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It's a brand new school year and new students will soon enter your classroom. How will you keep things running smoothly so that you can maximize student learning? We collected some education experts' excellent classroom management strategies so that you can start the year off in the best way possible.

1. Relationships, relationships, relationships

One of the most effective and profound means of making your classroom truly function is by fostering strong relationships with your students. "When we're around kids we don't know well who are misbehaving, we often experience anger and an overwhelming desire to put them in their place," says Amy Fast, author of It's the Mission, Not the Mandates: Defining the Purpose of Public Education. "When we've connected with the misbehaving students, we often feel deep sadness and an unrelenting desire to help. One works. One doesn't." Relationships form a bond that encourages students to trust their teacher, feel loved by their teacher, and to feel safe with that teacher. When students feel a connection with their teacher, they are less willing to disappoint them. Students who feel seen, heard, and respected lean in and are more prepared to learn.

2. Set clear and reasonable community expectations

Most of us can think of a teacher - either from our own time in school or a colleague - who runs their classroom on a power trip. Superfluous rules, inconsistent expectations, and disproportionate punishments make for miserable students and a lost opportunity for deeper learning. As you consider the expectations of your classroom this year, be clear about the reason behind each one. Is a rule chosen to make your life easier or is it truly in the interest of creating a powerful learning community? Ensuring that your students understand the reasons for your expectations makes them feel invested and instills a sense of fairness.

Chris Lehmann, founding principal and CEO of Science Leadership Academy Schools and co-author (with ) of Building School 2.0: How to Create the Schools We Need says that "Words matter and when we stress 'classroom management' to teachers, we need to think deeply about what those words mean. There is no question that it is essential for teachers to establish and maintain an atmosphere conducive to learning, but when we think that involves ''managing' all the goings on in the classroom, we actually make it much harder to create the kind of classrooms where authentic learning can happen."

One meaningful way to build community expectations is by working in collaboration with students to co-develop a set of classroom norms and ideals for the year. "Unfortunately, many teachers make the mistake of announcing rather than teaching parameters to their students. The truth is that students do not learn what's announced; they learn what they are taught," says Mark Boynton and Christine Boynton in Educator's Guide to Preventing and Solving Discipline Problems. "It makes no more sense to announce rules regarding acceptable student behaviors than it does to announce-rather than teach-math facts. It is critical that you formally teach and enforce both a discipline plan and rules of conduct from the very first day of school."

Read more about classroom expectations.

3. Make engagement your priority

Engagement is a tricky thing to define and measure. The 2015 Brown Center Report on American Education: How Well Are American Students Learning notes that "student engagement refers to the intensity with which students apply themselves to learning in school." But perhaps one of the most intuitive definitions of engagement comes from the late Phil Schlechty of the Schlechty Center, who said in his book, Engaging Students: The Next Level of Working on the Work, that the engaged student is attentive, committed, persistent, and finds meaning and value in their school tasks. When students are engaged, they are less likely to act out, disrupt, or feel bored. Building engaging lessons, activities, and methods for teaching reduces the need for classroom management strategies.

"Teacher expectations that are too high often lead to frustration; those that are too low often lead to students being bored and feeling that success is cheap and not worth the effort," says Richard Curwin, Allen Mendler, and Brian Mendler in their book Discipline with Dignity: How to Build Responsibility, Relationships, and Respect in Your Classroom. "When we make learning too easy, students find little value in it and take little pride in their achievements. Try increasing the challenge without increasing the tedium." The authors suggest listening to student feedback, using humor, varying your style of presentation, and offering choice to maintain engagement over time.

4. Make parents partners, not enforcers

When students act out in class, teachers often call home looking for some help with enforcement. But when we make parents partners - not just bad cops - we can actually begin to prevent classroom problems. "What is the main reason teachers call home or write home to a parent? Usually, Johnny is in trouble!" says Jessica Balsley, founder of The Art of Education. "What if you were contacted by a teacher for the simple fact that you wanted to say something positive? From the art teacher, no less? This makes a huge impact."

Sending positive messages home not only builds a healthy relationship with a student's family, but it also lets a student feel seen and recognized by the teacher. When a student feels validated by their teacher, they may be less likely to cause issues in class.

