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Also known as Guided Math, the Math Workshop model combines direct instruction with hands-on and student-centered learning opportunities. The workshop begins with a mini-lesson delivered by the teacher, followed by a large block of time devoted to small group learning. It ends with a brief closure activity, or summary.

The goal of the Math Workshop model is to promote differentiation, engagement, and collaborative learning, but the many moving parts and high levels of student autonomy can be intimidating for teachers who may only be vaguely familiar with the term from teacher blogs and Pinterest (i.e. me during that interview).

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It was a "deer-in-headlights" moment for sure-my first job interview in a new state, and I was trying to keep my composure as I fumbled through my interviewer's opening question.

"So, tell me what you know about the Math Workshop?"

Also known as Guided Math, the Math Workshop model combines direct instruction with hands-on and student-centered learning opportunities. The workshop begins with a mini-lesson delivered by the teacher, followed by a large block of time devoted to small group learning. It ends with a brief closure activity, or summary.

The goal of the Math Workshop model is to promote differentiation, engagement, and collaborative learning, but the many moving parts and high levels of student autonomy can be intimidating for teachers who may only be vaguely familiar with the term from teacher blogs and Pinterest (i.e. me during that interview).

From someone who has gone from novice to veteran, here are a few ways to integrate the Math Workshop model into your own elementary school classroom.

Set the Scene in the Classroom

If you were to step into my classroom during a workshop, you would first see a set of objectives posted on the board. Example? "I can compare two fractions with like numerators by visualizing their size."

On a large rug at the front of my room sits four rows of third graders with small whiteboards and dry-erase markers on their laps. I wander back and forth from my place at the document camera to the whiteboard, and to a set of nearby manipulatives, weaving between the students as the direct portion of my instruction is delivered.

Ten labeled baskets line the walls, filled with all the materials needed for each of this week's stations. Two large tables sit on the other side of the room, as do clusters of desks, each with a different colored piece of construction paper dangling overhead. Canvassing the walls are anchor charts of math strategies and workshop procedures developed by the students and me throughout the year.

Step 1: the Activator

After setting the purpose for the lesson using our objective, we start with a brief activator or warm-up. Some days we begin by posing a problem or introducing new vocabulary with Total Physical Response (TPR), which reinforces memory by associating words with physical activity. Other days, I start with a short, math-related question read aloud or written out. (Can you tell this part is my favorite?) After sharing a few ideas as a class, the mini-lesson officially begins.

Step 2: the Mini-Lesson

The second stop on the Math Workshop train is the mini-lesson: a concise, targeted lesson lasting only 15-20 minutes, centered around a single objective.

I usually start that day's content by modeling an example problem, walking through an anchor chart with students, or showing a video. Students are then given the opportunity to practice as a group or with a partner, and complete a problem or two on their own. Sometimes, the learning objective is met in a single lesson; other times, it takes two or three days to complete. The goal is to keep it brief, though.

As the mini-lesson wraps up, I give my students a quick formative assessment (usually in the form of a multiple choice question we call an "Exit Ticket") to see how close we've come to hitting our learning target. Think of it as a ticket to the next stop on our Math Workshop journey: math stations.

Step 3: Math Stations

The math stations, or rotations, are where the Math Workshop magic happens. The bulk of student learning takes place during this time, lasting anywhere from 30-45 minutes. It's also what will make or break the experience with the workshop model. My advice? Develop clear procedures for everything and practice, practice, practice.

Each station should target a past or current objective and may integrate literacy or STEM skills, as well. Students should be grouped heterogeneously after considering their academic needs, literacy levels, and the ever-shifting politics of our third grade classroom. (You feel me, teachers?)

After that, the keys to keeping students engaged and on-task are in the tasks themselves. In our classroom, we rotate between only a dozen or so different activities, all of which were pre-taught early in the year. Simple games like Memory, Bump, or Tic-Tac-Toe are perfect for skills and fact practice. Formative assessments might include task cards, a problem solving worksheet, or an assignment from one of our favorite online math programs. Literacy integration occurs through reading and responding to a math-related text, error analysis, or a collaborative writing task.

Step 4: Small Groups

So what about those "Exit Tickets" from earlier, you may ask? As students dive into their stations, I begin to address their errors and misconceptions from the mini-lesson by remediating through small group instruction at my table. (I recommend pulling no more than 3-4 students at a time.) The instruction is informal, student-centered, and lasts only five minutes so they can return to their stations promptly.

The "Teacher Table," as we call it, is a revolving door of small groups and one-on-one conferences. We may correct errors from a previous assignment, set goals for upcoming tests, or do an extension activity with those already demonstrating mastery of a skill. Students are grouped homogeneously according to needs or strengths, as opposed to their mixed-ability math stations.

Step 5: Closure

As stations come to a close, I typically chime a bell to signal a two-minute warning. Captains rally their groups to finish and return materials to their respective baskets. Completed work is turned into a drawer, while incomplete work is filed into a folder to finish at a later time. Two minutes later, students are seated quietly at their desks, attention turned toward the front of the room.

The closure, known at my school as a "summarizer," is a quick "wrap-up" of the day's lesson. The teacher might show students exemplary work to evaluate and discuss, or the class might review the new vocabulary from earlier in the day. Students might complete a quick write or "turn and talk" to a partner about what they learned.

