Managing a classroom is always an adventure whether you’re managing a large group or even just your own children! A plan of action, strong support system, and parent communication are three tools for classroom management. These tools will help you build a framework for success and can be applied to traditional as well as homeschool classrooms.
Tool #1 for Classroom Management
Make a clear plan of action.
Few things are more frustrating than trying to meet unclear expectations. Therefore, a plan of action should clearly define the rules and establish consequences (positive and negative) for behavior. As a result, it sets the tone for success by letting students know what you expect from them and what they can expect from you.
Make sure the rules can be clearly seen.
Post your rules in a visible location where they can be easily seen by everyone. Additionally, you may even want to post several in different places around the room. This was hugely helpful for my classroom! Even students who aren’t readers will become familiar with it and appreciate the visual reminder.
Take time to explain the class rules and consequences.
Effective classroom management requires some extra time up front to explain and model appropriate behavior. Take some time with your class to clearly read and discuss your class rules and what they mean. In particular, spend some time role playing appropriate behaviors and situations. This appeals to multiple learning styles as students are hearing, seeing, and acting out the expectations.
This article about observational learning points out that children are more likely to adopt behaviors that get some kind of positive reinforcement from others. This can be for good or bad. One of the examples in the article from Michigan State University discusses swearing. It explains that a child is more likely to use inappropriate language if they perceive that it’s funny to an adult or makes them more socially accepted by adults or their peers.
Keep it positive.
Years ago I got tired of saying, “Don’t do this. Don’t do that.” all day long. Rephrasing expectations using positive language proved much less exhausting…for me and for everyone around me.
Rules should be positive, concise, and simple. Think 5 rules or less.
For example, the Busy Bee themed chart below has three basic rules (Bee Kind. Bee Listening. Bee Obedient.) These basic rules encompass just about every inappropriate behavior that will come up eliminating the need for an exhaustive list of do’s and don’ts. I designed this one below, and it’s available to download on my TpT store https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/4loveoflearning.
Positive Reinforcement
Positive reinforcement encourages students to meet expectations. I love using clip charts such as the one below to provide positive reinforcement. However, there are tons of helpful resources out there that provide creative ways to reinforce your class plan.
An effective classroom management plan should always have a path back to the desired behavior. The clip chart in the picture below has been my favorite to use throughout the years in classrooms, Sunday school, and small home school groups. Students can move back up the chart by modifying their behavior which gives the student ample opportunity to end the day well (even if it gets off to a rough start.) Additionally, students are able to easily see what color they are on for quick reference.
Tool #2 for Classroom Management
Find your support system!
“No man is an island, no man lives alone.” (John Donne)
Teamwork makes the dream work. We need each other! Sharing experiences and asking for input from other teachers or homeschooling parents provides a framework for growth. This strengthens us individually and as a group. In addition, it’s always such a relief to be able to share our struggles with others who face the same issues. Sometimes all it takes to feel encouraged is knowing that someone else sees and understands what we’re going through! Having even just one teacher friend or veteran homeschool mom to bounce ideas off of and get advice from can mean the difference between finishing what you started or giving up in despair.
Don’t forget about online support as well. There are many truly helpful educational blogs and websites online that can make our lives so much easier. I’ve linked to a just a few of my current favorites below. They are full of fun, fresh ideas to rejuvenate your classroom! You may also enjoy this article about 4 Tools to Build Reading Success.
Tool #3 for Classroom Management
Parent communication is essential.
“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” (George Bernard Shaw)
Teachers, parents, and students are better together! Effective communication with your students’ families serves to strengthen your classroom. This applies whether you’re teaching a homeschool group, classroom, or Sunday school group! Even if you’re a homeschooling parent of one, you know that communicating with other adults in the child’s life is essential.
The five basics below have significantly improved my parent/student relationships over the years.
- Connect with parents at the beginning of the school year/class/quarter and regularly throughout the year.
- Start out with a positive comment about each student. This really pays off when you have to discuss more troubling issues with parents. If you have already said something positive about their child they’re more likely to listen and believe you have their best interest at heart!
- Use the sandwich method when addressing difficulties. (Start out with a positive. Address the difficulty and offer solutions. End with a positive.)
- Provide a monthly classroom newsletter. This can be as simple as one page (or even an email) that highlights important events and dates for the upcoming month and main concepts the class will be learning. If a newsletter is just too much right now, a simple monthly email checking in with parents goes a long way toward developing a good relationship with your families.
- When discussing issues that arise that may be less than pleasant I try to keep the focus on solutions and practical helps. It’s not helpful or kind to judge motives or pass blame. I want the parent to know that I appreciate their efforts and that my goal is to offer support and encouragement to help their child have the most successful year possible.
Sandwich Method Example
Positive: “Patrick gives his best and puts 100% into the recess soccer games.”
Negative: “When he loses, it’s disappointing for him, and he lashes out at the other team in ways that are inappropriate.”
Positive (offering solutions) “I’m encouraging him to tell me how he feels without putting his hands on anybody.” This is where you can offer and discuss alternative actions that will be appropriate for him to take when he’s upset, such as taking a lap around the playground, doing somersaults or cartwheels, etc. The idea is for him to do something physical with his body as a channel for his negative emotion.
A solid action plan, a support system, and parent communication are the three tools for classroom management that have been most helpful to me over the years! I hope they’re helpful to you as well. I would love to hear from you! Please leave a comment below. If you’re considering homeschooling or teaching a homeschool group you may want to check out these handy resources as well.
https://classicalconversations.com/blog/what-to-know-before-you-start-homeschooling/
https://allinonehomeschool.com/