5. Fill the space and get interactive

It's easy for students to drift or feel uninspired when a teacher is merely lecturing at the front of a room. Dynamic teachers truly fill the classroom space, moving around, commanding attention and interacting with their learners. A teacher's presence is a powerful thing and can head off behavioral issues before they start.

During instruction, teachers can do simple things like moving around the room, placing a hand on a desk or a student's shoulder, making eye contact, and picking up on visual cues that convey the needs of students throughout the classroom. "When you enter your classroom each day, the first thing students experience is your presence," says Chuck Poole, founder of Teachonomy. "You have the opportunity to make them feel safe, make them feel better about themselves, and make them believe. You also have the choice to intimidate them, make them doubt, and instill fear. Students look to their teachers to be the positive influence that is constant in their lives. A teacher's presence will directly impact the outcomes of the students they teach."

6. Recognize the positive in class

It's easy to get frustrated and call out all of the negative or disruptive behaviors in class, but it can be very effective to take the time to recognize the positive moments too. "Children are highly motivated by the attention of an adult," according to The Center for Advanced Study of Teaching and Learning. "So when a teacher consistently gives attention or praise or rewards the behaviors he or she wants to see, it helps children learn which behaviors are valued by the teacher."

One way to do this is through Labeled Praise. Instead of merely saying something like "great work," a teacher should give more specific feedback like: "Great work today getting your supplies out quickly and getting ready to learn." Recognition can come in the form of one-on-one verbal feedback, whole-group recognition, high-fives, stickers, notes, or rewards.

7. Incorporate break times

Is your class a bit chatty? A little sluggish after lunch? Antsy after sitting too long? Learn to recognize these patterns and behaviors and get preemptive. Kids like to socialize, so why not build in some chat breaks in between learning activities? It's routine for working people to take breaks and have a chat, so why do we expect energetic kids and teenagers to power through hours of school in compliant silence? When students know a break is coming, they may be more likely to stay focused and power through.

Class breaks emphasize the importance of focus during work time and the beauty of taking a well-deserved breather. Even five minutes thoughtfully drizzled into classroom time here and there can give kids a much-needed energy outlet. Let kids talk, do some jumping jacks, have a dance break, or even play.

8. Use consistent cues

When students know what to expect, the class runs much more efficiently. For transitions and when you need the class' attention, decide on a cue and stick with it. Teacher cues can be things like "1-2-3, eyes on me" or "Clap twice if you can hear me" or even flickering the lights - whatever works for you and your kids.

Visual cues are powerful too. For example, when the class is getting too loud during work time, a teacher can display a yellow card on the board.

Call and response cues are a fun way to get kids ready for a task or come back to full attention. For example, Angela Watson, educator and founder of The Cornerstone For Teachers, suggests this fun one. The teacher yells out "Hocus Pocus!" to which students respond, "Time to focus!"

Sound cues also work particularly well in creating classroom mood shifts. Play some soft classical music during work time to solidify the need for quiet focus, while some chimes can signal the end of work time.

There are tons of cue options to choose from, but consistency is what keeps the class humming along.
Keep learning by following the experts mentioned in this post: Jennifer Gunn spent 10 years in newspaper and magazine publishing before moving to public education. She is a curriculum designer, a teaching coach, and high school educator in New York City. She is also co-founder of the annual EDxEDNYC Education Conference for teacher-led innovation and regularly presents at conferences on the topics of adolescent literacy, leadership, and education innovation.
Tags: Back to School Season, Methods and Curriculum, Mid-Career Teacher, New Teacher

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8 Classroom Management Strategies for the New School Year

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It's a brand new school year and new students will soon enter your classroom. How will you keep things running smoothly so that you can maximize student learning? We collected some education experts' excellent classroom management strategies so that you can start the year off in the best way possible.

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Learn strategies for building positive, compassionate classroom communities that engage learners, and find and exchange tips for coping with disruptive behaviors and managing distraction.

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Classrooms are changing.

That change can come from a new generation of teachers, emerging technologies, student behaviors, or a combination of factors.

As a result, teachers' classroom management strategies have changed as well.

If your classroom management techniques fall behind the times, you'll have a daily struggle to keep your students engaged.

Check out the eight best classroom management strategies that'll help you govern your classroom and teach your students in 2018.

1. Show enthusiasm

2. Create first-step compliance

3. Prepare

4. Master transitions

5. Foster collaboration

6. Practice follow-through

7. Remember to play

8. Start a "tech off" policy

Now that you know about each of these strategies, let's take a closer look at each of them.

