Classroom Management Essentials

Succeeding in Managing your Classroom to Optimize Learning

Dec 7, 2008

A solid classroom management plan requires several key components to be successful: respect, routine, and rewards.

When starting the school year a teacher must have a specific plan in mind for managing the classroom. There are common elements to most classrooms, each tailored to the teacher's specific taste with student comfort and potential for success in mind. The success of the classroom management plan will determine the tone of the entire year. Three common elements in many classroom management plans include, respect between all who take part in the classroom, routines that establish and maintain the flow of the classroom, and rewards of varying types to instill a sense of success for the students.

Respect in the Classroom

Respect is one of the key elements to successful classroom management. Respect begins with the teacher; it is built and established from day one. When student behavioral expectations are set to a high bar from the beginning, the students will often rise to that expectation. Additionally, teachers must model proper behaviors that are expected from students. Respect from teacher to student will result in reciprocity and establish an overall respectful atmosphere in the classroom.

Setting boundaries in the classroom will ensure that students thrive in the classroom. However, it is imperative that there is a balance allowing for some student control. Empowering your students to succeed is more beneficial than bullying them into performance. Allow for students to work together as a class to establish the classroom boundaries. As the teacher facilitating this process, you can lead it in the proper direction while establishing a sense of ownership within the classroom at the same time. This will lead to success in managing the classroom while establishing a respectful tone.

Routines in the classroom are a vital component to managing a classroom successfully in an effort to reach your educational goals. Students will blossom under expectations that are clear and routines that maintain the flow of the classroom. At the start of the year, begin implementing the routines that work for you as the teacher and your schedule as a class. Once established, consistency is the key. When a solid routine is established and implemented, the classroom becomes a well oiled machine. It runs smoothly, and allows for maximum learning potential. Students feel more at ease when they know what to expect and can run with those expectations.

Rewards in the classroom come in many forms depending on the education level of the students but overall they reap the same result in the classroom. When students feel accomplished in their efforts, they often continue at the same performance level. When students are acknowledged for their efforts, they will often times be more receptive to new challenges. Allowing for rewards is a component that all teachers should consider. Each teacher has their own comfort level when considering rewards and each school district has their limits regarding a reward system. Research and decide what that means for you and develop your own system.

Rewards should not always be tangible, consider a compliment system, verbal recognition in front of peers or parents and written notes of encouragement. When a student feels they are succeeding in the eyes of someone they look up to, such as their teacher, parents or even their peers; it gives them the confidence to continue reaching their goals. A reward system should be in place to honor students’ efforts and to encourage their continuous growth. This will ensure the tone in the classroom is one of confidence, success and support.

Classroom management is a delicate balance of many things; it is difficult to succeed in the managing of your classroom without establishing respect, maintaining consistency through routine or honoring individual and group successes with a rewards system. The key to successful classroom management is the balance of these things primarily as well as the smaller day-to-day elements that come into play.

The copyright of the article Classroom Management Essentials in Classroom Organization is owned by Nicole Hempeck. Permission to republish Classroom Management Essentials in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.