Here is where the final word of the lesson is spoken: a short, five minute conclusion to the day's workshop, and a chance to remind students of the mini-lesson's original goal.

A Work(shop) in Progress

As I wrap up my second school year using the Math Workshop, I'm amazed by how far student achievement has come in my class. Not only are my students more enthusiastic about math, but I feel a sense of accomplishment knowing that every class is geared directly toward students' academic needs. Planning and implementing the math workshop for teachers and studentshas become much simpler and more intuitive since I first began. Truth be told, I really enjoy it!

But it hasn't been all pattern blocks and rainbows. Developing procedures that hold students accountable for their work, designing rigorous station activities, and keeping track of (so, so many) materials takes a lot of time and effort. I am constantly tweaking it and developing new ideas to improve my practice next year. Despite all the challenges, I can confidently say I will never go back to my former, pre-workshop ways.

Using the Math Workshop already? Share your best tips with the class! Curious about the Math Workshop but not sure where to start? Post your questions in the comments section below.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of American College of Education.

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How Elementary Teachers Can Implement the Math Workshop in the Classroom

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It was a "deer-in-headlights" moment for sure-my first job interview in a new state, and I was trying to keep my composure as I fumbled through my interviewer's opening question. "So, tell me what you know about the Math Workshop?" Also known as Guided Math, the Math Workshop model combines direct instruction with hands-on and student-centered learning opportunities.

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Restorative practices that build positive school climate and healthy relationships depend on the foundation provided by SEL: students’ abilities to take other’s perspectives, be aware of their own thoughts and feelings, communicate effectively, and solve problems.

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Did you know that a significant percentage of the achievement gap between students of color and white students is caused by punitive discipline? African American and Latino children are much more likely to face school suspension and expulsion-even for the same behaviors-than white students.

As a response to this inequitable school model of punitive discipline measures, restorative practices are growing in schools across the nation.

I asked Brian H. Smith, Ph.D., a research scientist with the Committee for Children, to share his perspectives on the current status and future directions of discipline in schools.

EDUTOPIA: What is the current status of the discipline system and such practices as zero tolerance?

DR. BRIAN SMITH: Suspension and expulsion disrupt students' learning and erode their connection to school. More than that, however, recent research conducted by sociologists Brea Perry and Edward Morris shows that exclusionary discipline also harms the "academic achievement of non-suspended students" ( American Sociological Review, December 2014, vol. 79, no. 6, 1067-1087).

Suspension rates increased dramatically in the 1990s as schools embraced zero-tolerance discipline policies. But these are approaches that criminalize misbehavior without reducing it. This kind of punitive discipline is a failed strategy that harms the education of millions of students, especially the most disadvantaged.

EDUTOPIA: Why do you think these practices persist?

DR. BRIAN SMITH: Part of the value of research is it helps us question and test things that seem obvious but might not be true. Removing students when they are struggling to behave can appear successful because students don't cause difficulties in school if they're not there. But this new research clearly shows the longer-term negative effects of this punitive approach, particularly on students of color who particularly need strong connections to school and who often face multiple challenges to school success.

EDUTOPIA: There has been a growing emphasis recently on preventive and restorative approaches. What are they and how do they work best?

DR. BRIAN SMITH: We've only recently begun to understand how childhood stress and adversity powerfully affect development and impair students' ability to behave and learn in school. We also increasingly understand the importance for all children, especially those who struggle, of having supportive school environments where they feel accepted. Research shows it is effective to provide clear expectations for behavior, teach skills needed to succeed in the school environment, and respond to problems with strategies to strengthen connections and relationships, rather than push students away.

Schools seeking to create a positive school community and respond in an effective way when problems do arise are increasingly turning to restorative practices. According to the International Institute for Restorative Practices, "The aim of restorative practices is to develop community and to manage conflict and tensions by repairing harm and building relationships."

Restorative practices strengthen students' connections to both staff and other students, and that's why restorative practices support both prevention and response. Focusing on positive connections and support contributes to a positive school climate. Repairing harm and restoring relationships after transgressions helps keep students connected to a positive school community.

EDUTOPIA: How do these practices relate to social-emotional and character development?

DR. BRIAN SMITH: These approaches fulfill two key character education principles: providing students with opportunities for moral action and creating a caring school community.

Clear expectations, fair consequences, and restorative conversations and agreements only work when students have self-regulation, emotion knowledge, and social skills-competencies taught through social-emotional learning (SEL). Social-emotional competence prepares and supports all children for the intellectual and interpersonal challenges of the formal school environment.

Restorative practices that build positive school climate and healthy relationships depend on the foundation provided by SEL: students' abilities to take other's perspectives, be aware of their own thoughts and feelings, communicate effectively, and solve problems.

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Why Restorative Practices Benefit All Students | Edutopia

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Did you know that a significant percentage of the achievement gap between students of color and white students is caused by punitive discipline? African American and Latino children are much more likely to face school suspension and expulsion-even for the same behaviors-than white students.

