What's The Best Classroom Management Advice You've Gotten?

Dr. Garrett,

You seem like a very knowledgable person on the discipline topic. My cause for calling your comment "outdated" was mainly a reaction to your statement that "An environment that is dictated by too many rules is rigid, cold and likely to create an atmosphere of rebellion." The outdated pardigm that I am trying to change here is the traditional notion that good teachers only have 10 or fewer rules or something along those lines. As I said earlier, the number of rules has nothing to do with the rigitity of a classroom. It is all about the attitude(as evidenced by my Ron Clark example). My pardigm shift attempt here is that the focus should be changed from the number of rules to the enforcement of them.

Good discussion.

Management:

Overall I believe that having a good building relationship with students is the most important part to managing a class. If you a good relationship with students they will respect you more and be more willing to do what is told or expected of them in class.
Also like Joel said, being a good role model is so important, esp. with being a young new teacher I really believe that they look up to us a bit more in that sense than older teachers. Students tend to find us more relate-able to them since we are closer in age.
I also believe that having procedures and an organized class make all the difference. Having procedures gives students organization and knowledge of what to or not to do in particular situations.

Ah! Yes, absolutely teachers should develop what works. However, I guess the question is: What system will work best for the students to help them embrace principles versus merely complying with a set of rules at all?

I should specify that I'm focusing in on high school specifically, here. It is at this level where we must not only have rule(s), but that we must help students understand how to be adults.

I do dismiss the huge number of rules camp for high schoolers because distinguishing between a procedure (how to do something, such as how to submit papers) and a rule (attitude or behavior) is at the core of what adults do. We have all kinds of procedures (how to submit our lesson plans), but it is not the non-compliance to the procedures that will get us in trouble. It is our attitude or behavior.

I was fortunate enough to meet with Mr. Clark--what a WONDERFUL speaker. I can see how he was able to use his format with middle-schoolers. It was more concrete and tangible. That's what middle-schoolers need. However, high-schoolers need a different approach to discipline.

I didn't "wing" the discipline, really. I just made sure that whatever the student did had a logical consequence, NOT a series of "steps" or "tally marks" or "detention before calling parents". Love and Logic is an excellent resource for this methodology! : >

In a nutshell, the approach to discipline should change as the students change. : >

Cheers,
Mindy

I think we are starting to go around in circles now, but I guess we will have to agree to disagree at this point haha. I think many rules can work well with high schoolers(mine are mostly 11th and 12th). I also think that what is most comfortable for the teacher will often play a large part in what works. Great discussion.

I'm a bit late in the discussion, however, I agree with many of the comments made. I have worked with ages from preschool to high school and have found that a foundation of firm, well prepared rules is necessary. Having this in place from the beginning of the school year sets a clear standard in the classroom. Consistent execution of the rules helps to maintain the respect fostered tin the classroom. Once these rules are in place, I feel the most vital piece of classroom management is developing relationships of trust and equality. If this is the ultimate goal of a student - teacher relationship, real learning can take place.

However, I realize students need to be held accountable for their actions, and held responsible for their learning. Love and Logic is a fantastic and simple way to teach students how to problem solve in a respectful manner.

I am grateful for the insights shared thus far. I continue to explore new methods and ideas to develop my skills, so thank you for your comments!!!

Primarily, one of the best advices I got from my Principal was to stay firm and consistent inside the classroom. Once this kind of attitude has been established, the learners would firmly believe in the teacher.

I certainly believe with what you said. It should me more on reinforcement. This would dictate whether you are a real classroom manager or not.

The best advice I ever received as a teacher/counselor was to learn how to manage transitions! Moving from the restroom back into the room, from a group discussion to independent work time, from reading into math are just a few examples of transitions. Little did I know at the time that you first had to determine what transitions you have during a typical school day! After that, each transition had to be broken down into steps, then they had to be explicitly taught, monitored and given feedback! Now I get to share how to create and teach transitions, routines and procedures using Teach-To's from Time To Teach. Let me know if you what more information on transitions as well as school-wide PBIS and classroom behavior management by me contacting through BehaviorInSchools.com. Tom

Treat each student with respect and do not embarrass them in front of their peers. Talk to the student who is breaking the rules of your class by themselves. They will want to show off and be disrespectful to you in front of the group. Sometimes if you let them be your helper and give them a job their behavior will change. Let them know that you care about them and want them to learn. Ask them what can you do to help them be successful in your class.

Marlene--great comment about showing respect to your students. The key to having a good discipline plan is to have consequences that match the severity of the misbehavior. There are very few situations that would warrant humiliation. Too many teachers use this strategy way too often. See my blog and website at withoutanger.com