# data[].attributes.body
I love how you mentioned how important it was to keep classroom behaviors and expectations understood you must establish classroom rules regularly. I found a great article that mentions this same importance. I think It would be great to give it a read in  order to learn some great strategies in this concept.

This article states the following:

"Teachers can establish clear expectations for behavior in two ways: by establishing clear
rules and procedures, and by providing consequences for student behavior."

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Robert_Marzano/publication/283749466_The_Key_to_Classroom_Management/links/56f26c0908aed354e57293d3/The-Key-to-Classroom-Management.pdf (Links to an external site.)

Jackson Cooney

# data[].attributes.body
A classroom management behavior plan is a contract that a teacher makes with his/her students that ensures the protection of the right to learn as well as enjoy school with no disruptions. Basically, teachers establish classroom rules and procedures, create classroom rewards and consequences, and remaining consistent throughout the year. You should also post these agreements on the board, near the door, and in visible places throughout the classroom. Finally, student seating, classroom jobs, and different locations (cooldown corners) are good ideas to promote good classroom behavior and aid in classroom management.

# data[].attributes.body
I think a strategy that teachers can use to have better classroom management is positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement for good behaviors is a key thing that is necessary for your students to not only behavior well but, want to behave well all the time. Children at a young ages are starving for attention and positive reinforcement gives them that attention they want. If a student knows he is going to get positive reinforcement for good behaviors he is more likely to act on his or hers best behavior because the need for that attention. positive reinforcement also helps your other student learn right from wrong behaviors very fast by watching their peers.

# data[].attributes.body
In a classroom I think that there should be a clear understanding and communication between the teacher and students of what the rules and expectations are. When the students know what you expect of them they are less likely to break those rules.

# data[].attributes.body
I think it's important to have an environment where students feel comfortable. I want my students to feel like they can make mistakes and not feel ashamed in my classroom. I want my students to look forward to coming to class. I think its important to have good classroom unity as well. Make sure we know each other personally in the classroom, especially with me. I have always done better in my classes where I have a good relationship with the teacher. So I want to manage my students on more of a personal level.

Sam Draxler

# data[].attributes.body
Classroom management is very important for number of reasons. The environment is key when working with children. It should express a place they want to be and is excited to be. Classroom management makes sure everything runs smoothly and helps keep things on track. Helps with creating great student-teacher relationships.
https://www.edutopia.org/article/key-effective-classroom-management

# data[].attributes.body
The classroom should be a caring and warm environment that will let students feel comfortable learning and sharing. I think that one of the best things to do is to establish rules for the classroom that the students can help make. I also think that teaching and learning about respect can greatly affect the way students respond to the teacher and classmates as well. https://www.uen.org/k-2educator/classroom.shtml

# data[].attributes.headline
Classroom management skills are important to learn. 

# data[].attributes.subject
Classroom management skills are important to learn. 

# data[].attributes.body
I think learning and having basic classroom management skills is so important to be able to manage your classroom. One skill that I think is important to have for classroom management is getting to know your students. Connect with each child & show them you care.
Abbey Robison

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Lauren Salisbury

A California native, Lauren has worked, taught, and lived in four countries, including the United States, Australia, Spain, and Costa Rica.

Think back to your days in Elementary school. Who was your favorite teacher? Now take a moment to remember your days with that teacher and the atmosphere of the classroom that he or she cultivated. Do you have fond memories of story time, hands-on science experiments or class flag football games?

No matter what your individual memories may be, chances are your favorite teacher was one who created a calm and organized setting in the classroom, allowing you and your fellow students to be absorbed by learning. Cultivating this atmosphere didn't happen by accident -- your favorite teacher used his or her classroom management skills to achieve this result.

Now that you're teaching abroad, it's your turn to cultivate a similar learning environment for your students, and you are going to need to know at least the basics of classroom management.

In fact, classroom management is the key to success in any classroom around the world. This can loosely be defined as the ability to maintain a functioning classroom in which your students demonstrate appropriate behaviors that are conducive to learning.

It can take teachers years of study and real-world experience in the classroom to master the art of classroom management. If you are about to begin an experience with teaching abroad -- or have in fact already started your time in the classroom -- we know that you're likely in dire need of at least a run through of the basics in lieu of hard-earned experience. The checklist below will provide you with this quick overview of the basics so that you can begin implementing classroom management skills immediately.

1. Get to Know Your Students

Strong personal relationships with your students will form the backbone of a well-run classroom. Think about your own experiences as a student: were you more motivated to follow the rules with a teacher you felt knew you on a personal level or with a teacher who treated you like just another number?

