Managing a room full of students can be challenging. You quickly find that what works for one student doesn’t work for another, and sometimes you feel like you are spinning in circles trying to find something that works. It can be frustrating, for sure.
Management styles and methods vary from teacher to teacher, and can be dependent on many factors. Teacher personalities can influence the kind of management techniques that are used. Student personalities can also largely determine how a teacher manages the classroom. Another factor that definitely plays a role is the grade being taught and managed. Kindergarteners and first graders are typically going to eagerly respond to management techniques that involve silly, catchy little rhymes or actions, such as “One, Two, Three, Eyes On Me!”, sticker charts, and so on. Younger grades tend to also be very highly motivated by external motivators: give them a chance to earn a tootsie roll or a sticker, and you will grab their attention quickly! Upper elementary grades also usually respond to similar methods, but often aren’t as quick to do so.
Secondary classes can be trickier to find successful management techniques. For the students who truly need behavior management help, offering a sticker or piece of candy probably isn’t going to do much. Forming a connection and being kind, however, will go a long way.
I recently surveyed a handful of teachers about their classroom management techniques. I found a good variety of answers and ideas. Keep reading to see what they had to say!
What is one classroom management technique that you have found great success with?
- Connection (9th grade)
- I have a 120 chart and kids put small sticky notes on it as they are caught being good. When the chart is full we spin a wheel for the winners! I pick 5 or 6 kids. Then we take them all off and start again! Winners get a prize from the prize box! (1st grade)
- Focusing on positive behaviors, having a type of behavior system for individuals, groups/tables & whole class (4th grade)
- Reinforce positive behaviors (Kindergarten)
- Classroom money with a class store linked with prizes they actually want. (2nd grade)
- My students absolutely love being called out for making good choices and signing a chart. Once the chart is full we do a class drawing to win prizes or other things. (3rd grade)
What is your biggest struggle with classroom management?
- Adapting systems to each class. Every year is different! (4th grade)
- Students unable to communicate. (9th grade)
- When I cannot find what motivates certain kids and it seems like NOTHING works! (2nd grade)
- It is so hard to give a consequence to a student you know will not take it well. (3rd grade)
- Defiance- straight up telling me no. (1st grade)
- Noise level. (Kindergarten)
What classroom management advice would you give to new teachers?
- Consistency is key, even when you know the student might take a consequence badly. Also sometimes what’s fair for one isn’t fair for the other. It’s ok to make tweaks in expectations for students that need it. (3rd grade)
- Have class, individual, and group systems. (Money, table points, whole class parties they work together to earn) and just know these kids are built different so it is harder! (2nd grade)
- Connect with your kids, they will do anything for you if you form that connection from the start. Set high expectations, but give grace. (9th grade)
- Think of your behavior management plan and then explicitly teach it to kids! State expectations clearly and then hold them to it. (4th grade)
- Keep at it! It takes time and patience! (1st grade)
- Keep kids busy and working. (Kindergarten)
Great advice all around! These teachers shared some great ideas as well as some encouragement– something we can all benefit from!
When it comes to finding what works for you as a teacher, it can be a lot of trial and error, and it may take some time to settle into a groove that works for you and for your class. But if there’s one thing that I’ve learned about teaching, it’s that any time spent trying to help your students be their best selves and to succeed is time well spent!