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While every configuration has its merits (and a million variations), it’s most likely that you’ll have to combine a few different arrangements to make your classroom fit each student’s learning style. You could have four students that work really well together in one area as a four-square, then a larger horseshoe in one-half of the desk area for a number of students who need a teacher’s watchful eye to help them stay on task. Clusters of two could be arranged for the rest of the students in various sections, leaving space for everyone to move about the classroom with ease.

You could also arrange stations around the classroom in which students move from station to station, depending on the work they are doing at that moment. In this scenario, students might not have a permanent desk but instead move around freely to a “science area”, then an “English area”, and so on. This would, of course, have to fit your teaching style, as well.

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Education looks very different today then it did 100, 50 and even 10 years ago. The days of quiet classrooms, full of students in tidy rows, sitting at attention while the teacher lectured at the blackboard have been replaced with more collaborative styles involving a multitude of teaching methods. If you walk into a classroom today, you'll likely see desks and tables in all sorts of arrangements. Children might be gathered into small groups, sitting at various stations around the classroom, working on projects together. The teacher is no longer the main focal point of the room and instead works more as a mentor and guide.

Many teachers have experimented with various desk arrangements to enhance collaboration and you can find all kinds of diagrams for those online. Studies show that most children learn best in a collaborative environment, so educators are working hard to test out different scenarios and styles to find that "sweet spot" that delivers the highest quality of learning.

Of course, it's important to remember that not all children learn in the same way and that group dynamics have a profound affect on the classroom flow. Each class has its own "personality" and you'll need to take ideas and tweak them to fit each individual class every year. What works one year may be a total disaster the next year. The important thing is to have a number of tried and true tactics in your teaching tool belt that you can pull out and use when you need it.

As a teacher, you know it's important to be flexible and to know how to roll with the punches. So what are these collaborative desk arrangements that you should try out? We're glad you asked. Here are a few different plans to put into your collaborative learning ideas collection.

#1 Four-Square

This is probably one of the most basic collaborative desk arrangement ideas. You simply take four student desks and face them inward, forming a rectangle. Students can see each other, easily discuss class topics, and share the center space for collaborative projects.

Source: sunsandsecondgrade.blogspot.com

#2 Four Plus One

A variation on the arrangement style above, simply add another desk onto one of the ends of the pod, totaling five desks per group. This is a great plan if you're short on room and need to add in another student per group. You might also be able to add another desk to the other end, increasing the group to six. This could potentially be too large of a group, however, and lead to less collaborative ability and a louder classroom as students increase their volume to hear each other across the desks.

Source: 3rdgradethoughts.com

#3 Tables

Another group collaboration-promoting strategy is to do away with the desks and simply replace them with tables. This does eliminate the desk cubbies, which you'll need to find a replacement for. However, the tables feel more cohesive and "shared" which pulls students together even more. Desks are often uneven due to their adjustable height, which makes the collaborative workspace a little impractical. A table solves this issue easily.

Source: desklayoutideas.blogspot.com

#4 Pairs

This arrangement works well when your typical desk layout is in standard rows. Simply have the desk in front turn around to face the desk behind. You can also just generally have desks arranged in this way if your students often participate in paired-off collaborative learning. This is a great strategy for two-student projects or classroom discussions, especially those that might lead to some kind of presentation.

Another variation on this is to place two desks side-by-side, then arranged in the typical row pattern or another variation. This allows all students to face the front of the classroom while still having a permanent partner for any collaborative learning that might take place.

#5 Horseshoe

You can fit more students into a group if you arrange desks into a horseshoe shape. This is an excellent configuration for discussion groups and seminar-style learning. It would especially work well for older students. Some tables are built in this horseshoe or U-shaped arrangement, which might be worth looking into purchasing if you are committed to the style of learning that this layout promotes.

#6 Group Circles or U-Shape

Another possibility for larger groups is to arrange desks into circles of six or eight. This configuration is excellent for group discussions and projects that involve a larger number of students. It also cleans up the "pods" potentially leaving more room for moving about the classroom.

#7 Mix it Up

While every configuration has its merits (and a million variations), it's most likely that you'll have to combine a few different arrangements to make your classroom fit each student's learning style. You could have four students that work really well together in one area as a four-square, then a larger horseshoe in one-half of the desk area for a number of students who need a teacher's watchful eye to help them stay on task. Clusters of two could be arranged for the rest of the students in various sections, leaving space for everyone to move about the classroom with ease.

You could also arrange stations around the classroom in which students move from station to station, depending on the work they are doing at that moment. In this scenario, students might not have a permanent desk but instead move around freely to a "science area", then an "English area", and so on. This would, of course, have to fit your teaching style, as well.

Source: teachingmyfriends.blogspot.co.uk

There are a number of ways to teach and new ideas are hatched nearly every single day. Teachers have access to plenty of creative options when it comes to their style of instruction, and a whole host of research studies to comb through for the science behind it all. Arranging desks to support collaborative learning can be a fun and challenging experience that depends on a teacher's preference and stylistic interests. These desk configuration ideas are a launching point for customization and creating your own special arrangements that work perfectly for your classroom. After all, the relationship between teacher and student is more of a dance, requiring everyone to become better communicators and collaborators.

