The effectiveness of a new teacher is contingent upon the ability of that new teacher to maintain classroom discipline during lessons. These classroom management strategies must be implemented consistently in order to have any impact on student behavior and must include both rewards for good behavior and punishments for inappropriate behavior.
Classroom Management Tools for Appropriate Student Behavior
Positive classroom management strategies are often reflected in well-behaved, on task classes. Teachers should purposefully praise students for positive behavior in order to increase the appropriate behavior. The idea behind this strategy shows an increase in positive behavior as students receive positive attention for behaving appropriately.
Examples of praise for appropriate behavior include thanking students for sitting quietly, thanking a student for raising her hand prior to answering a question, verbally praising students who are working and on task and so on. Each time a teacher is pleased with the behavior of the class or an individual student, she should find something to praise.
Student Discipline Thwarts Bad Behavior
Preventative classroom management and positive classroom management strategies will only carry a teacher to a point. After this point, students will act up, forget the rules or simply not care that they are misbehaving. It is at this crucial point that a teacher must be able to step in quickly and firmly with a specific strategy designed to end the behavior and teach the proper behavior at the same time.
The first step in preparing student discipline strategies is to understand exactly what is expected of students each moment of the day. Without a specific expectation it is not appropriate to expect students to always obey. When the teacher knows what she expects, she must in turn provide that information to students.
When it is clear that a student knew and understood the expected behavior and has disrupted the class unnecessarily, the teacher must respond quickly. There are a variety of classroom management discipline methods including a time out, losing points, name on the board and so on. The teacher must choose a method that works best for her.
Consistent Classroom Management is Most Effective
A teacher who only disciplines students for breaking rules when she becomes frustrated with the students will be frustrated often. Students will quickly learn how many buttons they can push and how hard before they will get in trouble, and often students enjoy pushing these boundaries so much that they are willing to endure the rare consequence for their actions.
To prevent this, teachers must consistently discipline students. If there is to be an exception to the rule, ensure that it is a rare exception and that students completely understand the exception. Other tips on implementing effective classroom management strategies include:
- Keep voice calm and low when disciplining a student.
- Remain calm at all times.
- Demonstrate student expectations so there are no questions as to how a student is to act.
New teachers have a lot to think about each day in the classroom. Extra preparation for classroom management strategies will help the teacher manage student behavior with little additional thought, leaving maximum time and effort for effective teaching.
Find More Related Information:
Classroom Management Strategies for New Teachers – Tips on class rules and consequences.
Getting Ready to Go Back To School – Find out what needs to be done ahead of time in order to be ready for the first day of school.
Quick Tips for Student Discipline – Find all the information you need on classroom management strategies.
Jennifer Wagaman - Jennifer is a mother of 2 and has both public, private and administrative experience in the education field.
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