1. Show Enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is arguably the most important quality a teacher can have.

Bringing an excited attitude to your classroom improves student interest, participation, and even learning.

But "enthusiasm" doesn't always have to mean excitement. In fact, the English word comes from a Greek phrase that means " possessed by a god."

In ancient Greece, that doesn't mean you displayed any particular "godly" quality. But for the qualities you did display, you displayed them proudly and confidently.

The same idea holds true in the classroom.

Presenting yourself - and your lessons - with energy and poise is a sure way to draw students' attention.

It's effective because you establish that you're the center of your students' shared universe whenever you're at the front of the class.

This is because teacher enthusiasm doesn't always have an effect on behavior. But it does play a strong role in cognitive and emotional engagement.

Qin Zhang of Fairfield University noticed this in a controlled classroom environment. Zhang observed that some students may behave in class because of rules, grade incentives, or other external factors.

But just because they're behaving doesn't mean they're learning.

Instead, Zhang points to a concept called "emotional contagion" - the spread of an emotion that someone displays - to credit better student learning.

In a nutshell, students feel the enthusiasm of the teacher, which improves their attention, engagement, and stimulation.

This is why enthusiasm helps student learning. Enthusiasm won't make rowdy students behave well - but it does hold their attention.

2. Create First-Step Compliance

First-step compliance lets you establish a start to your class period while immediately drawing student attention to you.

This idea is great for getting students engaged from the get-go of every class, and it's surprisingly simple for how effective it is.

All you have to do is give your students an easy "task" at the beginning of class.

That task can be almost anything - but you have to deliver it as instruction.

These are some of the easiest (and most popular) first-step compliance tasks in use today:

1. "Everybody's eyes on me."

2. "Look at the screen."

3. "Point your eyes at the board."

These super-simple instructions alert your students that class has started. They also start every class period with a quick accomplishment - kind of like how you can start your day with an accomplishment by making your bed.

It may not be a big deal, but it has big results.

If you've ever seen a hypnotist on stage, you may recognize this style of instruction. It's phrased the same way hypnotists issue commands to their subjects.

The key is to minimize complexity and emphasize action. Start your instruction with a strong verb - look, point, etc. - and follow it with a focus.

Looking somewhere is often the best instruction since most people pay attention to something as they look at it.

With first-step compliance, you get every class off to a productive start.

3. Prepare Yourself

As any teacher can testify, teaching begins way before you step foot in a classroom.

It starts with preparation.

Even in the age of the Internet, it's impossible to overstate the importance of good, old fashioned prep work.

Getting ready for your classes makes all of them work more smoothly.

You can plan for disruptions, create contingencies, and note areas for improvement.

The more time you spend preparing, the fewer surprises you'll have in the classroom.

That'll keep your students more focused and engaged.

When you're prepared to teach, your students become eager to learn.

Preparation also plays a role in enthusiasm. After all, it's easier to be energetic when you know what you're going to do next.

4. Master Transitions

Transitions are key to a successful classroom. Most school class periods last somewhere between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on the school's scheduling strategy.

That means you'll probably have to change gears at least once or twice every class.

That change in gears is a crucial moment in every class. If you're going to lose student engagement, it's more likely to happen during a transition than any other moment.

Thankfully, it's pretty easy to successfully transition from one topic to another.

In fact, you can transition in five simple steps.

1. Signal for attention

2. Say "in a moment"

3. Give directions

4. Say "go"

5. Observe

It's important to signal for attention so every student has their eyes on you. This step is similar to first-step compliance in that you grab attention with a short, easy-to-accomplish instruction.

The words "in a moment" are important as well. This tells students that instructions will be short and that they'll be changing gears soon.

Directions form the core of a transition. This is where you'll say what's about to happen in as few words as possible. The shorter you can say it, the better.

Fourth, say the word "go." As it turns out, "go" is a powerful word. It's short, actionable, and universally understood. When you say it, students know they're moving to the next task.

Last, it's important to observe the student follow-through. Note where they fail and where they succeed so you can change your strategy for next time.

5. Foster Collaboration

Collaboration and group work has always been a staple of education.

The peer-to-peer nature of this teaching style gives students an opportunity to connect with one another.

It also encourages relationship-building, which creates a more positive learning environment in your classroom.