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The 21st Century Classroom: 7 Ways to Arrange Collaborative Desks

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Education looks very different today then it did 100, 50 and even 10 years ago. The days of quiet classrooms, full of students in tidy rows, sitting at attention while the teacher lectured at the blackboard have been replaced with more collaborative styles involving a multitude of teaching methods.

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My hope is that this read-aloud book will help teachers strengthen the bond they have with their students, and that their students have with each other. The issue of children’s mental health is more important than it’s possibly ever been, and so my other major hope for the book is that it might help more kids feel a sense of belonging at school

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Our Class is a Family is a read-aloud to help build a community in your classroom.
Click here to order now!

Teachers do so much more than teach academics. Social emotional learning is arguably even more important than academic education, because success in the latter depends on the former. Kids learn best in an environment where they feel safe, loved, and accepted.

As we know, this sense of classroom community doesn't magically happen on its own. It's not as though it's instantly there when kids show up in those seats on the first day of school. The teacher is the one who sets the tone and starts laying the bricks for that foundation that last until the end of the school year.

Starting a Community on Day 1

One of the main bricks I like to put down from the very beginning is to tell the kids that our class is a family. The word "family" is written on the postcards I send at the beginning of the year, and also the little keychains I give them on the first day of school to put on their backpacks.

We talk about how they have their own families at home, of course, but that at school we are another special type of family. Families care about each other, support one another, and have fun together! They also make mistakes together and help each other grow. I tell them that even though we're not related, we do get to spend a lot of time together, and so we want our classroom to be like a home away from home.

Using a Read-Aloud Book to Build a Community

When introducing any new theme or idea to your class, a read-aloud is always a good go-to. If you're starting a new unit on animals, for example, you might choose a favorite animal picture book and read it to the class to help get them in the right mindset.

So when introducing the concept of class community, it makes a lot of sense to have a read-aloud too. That was my inspiration behind writing the book Our Class is a Family.

My hope is that this read-aloud book will help teachers strengthen the bond they have with their students, and that their students have with each other. The issue of children's mental health is more important than it's possibly ever been, and so my other major hope for the book is that it might help more kids feel a sense of belonging at school.

The beginning starts out by connecting to kids' prior knowledge about what a family is.

The next couple of pages go on to explain that family doesn't always mean relatives. This also happens to be one of my favorite illustrations. I envisioned bright, colorful pictures to go with the words, and the talented Sandie Sonke couldn't have captured that vision any better.

Creating a Family of Learners

The pages that follow go into more detail about what it means to be a family of learners. Several aspects are touched upon, such as embracing similarities and differences, being a good friend, and having a growth mindset. I won't share the whole book, but given the current global situation, I did want to go ahead and share some insight about specific parts that focus on the actual classroom itself as a place.

Fostering Class Community while Distance Learning

On account of COVID-19, a lot changed from the time this book was written to the time it was published. The phrase "class family" took on a whole new meaning during distance learning.

I read the book with my own students over Zoom video conferencing at the end of the 2019-2020 year. We had a discussion about how home (and a classroom) is not just a place, but a feeling. Even when you are not actually in the same room as your family, you're still a family.

I conveyed to my class that social distancing was just one extreme type of "weather" we were all going through, but that didn't change the fact that we were still there for each other.

Whether you are starting the new school year virtually or in person, your kids can know that your class is a family either way. Even if you have to communicate through a video screen or from 6 feet apart, you will still stick together.

Making a Class Family Album

Whether you're doing virtual learning or are back in the classroom, an extension activity is always a great way for students to reflect on the book and make further connections. One idea is for your students to create their own Class Family Album! There are both printable and digital options for this, and ways for it to be utilized throughout the year as a writing center.

This book companion can be found here in my shop or on Teachers Pay Teachers, and you can read more details about it in this blog post.

If you are a dual language teacher, there is also a version of the book (and the Class Family Album resource) in Spanish and French!

Click below for the translated read-aloud book and resources:
Our Class is a Family book in Spanish Class Family Album resource in Spanish Our Class is a Family book in French Class Family Album resource in French
Class Family Bookmarks

After reading aloud the book to your students, you might also choose to tie it in with back to school or end of the year student gifts. These bookmarks are super easy to print, copy, cut, and give out to your class family.

You can grab them here in my shop or in my TPT store. Or if you'd like a FREE download of these bookmarks, you can join my email list and they'll be sent right to your inbox! The bookmarks are available in Spanish and French too.

Virtual Author Visits

And in case you might be interested in a special experience for your students after reading the book, I'm excited to announce that I'm now offering virtual author visits! I LOVE getting to meet with classes to help encourage class community and to talk all about the writing and publishing process. You can get all the info and book a visit for your class or school right here on my website.

Ordering the Book

Wondering where you can get the actual book itself? If you'd like to make Our Class is a Family an addition to your classroom library (or maybe want to gift it to a special teacher), you can get the best deal on paperbacks and hardcovers by ordering directly through my website. Get extra savings on bulk orders, and shipping is free! Click here to order on my site. The book is also available on Amazon.

You might also like to check out my brand new book, A Letter From Your Teacher: On the First Day of School! While Our Class is a Family focuses on class community as a whole, this one zeroes in on the special connection between teacher and student.

