Elementary school students may not always be perfectly well behaved or on-task, but having some classroom rules or routines that show children what is expected of them is helpful. There are many ways that a teacher can incorporate these classroom management techniques into the normal day without taking too much time away from the lesson.
Signals, both visual or verbal, are probably the easiest ways to get childrens attention. In order to achieve this, the signal must be discussed with the students on the first day so they know what to expect and what they should do when the signal is given. When a signal is given, students should be quiet, listening, and have their eyes on the teacher. For example, when the students get too loud or off task, you could simply turn off the lights. As long as students know what this means they should settle down. Some other signals include putting your hand in the air, ringing a bell, or saying something like "1-2-3 eyes on me!" Once students get used to the signal, they will naturally respond by being quiet.
Rewards and Consequences is a very effective classroom management technique. When students show positive or negative behavior they either get a reward or a consequence. It is best when you have a set of classroom rules prepared to give them guidelines. The stop light technique is becoming increasingly more popular for younger children. For this, teachers make a stop light and give each student a clothespin or magnet with their name on it with each student starting on green. When they break a rule, they move their name to yellow, and if they do it again, to red. There are then consequences for those who are on red, or rewards for those who are on green. This can be modified for older grades by putting their name on the board if they break a rule and then check marks everytime they get in trouble, three strikes and you're out. Sticker charts to reward good behavior can be used for younger children.
Some rewards could be: a prize, extra recess time, time on the computer, or free time.
Some consequences could be: time out, no recess, call home, or Principal's office.
These ideas and others can be found at http://www.k6edu.com/.
Signals, both visual or verbal, are probably the easiest ways to get childrens attention. In order to achieve this, the signal must be discussed with the students on the first day so they know what to expect and what they should do when the signal is given. When a signal is given, students should be quiet, listening, and have their eyes on the teacher. For example, when the students get too loud or off task, you could simply turn off the lights. As long as students know what this means they should settle down. Some other signals include putting your hand in the air, ringing a bell, or saying something like "1-2-3 eyes on me!" Once students get used to the signal, they will naturally respond by being quiet.
Rewards and Consequences is a very effective classroom management technique. When students show positive or negative behavior they either get a reward or a consequence. It is best when you have a set of classroom rules prepared to give them guidelines. The stop light technique is becoming increasingly more popular for younger children. For this, teachers make a stop light and give each student a clothespin or magnet with their name on it with each student starting on green. When they break a rule, they move their name to yellow, and if they do it again, to red. There are then consequences for those who are on red, or rewards for those who are on green. This can be modified for older grades by putting their name on the board if they break a rule and then check marks everytime they get in trouble, three strikes and you're out. Sticker charts to reward good behavior can be used for younger children.
Some rewards could be: a prize, extra recess time, time on the computer, or free time.
Some consequences could be: time out, no recess, call home, or Principal's office.
These ideas and others can be found at http://www.k6edu.com/.
I find classroom management to be one of the most important things to achieve in a classroom. I also find it to always be evolving, and some techniques that may have worked at the beginning of the year need to be changed to be more effective. I liked that you brought up the stoplight idea. In almost every class that I have subbed in the teacher has had some form of this as her indicator of good/bad behavior. I have also had teachers who send home notes everyday with certain students who need to have their behavior constantly reported to their parents. There are so many different ways people go about classroom management, and I can't wait to develop some of my own.
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