Instituting collaboration in your classroom gives you a new teaching strategy with little work on your end. You can come up with expectations, goals, and deadlines, and then you can turn your students loose!

The only effort required on your part is to ensure groups stay on topic.

Collaboration doesn't have to be face-to-face either. Thanks to massive strides in online applications, companies like Google offer collaboration software your students can use simultaneously.

(In fact, we have a series of modules dedicated to those Google applications complete with collaboration lessons.)

In other words, there's never been a better time to encourage collaboration in your classroom.

6. Practice Follow-Through

It's important that your students respect you. That means they need to respect your word.

If you say you'll do something, they need to trust that you'll follow-through.

This produces happy students, and it reinforces positive qualities like honesty, trust, and follow-through.

The more your students see you keep your word, the more likely they'll be to do it as well.

Passively, this structures your class in a positive, productive way. Students feel that your classroom is a place of kept promises and potential, both of which keep them motivated.

This is a simple idea. But it's how you can lead by example to keep students engaged in your class.

7. Remember to Play

All work and no play makes students stressed out.

In fact, as of 2014, American high school students are more stressed out than adults.

That may not sound significant - these days, we throw around the word "stress" so much that it's hard to remember what such a small word actually entails.

But short-term stress has a major impact on the brain's ability to learn. Long-term stress is even worse, to the point where it can impair minute details like cellular communication.

So when students say they're stressed, they're really saying they can't learn.

That means it's on teachers like you to take the edge off. Even if your class only has a five or 10 minute break from the rigors of a student's life, it can give them a break from direct stress.

You can reduce stress in the classroom by:

1. Making jokes and encouraging laughter

2. Fostering creativity

3. Recognizing student accomplishments

4. Gesturing to encourage engagement

5. Staying positive

The most powerful method on that list is laughter. If you can make students laugh just once a day, it means they've forgotten about their stress - even if it's for a moment.

The results could change how much your students learn.

8. Start a "Tech Off" Policy

There's no question that students today are more distracted than any other generation.

Smartphones, tablets, and even watches are all culprits when it comes to distracting students.

If you want to keep your students on-track as often as possible, you need a "tech off" policy.

You have a couple ways to do this.

First, you can force all students to remove the devices from their pockets, turn them off, and flip them (face-up) on their desks.

That lets you see who's followed instructions. It works best when students place their smartphones in a very specific area of their work station - like the top right corners of their desks.

When you can see that devices are turned off, you can be sure students won't be distracted by them.

Second, if you're using tech in your classroom as well, you can institute a penalty for delayed work.

So if a student doesn't finish their work on school computers before the end of the period, they have to finish their work on paper during the next class.

While this may not sound that threatening, it's a serious motivator for the digital native generation. They've grown up with borderline-unlimited access to screens.

If you take those screens away, they often feel like something is missing.

(This has scarier implications, too. But we won't get into those here.)

Third, you can institute more direct penalties.

These penalties can include everything from grade point deductions to forcing a phone lockout.

Grade point deductions are simple. If you see someone's phone out, take a full percentage point off their class grade.

Forcing a lockout is more complicated. You have to physically confiscate the phone and enter the incorrect unlock code multiple times.

For most phones, this will lock students out of their phones for the next 60 minutes.

With one of these policies, you're sure to find different degrees of success. You can always refine a strategy to make it more specific to your classroom, too.

It's also important to note that you can block all cell signals in a certain area by purchasing a specific kind of jamming device.

However, jamming cell phone signals is a violation of federal law.

In other words, no matter how important you feel it is for students to turn off their phones, you can't force their phones out of commission.

Instead, craft a tech-off policy that works best for your classroom. It may take some trial and error, but every day will be another step in the right direction!

Manage Your Classroom

What strategies do you use for your classroom?

Have you found success with any of the strategies we've listed above?

Let me know in the comments!

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8 Wildly Successful Classroom Management Strategies for 2018

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Classrooms are changing. That change can come from a new generation of teachers, emerging technologies, student behaviors, or a combination of factors. As a result, teachers' classroom management strategies have changed as well. If your classroom management techniques fall behind the times, you'll have a daily struggle to keep your students engaged.

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Teachers concerned with classroom management typically need help with two issues: preventing discipline problems and dealing with current discipline problems. Researchers have established two systems to help promote an orderly learning environment: positive behavior support, and social and emotional learning.

