. Get a support system you can trust. Never go around telling all your colleagues how horrible this or that student is in your class. You might be surprised how word of this gets back to the student. Some innocent remark by one of your colleagues to this student, such as: "I hear things are not going so well for you in Ms. Smith's class" can make everything much much worse for you. You might be able to change some students to a different class. Get the approval of your department head or principal before you talk to your counselor asking for students to change classes. Remember, as others give you advice, that what works for some teachers may not work for you.

The discipline approach you use has to make you feel comfortable.

4) Never overlook calling home. Most parents or guardians are supportive. In most cases, I let the student know I plan to call home. If you suspect the child's parent or guardian may be uncooperative, or abusive, check with the counselor or with an administrator that may know the family. Never assume that because the parents don't attend school functions they don't care about their child. Many parents work long hours. Some have had bad experiences when they were in school or may be too embarrassed to hear that their child is not doing well. When you talk to the child's parent or guardian, mention the positive as well as the negative. Call home sometimes just for good reasons, too.

5) Never make promises or threats you won't or can't follow. It will only make everything worse in the classroom if you lose the respect of your students.

6) Never lose it! You can raise your voice but never engage in shouting matches with your students. Never say: Shut up!. Never, never, try to physically remove a student. In fact, never touch a student. You can be liable for touching a student unless it is in self defense. Familiarize yourself with your school rules! If you are very angry, try the silent method and try to gain control. Appear relaxed and speak honestly about your expectations in a firm but quiet tone.

6) Discipline problems that involve one or two students are best solved by finding out as much as possible about each student. Some students respond best by being talked to outside of class. It's not a good idea to do this outside of your own class because, for obvious reasons, you must never leave your class unsupervised. You could try seeing the student after your class is over so other students from the same class don't notice. Students are more receptive if they know other students are not watching or listening. Also, they won't have the temptation to show off in front of their classmates.

Other things that may work are: Giving an important job to an unruly student (not when they are being unruly, of course), such as asking them to be a teacher assistant (I have tried having new teacher assistant every week for each of my classes), group recorder, errand person, using their A+ paper as the answer key, etc. These positive gestures can help. Let the student know that you care for him, but not for his behavior. Praise students honestly.

Do it often! By the way, some students don't like to be praised in public and others do.

 Having the student sign a behavior contract and having a conference with the student and the vice-principal to find ways to correct the problem. I've also met with the parent or guardian and a third party (that's important), often with the student present, to try to come up with a solution. Make it clear that you still care for the student, but that you cannot tolerate her/his behavior. One important thing to remember: Don't hold a grudge against any student. Many teachers do and this makes everything get worse.

Remember, there are behaviors that cannot be tolerated in the classroom and call for immediate action. If you or any of your other students are physically threatened you must act immediately. Seek help immediately if you cannot handle the situation on your own. Your classroom should be equipped with a way of calling the main office. Again, become familiar with your district's and state's rules for discipline procedures. Never allow a student to verbally abuse you or any other student.

Remember: Structure and fairness combined with clear expectations and a clear lesson are the elements of good teaching. Teaching is not easy. It does get better. Even after many years of teaching, there are good days and bad days. Continue to learn from each situation.

A -- Anybody can be a friend

A -- All ideas count

A -- Always do your best

A -- Appropriate behavior is expected

A -- Assignments are to be turned in on time

A -- Always put your best foot forward

B -- Be prepared for class (homework, supplies, books)

B -- Be polite to others

B -- Be respectful to yourself and others

B -- Be kind

C -- Consider others

C -- Care for our classroom

C -- Cooperate with your classmates

C -- Challenge yourself

D -- Drop a kind word to a classmate

D -- Do your best

D -- Develop new skills daily

D -- Don't give up

E -- Everyone can do their best

E -- Expect success

E -- Enjoy learning

E -- Erase negative thinking

E -- Enter ready to learn

E -- Establish good study habits

F -- Finish your work

F -- Friends share

F -- Find good qualities in others

F -- Focus on the positives

G -- Goals can be acheived

G -- Give a helping hand

G -- Great attitudes help learning

G -- Get ahead by working hard

G -- Get organized

H -- Help others

H -- Have fun

H -- Hand in your best work

H -- Help each other

I -- Imagination takes you places

I -- Integrity

I -- Involve others when playing

I -- Investigate new learning

I -- Interact with others appropriately

I -- Innovate

i -- Ignore all insults

I -- Invite others to join your game

J -- Jump for joy when you succeed

J -- Just do your best

K -- Kindness is expected

K -- Keep trying

K -- Kids are special

K -- Kindness counts

K -- Keep your supplies organized

L -- Learn new things

L -- Laugh with your friends

L -- Listen carefully

M -- Make the most of your time

M -- Make new friends

M -- Mind your manners

M -- Manage your time and space

M -- Never give up

M -- Notice the positives about your classmates

N -- Nurture each other

N -- Name and date on all papers

N -- Never settle for less than your best

N -- Never give up

O -- Open your mind

O -- Obey classroom and school rules

O -- Organize your space

O -- Open up your mind to learning

O -- Offer your help to others

O -- Obey school and classroom rules

P -- Perservere

P -- Play fairly

P -- Participate in class

P -- Prepare for the future by studying now

P -- Practice makes perfect

Q -- Quitters never win

Q -- Quiet in the halls

Q -- Quality work is importantRespect yourself and others

R -- Reach for the stars

R -- Remember to follow classroom rules

R -- Responsible students complete assignments on time

R -- Respect yourself and others

R -- Rise above your problems

R -- Responsible students are prepared for class

S -- Strive for success

S -- Smile and have fun

S -- Share with others

S -- Set reasonable goals for yourself; then work on them

S -- Strive for success

S -- Schedule time to complete homework

S -- Study each night

T -- Take time to check supplies every morning

T -- Think before you act

T -- Treat yourself and others with respect

T -- Try your best

T -- Teach someone something new

U -- Use your time wisely

V -- Volunteer to help

V -- Victory can be yours

W -- Waste not, want not

W -- Winners never quit

W -- Wear a positive attitude

X -- X out your negative attitude

X -- X-pect success

Y -- You will do great if you follow the rules

Y -- You can do it!

Z -- Zap negative thoughts

Z -- Zero in on your strengths

Z -- Zoom in on the positives

Z -- Zero in on the task