From day one in the classroom, invest time in getting to know your students. Learn their names and use them in practice. Playing games is a great way in the early days of your teaching abroad experience to not only get to know your students but also engage them in active learning. If it's the start of the school year name games can also help your students get to know their fellow students.
Related: 10 Best Games for ESL Teachers Abroad & 10 More Great Games to Play in the Classroom

When speaking with children it is also important to get down on their level and address them at eye level. This builds mutual respect and demonstrates to your students that you value them as human beings and therefore value them as active partners in maintaining a functioning learning environment.

2. Prepare Lessons in Advance

There is no such thing as "winging it" when it comes to teaching abroad. While a day in the classroom may feel like a seamless, care-free experience from a student's perspective, the truth is that the best of teachers spend a large amount of time preparing for the school day well in advance (or at least have done so early on in their careers).

In order to have a classroom where things run smoothly, it is essential to have prepared lessons in advance. Lessons should be well-planned and engage your students at their learning level. There are a wealth of resources online that will help you with the basics of lesson planning. Veteran teachers at your school are also a great resource to get ideas for lessons -- or run through the lessons you've developed on your own with an expert.
Related: Tips for Creating ESL/EFL Lesson Plans
Lesson planning is not the place to cut corners. If you don't think through all the steps and details before you are in front of your class of students, how will you be able to do so in the moment? Trust us, the more time you spend lesson planning in advance, the better your chances of success are in the classroom.

If you're new to teaching abroad and unsure how to plan your first lessons, here are some good lesson plan ideas for first-time teachers to inspire you.

3. Make Learning Hands-On

The more engaging you can make your lessons, the more likely your students will be to listen to your instruction and exhibit behaviors that lead to focused learning. One way to make lessons more engaging is to make them hands-on. This will be an especially helpful tool with younger students as they have shorter attention spans.

Students are more apt to learn when they feel they can interact with the material you are trying to teach them. Seek out ways to incorporate hands-on activities into your lessons. Perhaps your students can build a volcano to conduct a chemistry experiment or learn a dance to demonstrate the functions of the digestive system. Any time students can build or construct something with their hands -- or physically engage their bodies in play -- they will more focused on participating in the activity, minimizing their opportunities to goof off or distract other students.

4. Use Praise as a Reward

One of the most powerful rewards a student can receive is praise from his or her teacher. After all, as a teacher and role model you hold a lot of power in your position as the gatekeeper to knowledge. However, this comes with a caveat; praise needs to be earned honestly and specific.

When delivering praise, use the names of your students and point to specific examples of their behavior that deserve to be rewarded. For example, instead of pointing to John and saying, "great job," consider making a statement such as "John, I love the way you are listening to me and you are sitting on your bottom with your hands in your lap."

You can also consider using a positive reward system for a prize of something small, such as stickers, that students can work towards by earning points for good behavior. However, the use of praise should be your starting point as this may prove to be an effective tactic on its own.

5. Minimize Reprimanding

It may seem that in order to have a well-run classroom you will need to be a strong disciplinarian. However, in the most well-run classrooms reprimanding is kept to a minimum. Specific, timely delivered praise is a more effective tool in the long run.

The more you reprimand the more your students will have a chance to get used to this and the desired effect will be dimmed. Think about it: if a teacher is constantly yelling at his or her students, the students will likely adapt to this mode of communication and words -- or their tone delivered -- will no longer carry as much weight.

Discipline action should always be the last resort. Consult a well-respected teacher or even the principal of your school before carrying out any discipline. Discipline is something that can vary widely from culture to culture, so it is very important that you follow all cultural norms should disciplining a student be necessary. In most cases, because of your limited experience in the classroom, you will want to delegate this responsibility to someone higher up the chain of command at your school.

6. Follow the Lead

As a new teacher abroad, following the lead of seasoned, well-respected teachers at your school can go a long way. Many programs abroad will pair you up with a seasoned teacher at your school. If this is not the case, seek out expert teachers at your school. Build relationships with them as well and ask them for advice.

If a fellow teacher has already set certain routines in place in your classroom, continue these routines. If you try and change the system it may disrupt learning, and chances are there is a reason (or many reasons) for these set systems anyway.

Keep in mind that cultures vary in different regions of the world, so your perception of the "right" way to do things may not always be right. Again, having solid relationships in place with fellow teachers at your school will help you navigate cultural differences as they arise or become apparent.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How to Improve Your Classroom Management: A Beginner's Guide

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Lauren Salisbury A California native, Lauren has worked, taught, and lived in four countries, including the United States, Australia, Spain, and Costa Rica. Think back to your days in Elementary school. Who was your favorite teacher? Now take a moment to remember your days with that teacher and the atmosphere of the classroom that he or she cultivated.