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Make math learning fun and effective with Prodigy Math Game. Free for students, parents and educators. Sign up today!

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The key to managing student behavior has nothing to do with tangible rewards. You don't have to give food, toys, stickers, and pencils as rewards for children, or spend any money at all, in order to gain their cooperation! In fact, teacher control can and should be replaced whenever possible by student self-control. How is this possible? The key is classroom management that prevents problems before they start. This page (which is excerpted from The Cornerstone book) will show you how!

5 Pro-active, positive behavior management strategies for every classroom

1) Have a routine in place for EVERYTHING and practice procedures, not punishment.

Know all of your rules and procedures to the tiniest detail, and if a child stretches those rules even a tiny bit, call them on it. You can get a little more laid back as the year goes on, but make no exceptions for any class rules at the beginning of the school year. Not only do students have to learn your expectations, they have to UNLEARN those of their previous teachers, since everyone has different standards and routines.

It will take weeks to get your students to where you want them to be, and you will have to continually reinforce their behavior all the way through June. Sure, you would think that by the second or third (or twelfth!) grade kids would automatically put the correct heading on their papers or behave a certain way in the hall, but the fact is, they don't do it without positive reinforcement. Please don't get frustrated in September because your kids still ask where to turn their papers in-keep practicing! It's NORMAL. Don't ease up and allow kids to get sloppy. Having your procedures firmly in place will make teaching easier and more effective throughout the entire year.

2) Have a very SIMPLE, positive, whole-class reinforcement system and use individual modification plans for kids with behavioral issues.

I believe that the most effective whole-class plans are based on positive reinforcement for appropriate student behavior. This is in direct contrast to punitive child discipline systems that use the 'descending levels' model and provide increasing consequences or punishment for misbehavior.

Typically, a whole-class plan that provides incentives for good behavior is enough to motivate the majority of children in your class and creates a much more supportive learning environment. The needs of more challenging students can be met through individual behavior modification plans which provide additional structure.

3) Have a low-maintenance method for regular communication with parents about behavior.

If the majority of your class is successful in meeting class norms, you may not need an ongoing communication system with parents. When there is an incident that you feel a parent should know about, a great solution is to send home the child's own reflection on what happened. Filling out problem solving sheets will document behavior problems (which is important for conferences, office referrals, child study/RTI meetings, and so on), and more importantly, helps students reflect on their choices and responsibilities. Children can fill the out the sheets themselves or can dictate to you if they are unable to write independently.

There are lots of strategies for communicating with parents about behavior. One way I've kept parents informed is through daily reports, in which I signed off on children's agendas or notebooks each day. Another method is weekly evaluations, in which I tracked students' behavioral choices throughout the week, marking off misbehavior and missing work as problems occurred, and then summarizing them on the weekly evaluation. Some years, I did those solely to document student behavior and work habits for my own purposes and to update parents. One year with a more difficult class, I also used it as a whole-class behavior management system, letting the kids know how many checks they had and giving positive reinforcements (Fun Friday/center time) or consequences based on their behavioral choices.

4) Make general rules and consequences that are related and logical, and enforce them in ways that are appropriate for individual children.

Playing around during group work? Finish the assignment alone. Ripping up class materials? Not allowed to use them next time. Losing crayons? Can't color during the project.

Every incident should be handled on a case-by-case basis, because each child and situation are different. However, there should be a common thread running throughout and all kids should see a clear connection between what they do and the resulting consequences. Taking away recess or centers isn't necessarily effective when the child wasn't having problems at recess or centers. I recommend tying the consequence directly to the child's action whenever possible.

5) Show kids the power of their influence on how the classroom is run and make a clear connection between the way THEY behave and the way YOU behave.

Students' cooperation or lack thereof has a remarkable effect on both the direction and outcome of a lesson. The problem is that children don't realize the power of their influence unless you point it out to them.

Students must be led to understand that when they follow the classroom expectations, you smile a lot, you give them privileges and additional freedom, and you trust them with fun activities. Similarly, they must learn that when they don't contribute to an orderly classroom, you have no choice but to pull in the reins. This must be taught EXPLICITLY at first-students do not automatically make the connection between what they do and what you do! And once you've taught them that their behavior affects how the classroom is run, you must reinforce this understanding throughout the day by responding CONSISTENTLY to behavioral infractions.
This page gives a general overview of the 5 strategies-learn MORE about each one in Chapter 14 of You'll also learn what to do when you're not seeing results in your classroom behavior management-determine which of 2 problems you've got and learn to remedy the situation immediately! The Cornerstone book and eBook!

