6 Tips for Classroom Management Refresh
Studies show that teachers have to reestablish classroom management skills in the classroom due to spring fever!
Instead of handling disruptions after they’ve happened, it can be more effective to set up conditions in which they are less likely to occur.
Here are 6 classroom strategies that teachers can use as a refresher for spring.
REINTRODUCE A SPACE FOR CONNECTION UPON ARRIVAL
This could be a weekly choice board that includes drawing, reading, and writing prompts to ease students into the day.
FOR EXAMPLE:
a fact of the day connected to the subject
a good morning to do slide
a playlist of soothing music playing in the background
a word search ready on the desk
A CENTRAL CHARACTER FOR THE WHOLE CLASS
Try incorporating a positive role model into the classroom. Puppets or stuffed animals are a great way to peak student interest.
My students love having my Muppet Patty join us for morning meetings and read-aloud time. One year we even wrote letters to her.
MORNING MEETING
At the beginning of the day, before the hustle and bustle begin, students meet me on the carpet for 15 minutes of circle time.
Every day we begin with a theme of the day, prayer, discussion time, and calendar time. The students lead out in this and it has literally been a game changer.
DAILY STUDENT CHECK-INS
use daily student check-ins to connect with how my students are feeling that day. I push these through Google Forms and you wouldn't believe how much they open up. I've learned so much about my students through these simple check-ins.
GREET STUDENTS AT THE DOOR
Greeting my students at the door helps me set a positive tone for the rest of the day. I incorporated a "greeting chart" that they chose which way they'd like to greet me.
Example:
Greet with a high five
Greet with a hug
Greet with air high five
Greet with verbal good morning and head nod
USE REMINDERS AND CUES
Reminders and cues are helpful ways to encourage students to follow instructions without being overtly controlling or forceful. I love using my portable doorbell!
Example:
If you can anticipate a disruption-such as students getting out of their seats if they finish an assignment early, give a short reminder of what they should do instead.
I hope these tips were helpful, what are effective ways you implement classroom management in the spring?