# data[].attributes.headline
Classroom management sets the course for the day and lessons and allows the teacher to precede without having to remind students daily of small bad behaviors. Without it the class would be chaotic and not orderly. I think one technique that is very useful to classroom management is songs or callbacks the teacher can use to redirect students focus without raising their voice or singling out specific students

# data[].attributes.subject
Classroom management sets the course for the day and lessons and allows the teacher to precede without having to remind students daily of small bad behaviors. Without it the class would be chaotic and not orderly. I think one technique that is very useful to classroom management is songs or callbacks the teacher can use to redirect students focus without raising their voice or singling out specific students

# data[].attributes.body
Haley Boulter

# data[].attributes.body
Classroom management is a big deal when it comes to keeping students organized, orderly, focused, attentive, on task, and academically productive. If the students know a teachers rules that are in relation to what is listed above then it decreases behaviors to come. It is always important for a teacher to remind the students what is expected of them.
https://www.edglossary.org/classroom-management/
Mckinley Matheson

# data[].attributes.body
By reviewing your rules every morning the beginning of class, it sets your expectations clear. Even if you spend a few weeks doing this, it will help your classroom management in the long run as kids will know exactly what is to be expected of them so less time wasted and more time learning. If the class is starting to get out of hand throughout the year you can always revisit them.

Dani Heaton

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
How often do you revisit classroom rules? Most teachers establish rules at the beginning of the year, and many devote time to modeling and practicing rules with students in the first weeks of school. After that, however, the amount of time spent thinking about what rules mean and how to live by them often drops off dramatically.

Students cannot possibly learn all they need to know about how to live and behave as a community during the first weeks of school. As the year goes on, the time students spend together deepens their understanding of how to truly care for each other and the classroom. That's why it's important to keep discussing and practicing the rules all year long. Useful times to review the rules include:

A couple months into the school year (after routines are well established and students are coming together as a community)

When a new student joins the class

After a long holiday break

Whenever students are struggling to meet behavior expectations

Be on the lookout for new and different ways to revisit the rules. One simple yet powerful activity is to have students write or make drawings about people following classroom rules. This assignment prompts reflective thinking and helps both younger and older students develop positive, concrete images of what it looks and sounds like to be part of a community and follow that community's rules. The video below shows first grade teacher Courtney Fox getting her students started on this activity. She gathers the class as a group and asks them to think about ways they might follow each of their classroom rules. After a brief discussion and sharing some examples, the students follow up by drawing themselves doing what they imagined.

You could also create a "looks like/sounds like/feels like" chart (also called a Y-chart) with students. This activity helps students envision the positive benefits of changing their behavior, and it heightens their understanding by allowing them to reflect on concrete ways to live out their classroom rules. Once created, the chart serves as a visual reminder and can be referred to in future conversations. The video below shows teacher Suzy Ghosh having such a conversation with her third graders. She uses a Y-chart to help her class explore how it will look, sound, and feel to follow their classroom rules in the lunchroom. By the end of the conversation, the students have a strong, positive vision of lunchroom behavior and expectations.

January is a great time to give these strategies a try because they refocus students' attention on a positive classroom community after the holiday break and help them (and you) get off to a positive start in the new year. Keeping the rules ever-present in students' minds gives you the ability to ask "What do our rules say about..." when challenging situations arise. Students will be able to see what they're doing well, what they can improve on, and what changes might help them better succeed.
Learn more about these and other strategies for teaching positive behavior:
Responsive Classroom for Music, Art, PE, and Other Special Areas

Tags: Classroom Rules, Revisiting Rules

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Revisiting Classroom Rules | Responsive Classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
How often do you revisit classroom rules? Most teachers establish rules at the beginning of the year, and many devote time to modeling and practicing rules with students in the first weeks of school. After that, however, the amount of time spent thinking about what rules mean and how to live by them often drops off dramatically.

# data[].attributes.body
Post a daily agenda where students can easily see it. This helps establish routines in the classroom. Also, students will have clear objectives and will always be aware of what is coming next.  Having an agenda posted can set clear schedules and may eliminate many questions that can waste valuable instruction time. http://teachingonpurpose.org/journal/daily-agendas-the-key-to-organizing-the-classroom/
Kristin Fisher

# data[].attributes.body
Creating strong healthy student-teacher relationships will not only make them feel more comfortable in your classroom, but they will appreciate the fact that you take interest in their well-being.  You can then build from there to have consistency and allow each students voice to be heard as well as instilling rules and sets of responsibilities that are to be expected from them. https://www.edutopia.org/article/5-principles-outstanding-classroom-management
Shannon Alexander

# data[].attributes.body
What is one technique or useful tool you would implement into your classroom to improve your classroom management?