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5 Pro-Active Strategies for Positive Behavior Management

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The key to managing student behavior has nothing to do with tangible rewards. You don't have to give food, toys, stickers, and pencils as rewards for children, or spend any money at all, in order to gain their cooperation! In fact, teacher control can and should be replaced whenever possible by student self-control.

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From behavioral observation to conflict resolution, the printables and articles below will help you manage classroom discipline. Read veteran teachers' tips and advice on establishing rules and incorporating effective behavior management strategies in your classroom. You'll find advice for handling disruptive behavior and environmental interventions for minimizing its effect on other students. Our forms and charts are excellent tools for documenting and tracking your students' behavior. They are particularly helpful references for parent-teacher conferences.

Essential Behavior Management Forms

Behavior Management Tips & Advice

Classroom Discipline

Behavior Techniques

Positive Student Behavior

Positive Classroom Behavior
Read ideas and find resources on establishing and maintaining acceptable behavior in your students. New teachers, who are determining the most effective teaching methods for their classrooms, will find this behavior management resource particularly valuable.

Positive Descriptions of Student Behavior
An extensive list of verbs and phrases that will help you to prepare positive, descriptive statements about a student's behavior. New teachers will find this resource particularly valuable when they're writing their first report cards and progress reports.

Putting a Positive Spin on Peer Pressure
Peer pressure has the potential to be a powerfully positive force. By leading students through self-awareness activities, you can create a group of peers who value individualism, practice it in their own lives, and encourage it in others.

Awards, Certificates, and Notes for the Classroom
Reward your students with an award, a note, or a certificate for outstanding work or behavior.

Conflict Resolution

Classroom Organization

Behavior Forms & Charts

Blank Behavior Contract
After completing this behavior contract with a teacher, students are bound to following it. This behavior management printable is customizable. Tailor the PDF to your needs by typing in the highlighted fields before printing.

Charting and Reinforcing Behaviors
This behavior management article includes two handy charts to track student behavior as well as a list of possible positive reinforcers.

Incident Report
Use this report for quick documentation when a behavior incident occurs in your classroom. This behavior management printable is customizable. Tailor the PDF to your teaching needs by typing in the highlighted fields before printing.

More Behavior Management Forms

Additional Resources

Recommended Behavior Management Resources

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Use these behavior management strategies to establish discipline and mutual respect in the classroom. Learn how to handle disruptive student behavior and minimize its effect on others with these articles and printables.

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6th Grade Adolescent Floor Plan

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First Grade Early Childhood Floor Plan

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Create a Classroom Floor Plan with Classroom Architect

With the beginning of the academic year approaching many of us are scrambling to find new, innovative activities to do with our kiddos to get them excited and keep them engaged! There is a really fun website I like to use in the beginning of the year as well as when I teach area and perimeter. The website Classroom Architect is incredibly fun and EASY to use for these lessons!

Have your students go to this website and create their "ideal" classroom. Here is what they will see:

Here is a sample of a classroom that has been constructed:

The only way to save is to save it to a cookie on your computer so I suggest having your students print straight from the site or take a screenshot of their creation. I usually have the students paste a screenshot into a word processing document and type a description of how and why they designed their classroom the way they did. You could even have them write in the voice of a teacher and pretend they are arranging their classroom for their future students. Who knows, you might get some good ideas for your classroom set up!

If you are interested in grading this activity, here is a rubric I like to use. Click the image to take you to the print out :)

Happy designing :)

Follow me on Pinterest to get more techie ideas:

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Create a Classroom Floor Plan with Classroom Architect

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Students will have a blast creating their ideal classroom floor plan using this free website, Classroom Architect. This is also a great resource to use when teaching the math concepts of area and perimeter.

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Outline Your Classroom Floor Plan For students, the classroom environment is very important. The size of the classroom and interior areas, the colors of the walls, the type of furniture and flooring, the amount of light, and the room arrangement all influence how students learn. Thoughtful arrangement of the indoor and outdoor environments will
support your learning goals for students.This tool provides an opportunity for experimentation with the layout of your classroom without any heavy lifting!

To use this tool:
1. Select the basic dimensions of the room from the Room Dimensions dropdowns.