Teaching with Love

Parents say it takes a village to help raise a child, and teachers are among the chiefs in that village. Sure, we teach kids how to read and write, but we are also coaches, counselors, and behavior management specialists- just to name a few of the roles not explicitly spelled out in the job description.

When it comes down to it though, the most important job we have is to make our students feel loved. Over the course of a regular school year, children spend more time with their teacher and peers than they do their own parents and siblings. From one teacher to another, thank you for all the hard work you do to build those relationships and make the most of that time.

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Our Class is a Family Read-Aloud for Building Classroom Community - Life Between Summers

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Teachers do so much more than teach academics. Social emotional learning is arguably even more important than academic education, because success in the latter depends on the former. Kids learn best in an environment where they feel safe, loved, and accepted. As we know, this sense of classroom community doesn't magically happen on its own.

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Motivation: Have positive Post-It notes waiting on each desk before a test

Sequence It: Stickies make great flow maps

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Amazing Post-It Note Activities For Your Classroom

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Spread the loveOver the last decade, it seems that educators have fallen in love with edtech, especially technologies that make their jobs easier. However, if we use technologically in an omnipresent way, students will never appreciate the beauty of using seemingly common items to facilitate the teaching and learning process.

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Create a list of desired behaviors so the class knows exactly how to earn a number, catch positive behaviors throughout the day, "Behavior Bingo!" --> class earned the number!

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Encourage positive behavior with "Behavior Bingo," a simple, fun and effective classroom management strategy!

Check out these other behavior management packs...

Group Behavior Game Boards includes 12 monthly game boards to encourage teamwork!

Flipping for Good Behavior includes 10 monthly rewards, as well as 12 anytime rewards. Begin with the letters flipped upside down. The class will earn a letter each time they make good choices. Once all of the letters have been turned right side up, they earn the reward that is revealed!

Thank you for visiting my store! If you purchase this product, please remember to leave feedback so you can earn your free TpT credits, which are redeemable on future purchases!

Don't forget to follow my store for updates and fun FREEBIES!

Enjoy and happy teaching!

Stay connected! Visit my blog, Facebook page, and Instagram account!

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Behavior Bingo FREEBIE {Classroom Management}

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Encourage positive behavior with "Behavior Bingo," a simple, fun and effective classroom management strategy! Check out these other behavior management packs... Group Behavior Game Boards includes 12 monthly game boards to encourage teamwork! Flipping for Good Behavior includes 10 monthly rewards...

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Card System:

To keep track of the whereabouts of my littles and to let the students know if the bathroom is “available,” I created a card system. Each of my students is assigned a number (I use this numbering system for everything). I print out a set of cards, laminate for durability and punch a hole in the top. I sort my number cards into boy numbers and girl numbers and put them in numerical order. Next, I add a colorful cover and attach them all together with a metal ring. These cards hang on the wall. From a glance the students can see if someone is already in the bathroom or if they can go. They request to use the bathroom using a hand signal, which I will go into more detail on below. The student then goes over to the cards and flips it to the correct number. This allows me to easily see who is out of the classroom which is especially handy if you have an aide or a student teacher or any other adult who may send a child to the bathroom without you knowing.

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HOW TO MANAGE STUDENT BATHROOM BREAKS at SCHOOL

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By having consistent and predictable routines, your classroom will run itself... Right? Unfortunately, not everything is predictable. Like when a kid needs to use the bathroom. It's going to come up all day everyday. While you can't control the wee little bladders of kids who have sucked down too much Capri Sun at lunch, having ...

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Freeze Dance – This game is like freeze tag, and musical chairs rolled into a single fun game! Turn on the music and have kids dance around the room. When you turn the music off, kids must freeze in whatever dance move they were doing. Anyone who moves in the silence is out. Continue playing until there is a winner.

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Try these fun brain break ideas to help active kids stay focused and learn at their best like yoga, Go Noodle, and printable cards.

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*Great for the younger kiddos

This cute set of mini-posters illustrates the age-old "Give Me Five" behavior management trick. When making visual reminders like this, I think that for them to be effective, it's important to have graphics that really show he kids what the expectations are. I couldn't find any clipart that matched the "Give Me Five" actions, so I tried my hand at making my own. They're not that fancy, but I think they'll get the job done. You can grab a set if you think you can use them in your classroom this year. Enjoy!

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This cute set of mini-posters illustrates the age-old "Give Me Five" behavior management trick. When making visual reminders like this, I think that for them to be effective, it's important to have graphics that really show he kids what the expectations are. I couldn't find any clipart that matched the "Give Me Five" actions, so I tried my hand at making my own. They're not that fancy, but I think they'll get the job done. You can grab a set if you think you can use them in your classroom this year. Enjoy!

You can expand the Give Me Five routine with my Give Me Five Companion Pack

If you like the clipart used for these posters, you might like the following items with the same cute kids:

Classroom Rules Poster

Update 8/19/12 - Both English and Spanish versions are included!

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Classroom Management - Give Me Five Mini-Posters

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This cute set of mini-posters illustrates the age-old "Give Me Five" behavior management trick. When making visual reminders like this, I think that for them to be effective, it's important to have graphics that really show he kids what the expectations are. I couldn't find any clipart that matched ...

