What Is Classroom Management?

What is classroom management? It is the rules and procedures teachers use on a daily basis in their classrooms.
^{~Harry and Rosemary Wong}

Elementary classroom management is a whole different ball game than upper grades.

The classroom routines that are established from the first day of school will assist a teacher in working with the rowdy energy of young children.

There are unique classroom routines for elementary classroom management.

A teacher must be prepared for anything and have trained the students how to operate within the classroom.

Effective classroom routines mean that the students could run it like clockwork even if you are not there.

Best Practices for Elementary Classroom Routines and Management

The thing about elementary classroom management is that it can take over the first month of school to train them in your expected classroom routines.

This is time well spent. An effective teacher will get more out of the entire year by putting in this initial investment.

When educators understand what is classroom management, they can finally get to teaching content.

The First Days of School

From the first day of school, the first minute, start establishing procedures for your students to follow.

These classroom management tips are courtesy of The First Days of School: How to Be an Effective Teacher.

Even mid-year, it is well worth it to review through modeling and practice your expected classroom routines.

Be at the door when students arrive. Your presence signals the students that you are ready to work and learn with them.

Use a seating arrangement that is not traditional rows - back rows encourage poor behavior.

Model and train desired behaviors for classroom routines - this could take a month or more.

Keep the classroom rules short and easy to follow - no gray areas.

Be a constant presence around your students (don't sit behind a table all day).

Give the students a predictable schedule, as much as possible.

Use best teaching practices that are evidence-based - this helps keep students positive about their learning!

Use redirection and positive reinforcement when appropriate.

Involve the home - be sure you have clearly communicated to parents the routines, procedures and expectations for the class. A great way to do this is by using classroom newsletter.

There are times when you will need a specific behavior intervention plan. This is also part of behavior management in the classroom.

Here's one of the best classroom management tips: Don't assume anything - it is better to over-practice than assume students know how to do something. My first year in second grade I assumed they knew how to sharpen pencils. Now I teach that lesson the first day of school and we practice how to do it for the next two weeks!

Be consistent, be consistent, be consistent!

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