2. Drag objects to the grid from the Items bar, or draw in your own objects with the Draw bar. Arrows will allow you to change the position of some items. Delete an object by dragging it to the trashcan at the bottom, or by clicking 'delete' on your keyboard.

3. Print out your classroom creation. If you have trouble printing, take a screenshot of your floor plan, paste into a doc, and print the doc. Floor plans can be saved to a cookie on your computer and can only be viewed on this computer.

Learning Goals | Example Elementary Classroom

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Outline Your Classroom Floor Plan For students, the classroom environment is very important. The size of the classroom and interior areas, the colors of the walls, the type of furniture and flooring, the amount of light, and the room arrangement all influence how students learn.

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National Association of Special Education Teachers: Professional Resources

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Special Education Web Site - Teachers Teaching Special Education National Association of Special Education Teachers

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is earning an online degree right for me?

Earning an online bachelor's or master's degree or certificate from Saint Joseph's University is a great way to expand your career opportunities while enjoying the flexibility to arrange your studies around your professional and personal schedule. Online classes allow you to do your coursework when and where it's most convenient for you.

How do online courses work?

In online courses, students attend class by accessing a virtual classroom on the web and complete assignments according to the class schedule. Students communicate regularly with the instructor and classmates via e-mail and online discussion forums. Online courses are not self-paced, independent study courses. Students are required to complete assignments according to the class schedule, maintain regular contact with the instructor and participate in online class discussions.

What degrees can I take online?

Saint Joseph's University offers several programs in a fully online format, including:

Bachelor's and Adult Learner Degrees & Post-Baccalaureate Certificates
Online adult learner programs focus on business, health administration and becoming a better leader.

Master's Degrees
Explore an online master's in education, finance and other fields.

Certificate/Certification programs
Get the edge in your field by pursuing an online certificate that provides you with a new level of expertise.

How long does it take to get a degree online?

Every student has a unique situation. Timelines depend on the degree or certificate you are pursuing and the requirements of each program. If you have questions about the program you are interested in, schedule a one-on-one meeting with an admissions counselor.

Do I have to be online at a certain time each day?

It depends on your program of study, as some programs do require a weekly session with your instructor. For other programs, you are required to stay on schedule with assignments and log in multiple times per week. You have the flexibility of choosing the time of day or night you want to log onto the Internet to work on an assignment, but you must complete your assignments and turn them in (through the website) by the specified date and time. Some classes may have several due dates each week. Others may require work only once per week.

Is financial aid available for online students?

Yes, financial aid is available for those who qualify. Our dedicated financial aid staff can help guide you in this process.

We also offer special discounts for Saint Joseph's alumni, employees of participating companies, military veterans and their families and applicants who completed a year or more of service with a qualified mission organization.

Do you offer scholarships for online learners?

Yes, merit-based scholarships may be available to eligible students accepted into our online programs. To learn more about available scholarships and requirements to qualify for them, please contact graduate@sju.edu (master's programs) or admit@sju.edu (bachelor's and associate degree programs).

Can I take part in graduation as an online student?

Yes, many online students commemorate their dedication to achieving their degrees by attending our commencement ceremonies. A full celebration of graduation is conducted every May on Curran Field overlooking City Ave. and Saint Joseph's campus.

How do I apply to online classes?

If you are ready to apply to our accredited online college courses, you can start the process today. Find out everything you need to know about the online course application process on our Application page.

By learning in small-sized classes among students from all walks of life and different professional backgrounds, you have the chance to learn from your classmates and your professors and connect in our mutual passions for the field and our studies."

The university has done an exceptional job developing programs that are flexible, and meet the needs of a variety of students. Working full-time, being an online grad student, while raising 4 children has been challenging at times, yet my program is delivered to allow for busy individuals such as myself to succeed."

Being 10+ years removed from my undergraduate education, I wasn't sure how an online education experience would work. I was overjoyed with how seamless the online studies were, and the amount of flexibility SJU's program offered."

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Online College Courses | Saint Joseph's University

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Ranked Among the Best in the Nation Accredited Online College Courses Saint Joseph's University's accredited online programs are consistently ranked among the best in the nation. We were recognized in U.S. News & World Report's 2022 online education rankings for our online bachelor's degree and graduate programs (MBA, master's in business, master's in criminal justice and master's in education).