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Desk Placement

In many classrooms, the largest amount of space is devoted to the arrangement of individual student desks. Teachers vary greatly on their preferred arrangements, but most agree that the days of 30 desks lined in neat rows and facing the teacher's desk up front are long gone. Instead, some teachers like to arrange desks in cooperative groups of four, while many others prefer a U-shaped configuration, where everyone has a front row seat.

"Arrange the room so that you can make eye contact with every student and reach each student with ease," suggests sixth-grade teacher Jane Baird.

But no matter how you arrange desks, don't be afraid to make changes.

"Set your room up, and at the end of each unit or each month, evaluate and make changes," advises fifth grade teacher Laurie Borger. "Move the students' desks on a regular basis so all children learn to cooperate with all children."

Second-grade teacher Pamela Shannon agrees: "Don't be afraid to make seat and desk changes if the arrangement doesn't work. You are in charge."

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Every teacher knows that an incredible amount of material accumulates during the school year, and classrooms can quickly become unmanageable.

So how can you feel confident and in control of your space from the first day of school to the last? By organizing your classroom in a way that keeps clutter to a minimum and helps your students function independently. Below, veteran teacher Sharon Taylor shares her best tips on classroom organization.

Don't let crayons, glue, and pencils take over your classroom! Instead of requiring each student to bring individual supplies, ask parents to contribute to the community collection if it's possible for them. You can also raise funds for your classroom with a ClassroomsCount™ campaign.

By doing this, you eliminate the need to track which items belong to which students. Store frequently used items in shower caddies at each table for students to share. This will help them learn to take turns and collaborate!

At the beginning of the school year, invest in Scholastic tubs, bins, baskets, and small storage boxes-or get creative and use empty coffee cans, jugs, and baby wipe containers. These will work great for storing manipulatives. Make sure frequently used items are easy to access and clearly labeled with words and pictures. Rarely used materials can be stored out of the way and only pulled out when necessary.

Instead of file folders, try using binders to store lessons and activities. You can organize binders for various monthly themes and topics and can even store small craft samples. Shoebox-sized plastic boxes are ideal for storing larger craft samples. It will take extra work to organize your binders the first year you use them, but by the next school year, you'll be ready to go with minimal effort.

This is a big timesaver for teachers! Before the week begins, set aside all the materials you will need for each day of the week. In your work area, keep a set of baskets labeled by day and store the materials you need in the appropriate bin. At the end of the week, clear out and re-file any remaining materials, and you'll be ready for next Monday by end-of-day Friday.

To have a successful reading program, you need a successful classroom library. The books should be easily accessible and organized so that students spend less time digging around and more time reading.

First, you need to decide how you want to organize your books. Many teachers keep their libraries in book bins that are organized by genre, topic, and level. However you decide to organize your books, make sure the book bins are clearly labeled.

Finally, Taylor has the ultimate tool to keep your classroom library organized: clothespins! Put each child's name on a clothespin and keep them in a basket near the books. When a student picks out a book to read, they should leave their clothespin on the book bin. When they are done reading, if they forgot where the book belongs, they simply look for where they left their clothespin to return the book to the proper bin.

Shop classroom tools for organization below! You can find all supplies, books, and activities at The Teacher Store, where educators get at least 25% off the list price.

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Tips for Organizing Your Classroom at the Beginning of the School Year | Scholastic

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Maximize your classroom in the new school year with first-rate classroom organization.

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THE Classroom Management Book [Harry K. Wong, Rosemary T. Wong, Sarah F. Jondahl, Oretha F. Ferguson, N/A, N/A] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. THE Classroom Management Book

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Use Popsicle Sticks at any point in the lesson to increase engagement of all students and to show you value each person in the classroom. Use the sticks to:

Ask interest questions before introducing new material to tap into prior knowledge

Randomly call on students to gauge understanding during or after a lesson

Assign groups or tasks

Decide who will receive a special privilege

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10 Easy Classroom Management Hacks | That Teacher Life Ep 47

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Begin by telling the kids that you are going to put them in groups to play a dice game.

Put the kids in groups and give them 2 dice.

The kids will be eagerly waiting the directions. (There aren’t any.)

You then tell them to begin playing. At this point they will give you strange looks like,
“Huh? What? How?”

You just smile and tell them again to begin playing.

Some groups will be going pretty well with everyone getting along. Others are already disagreeing on what to do and how.

You just smile and keep walking around. They’ll get so frustrated and want your input, but you just smile and tell them to keep
playing. They look at you pretty strangely at this point. It’s great!

Just when they are really getting into their game, you go around and change their rules. They look at you like, “What?” You tell
them, “Those are the rules. You didn’t know?”

Of course don’t let the class get to the point where they want to start throwing things at you. Ha! You’ll know when to stop them.

I then have a class discussion about how they felt when I told them to play and didn’t give them any directions. Responses are
charted.

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Back To School Rules Game: Establishing Classroom Management

Establishing rules is the single most important thing you do at the beginning of the school year. This is a game that does just that.

Playing a game with "no rules" sets the stage for establishing rules in your classroom. This is a great compliment to any classroom management system.

