Classroom Management: An Overview

A. AajIslamic Azad University, Science and

Research Branch

Classroom Management

Cooperative DisciplineBy J. Burn

My BEST and Worst Teachers Ever

Identify the best and the worst teacher you have ever had.

Why did you choose them?

What do we learn from this part?

What is Classroom Management?◦ It’s all about effective discipline◦ It’s being prepared for class◦ It’s being motivated◦ It’s motivating your students◦ It’s providing a safe, comfortable learning

environment◦ It’s building your students’ self esteem◦ It’s being creative in daily lessons◦ And . . .

What is Classroom Management?

Put it in a nutshell, it refers to the wide variety of skills and techniques that teachers use to keep students organized, orderly, focused, attentive, on task, and academically productive during a class.

REMEMBER: It’s different for EVERYONE!!!WHY?◦Teaching Styles◦Personality/Attitudes◦Student population◦Not all management strategies are

effective for every teacher

Try different strategies to see if they work for YOU

Why is Classroom Management Important?

Classroom management issues are of highest concern for the teachers especially the novice ones

Classroom management and effective instruction are key factors in ensuring student success and learning

DREIKURS' SOCIAL DISCIPLINE MODEL

1. Humans are social beings and their basic motivation is to belong

2. All behavior has a purpose

3. Humans are decision-making organisms

4. Humans only perceive reality and this perception may be mistaken or biased

Dreikurs’ Principal TeachingsAlmost all students have a compelling desire to feel

they are a valued member of the class, that they belong.

Students’ sense of belonging increases when the teacher and others give them attention and respect, involve them in activities, and do not mistreat them.

When students are unable to gain a sense of belonging in the class, they often turn to the mistaken goals of attention, power, revenge, and inadequacy.

Dreikurs’ Principal Teachings When seeking attention, students talk out, show off, interrupt others,

and demand teacher attention.

When seeking power, they drag their heels, make comments under

their breath, and sometimes try to show that the teacher can't make

them do anything.

When seeking revenge, they try to get back at the teacher and other

students, by lying, subverting class activities, and maliciously

disrupting the class.

When seeking to display inadequacy, they withdraw from class

activities and make no effort to learn.

ByJames Burn

LET’S BEGIN!

“YOU SET THE TONE”

Set the tone for everything… behavior, procedures, grades, attitude…everything!!

Teach students to manage their own behavior

Students LEARN to be on-task and engaged in the learning activities you have planned for them… REMEMBER THIS:

“It is more natural to be off-task than on!”

YOU HAVE HEARD THIS A LOT…

BE Fair, Firm, and Consistent

• Students spot inconsistencies quickly and take joy in calling you out on it!!

• Students may NOT enjoy consequences of inappropriate behavior but they will respect your decisions if they know that you are fair and apply discipline/consequences fairly

ACCENTUATE THE POSITIVE

POSITIVENESS IS A PLUSBuild a positive, PROFESSIONAL

rapport with studentsEstablish a positive classroom

environment

Smile, smile, and smileModel the positive behaviors you

desire in your students

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Says

“IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A PLAN, THEN YOU ARE PLANNING TO FAIL!!”

PLAN, PLAN, PLANPlanning engaging, purposeful lessons is

one of the best recipes for a smooth, orderly classroom

Plan lessons that address multiple learning styles and allow all students to experience success

WHAT IS NEEDED?

BE PREPARED!!Be organizedBe on timeBe prepared for changes to your best

lesson planHave a plan B, or CAnticipate possible problems in your

lessons and activities

“TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE”

BE Smooth:

Student engagement and on-task behaviors are dependent on how smoothly and efficiently teachers move from one learning activity to another

Increase the variety of learning activities but decrease transition time

Always try to have materials ready for each lesson or activity.

Albert Einstein says“You’ve got to

keep it SIMPLE”

Make classroom rules simple

Keep classroom procedures simple

Give clear and simple instructions during classroom activities

FENG SHUI

CLASSROOM ARRANGEMENTMake sure all students can see and hear

clearly (and you can see them clearly)

Arrangement is determined by learning activity (lecture, class discussion, small group work, etc.)

Allow room and easy access for proximity control

Think through class procedures and learning activities and arrange the room in the best possible way

WITH-IT-NESSKounin

Simply put it, Withitness refers to a teacher’s awareness of what is going on in the classroom.

A teacher has “with-it-ness” if:When discipline problems occur, the

teacher consistently takes action to resolve it

When two discipline problems arise concurrently, the teacher deals with the most serious first

The teacher decisively handles instances of off-task behavior before the behaviors either get out of hand or are modeled by others

With-it-Ness (continued)When handling misbehavior – make

sure all students learn what is unacceptable about that behavior

Getting angry or stressed does not reduce future misbehavior

Deal with misbehavior without disrupting the learning activity

PROXIMITY AND BODY LANGUAGEHave equal eye contact with everyone

Avoid turning back to class

Facial expressions, gestures, and physical proximity to students will communicate that you are in calm control of the class and at the same time mean to be taken seriously.

USE HUMOR

Use humor when appropriate

Be able to laugh at yourself

NEVER use sarcasm:

It puts students on the defensive It damages your rapport

EVERY PERFORMER NEEDS A STAGE

Confrontation gives students a “stage” to perform

Avoid power struggles…no one winsGive students a dignified way to get out

of a bad situationAddress behavior issues in private

whenever possible

DEVELOP A THICK SKIN

IT IS NOT PERSONALStudents misbehave…that is common!Students test boundaries and limits… it is

a natural part of growing up!Students don’t always do what we want

them to… no matter how much they like us!

DON’T TAKE IT PERSONNALY!!