Classroom Management

A veteran teacher shares how she learned the value of prioritizing relationships when she was just starting out in the classroom.

Strategies for ensuring that students in every grade feel like they’re part of the classroom community.

Greeting each student at the door with a positive message brings benefits for both students and teacher.

Most teachers use silencing methods, such as flicking the lights or ringing a call bell. This article explores some additional ideas categorized by grade bands.

Any student may refuse to cooperate at times, but handling students with oppositional defiant disorder requires that teachers have a plan.

The rose and thorn check-in is a quick strategy for building community and developing student voice.

Teacher-tested ideas to help students quietly fidget.

The year I started teaching seventh- to twelfth-grade English in Minneapolis, Prince launched his song about urban ruin, "Sign o' the Times." That song was an apt musical backdrop for the lives of my students, most of whom lived in poverty and challenged me daily. Fortunately, classroom order improved when I learned that successful classroom management depends on conscientiously executing a few big strategies and a lot of little ones.

I'm a firm believer in keeping the focus on what's really important: the students. If student motivation and higher engagement is truly the desired end game, then we as teachers must adapt right along with our students in our classrooms.

When it comes to managing a classroom, most of what we learn as new teachers is trial by fire. It's also smart to heed the advice of those who have walked -- and stumbled -- before you. If you are struggling with discipline, here are five tips that you can start using right away.