Students will discover that knowing rules and expectations from the start will set them up for success!

Enjoy this FREEBIE.

I've included background information, directions, and a student recording sheet with this lesson.

This game needs dice, but a deck of cards works well too. :)

~Teaching 4 Real

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Back To School Rules Game: Establishing Classroom Management Establishing rules is the single most important thing you do at the beginning of the school year. This is a game that does just that. Playing a game with "no rules" sets the stage for establishing rules in your classroom. This is a grea...

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Offer praise

Praise students for jobs well done, as doing so improves academic and behavioral performance, according to a recent research review and study.

When it is sincere and references specific examples of effort or accomplishment, praise can:

Inspire the class

Improve a student’s self-esteem

Reinforce rules and values you want to see

Perhaps more importantly, it encourages students to repeat positive behavior. Let’s say a student exemplifies advanced problem-solving skills when tackling a math word problem. Praising his or her use of specific tactics should go a long way in ensuring he or she continues to use these tactics. Not to mention, you’ll motivate other students to do the same

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Paper airplanes fly across the room. Students race between desks. You can't get a word in, as they yell over you.

Disruptive behavior doesn't have to be this dramatic, like a movie scene you'd watch in a media literacy lesson, but poor classroom management will almost assuredly elevate your stress and burnout rates.

Unfortunately, a 2019 report indicates that teachers overwhelmingly report a lack of professional development support in improving classroom management. Despite this unideal situation, there are straightforward and effective classroom management approaches you can implement by yourself. These approaches can enhance prosocial student behavior and academic engagement, establishing an orderly learning environment.

Available as a downloadable list to keep at your desk, below are 20 research-backed classroom management strategies and techniques.

Use the ones that best appeal to your situation and teaching style.

Universal classroom management strategies for educators

These 20 classroom management techniques have shown to improve classroom behavior, build relationships for a better classroom community, and foster a positive classroom environment where student learning is the number one collective goal.

Try these effective classroom management strategies with your students to become a happier, more effective teacher.

1. Model ideal behavior

Make a habit of demonstrating behavior you want to see, as many studies show that modelling effectively teaches students how to act in different situations.

A straightforward way to model certain behaviors is holding a mock conversation with an administrator, other teacher or student helper in front of the class. Talking about a test or other relatable topic, be sure to:

Use polite language

Maintain eye contact

Keep phones in your pockets

Let one another speak uninterrupted

Raise concerns about one another's statements in a respectful manner

After, start a class discussion to list and expand upon the ideal behaviors you exemplified.

2. Let students help establish guidelines

Encourage all students to help you build classroom expectations and rules, as you'll generate more buy-in than just telling them what they're not allowed to do.

This is especially essential for new teachers. Near the start of the school year or during the first day of a semester, start a discussion by asking students what they believe should and shouldn't fly in terms of appropriate behavior.

At what points are phones okay and not okay? What are acceptable noise levels during lessons?

This may seem like you're setting yourself up for failure, but -- depending on the makeup of your class -- you may be shocked at the strictness of some proposed rules. Regardless, having a discussion should lead to mutually-understood and -respected expectations for your classroom culture.

3. Document rules
Don't let your mutually-respected guidelines go forgotten.
Similar to handing out a syllabus, print and distribute the list of rules that the class discussion generated. Then, go through the list with your students. Doing this emphasizes the fact that you respect their ideas and intend to adhere to them. And when a student breaks a rule, it'll be easy for you to point to this document.

You'll likely want to post these rules up in your classroom - if you haven't already - for occasional reference. If you're feeling creative, you can include the rule list in a student handbook with important dates, events and curriculum information, too.

4. Avoid punishing the class

Address isolated discipline problems individually instead of punishing an entire class, as the latter can hurt your relationships with students who are on-task and thereby jeopardize other classroom management efforts.

Instead, call out specific students in a friendly manner. For example:

"Do you have a question?", not "Stop talking and disrupting other students"

"Do you need help focusing?", not "Pay attention and stop fooling around while I'm talking"

This basic approach will allow you to keep a friendly disposition, while immediately acknowledging inappropriate behavior.

5. Encourage initiative

Promote growth mindset, and inject variety into your lessons, by allowing students to work ahead and deliver short presentations to share take-away points. Almost inevitably, you'll have some eager learners in your classroom. You can simply ask them if they'd like to get ahead from time-to-time.

For example, if you're reading a specific chapter in a textbook, propose that they read the following one too. When they deliver their subsequent presentations to preview the next chapter on your behalf, you may find that other students want a bit more work as well.

6. Offer praise

Praise students for jobs well done, as doing so improves academic and behavioral performance, according to a recent research review and study.

When it is sincere and references specific examples of effort or accomplishment, praise can:

Inspire the class

Improve a student's self-esteem

Reinforce rules and values you want to see

Perhaps more importantly, it encourages students to repeat positive behavior. Let's say a student exemplifies advanced problem-solving skills when tackling a math word problem. Praising his or her use of specific tactics should go a long way in ensuring he or she continues to use these tactics. Not to mention, you'll motivate other students to do the same.

7. Use non-verbal communication

Complement words with actions and visual aids to improve content delivery, helping students focus and process lessons.

Many differentiated instruction strategies and techniques are rooted in these communication methods. For example, running learning stations -- divided sections of your classroom through which students rotate -- allows you to deliver a range of non-spoken content types. These include videos, infographics and physical objects such as counting coins.

8. Hold parties

Throw an occasional classroom party to acknowledge students' hard work, motivating them to keep it up.

Even if it's just for 20 or 30 minutes, they should be happy with snacks and a selection of group games to play. Clarify that you're holding the party to reward them and they can earn future parties by demonstrating ideal behavior, collectively scoring high on assessments and more.

9. Give tangible rewards

Reward specific students at the end of each lesson, in front of the class, as another motivational and behavior-reinforcement technique.

Let's say a few students are actively listening throughout the entire lesson, answering questions and asking their own. Before the class ends, walk over to their desks to give them raffle tickets. So others can learn, state aloud what each student did to earn the tickets. On Friday, they can submit their tickets for a shot at a prize that changes each week -- from candy to being able to choose a game for the next class party.

10. Make positive letters and phone calls

Keep students happy in and out of class by pleasantly surprising their parents, making positive phone calls and sending complimentary letters home.

When the occasion arises, from academic effort or behavioral progress, letting parents know has a trickle-down effect. They'll generally congratulate their kids; their kids will likely come to class eager to earn more positive feedback. This can also entice parents to grow more invested in a child's learning, opening the door to at-home lessons. Such lessons are a mainstay element of culturally-responsive teaching.

11. Build excitement for content and lesson plans

This one works well no matter the grade level: elementary school, middle school or high school. Start lessons by previewing particularly-exciting parts, hooking student interest from the get-go.

As the bell rings and students settle, go through an agenda of the day's highlights for the whole class. These could include group tasks, engaging bits of content and anything else to pique curiosity. For example, "Throughout the day, you'll learn about:"

How to talk like you're a teacher (sentence structure)

Why you don't know anyone who's won the lottery (probability)

What all the presidents of the United States have had in common (social analysis)

The goal of this classroom management technique is to immediately interest students in your agenda and thereby dissuade misbehavior.

Ready to make learning an exciting adventure?

Use Prodigy to boost classroom engagement and excitement with two captivating learning games for math and English!

12. Offer different types of free study time

Provide a range of activities during free study time to appeal to students who struggle to process content in silence, individually.

You can do this by dividing your class into clearly-sectioned solo and team activities. In separate sections, consider:

Providing audiobooks, which can play material relevant to your lessons

Maintaining a designated quiet space for students to take notes and complete work

Creating a station for challenging group games that teach or reinforce standards-aligned skills

Allowing students to work in groups while taking notes and completing work, away from quiet zones

By running these sorts of activities, free study time will begin to benefit diverse learners. This should contribute to overall classroom engagement.

13. Write group contracts

Help student group work run smoothly and effectively by writing contracts that contain guidelines, having everyone sign.

Group contracts should be based on expectations that students have for each other, and you have for them. You can gather the class's thoughts by holding a discussion about what the ideal group member does, and how he or she acts. Once you've written the contract, encourage students to come up with consequences for violating expectations.

By having them sign a fresh version of the contract before each group task and project, you're empowering them to hold each other accountable.

14. Assign open-ended projects

Encourage students to tackle open-ended projects -- projects that don't demand a specific product -- to allow them to demonstrate knowledge in ways that inherently suit them.

This starts by giving the class a list of broad project ideas, asking each student to choose one. Be sure to provide a rubric for each project that clearly defines expectations. By both enticing and challenging students, you should notice they'll:

Work and learn at their own paces

Engage actively with appropriate content

Demonstrate knowledge as effectively as possible

With these benefits, students may actually look forward to taking on new projects.

15. Give only two scores for informal assessments

Recall a time you saw a big "F" in red ink on your work. You were probably too upset to review mistakes and feedback, and so are your students when they see the same.
So, consider avoiding standard marks on informal and formative assessments.
Instead, just state if a student did or did not meet expectations. Then, provide struggling students with a clear path to improve. For example, pair classmates who didn't meet expectations with those who did, giving them a review and practice activity. When strugglers are confident they understand key concepts, encourage them to tell you. Provide a new assessment, allowing them to prove their competency.

Classroom management strategies for individual students

16. Use EdTech that adjusts to each student

Give students who struggle to process your content opportunities to try educational technology that adapts to their needs.

There are many games and platforms that use adaptive learning principles to detect a given student's skill deficits, serving them content to help overcome them.

For example, Prodigy Math adjusts its content to help students in grades 1 to 8 address their trouble spots. It also offers feedback to help them solve specific mistakes, as they answer questions that use words, charts, pictures and numbers.

The best bit? Teaching tools are all available at no cost to educators and schools.
See the student experience below!
Educators, access at no cost

17. Interview students

Interview students who aren't academically engaged or displaying prosocial behavior to learn how to better manage them.

While running learning stations or a large-group activity, pull each student aside for a few minutes. Ask about:

What helps them focus

Who they work well with

Their favorite types of lessons

Their favorite in-class activities

Which kinds of exercises help them remember key lesson points

Note their answers to come up with activities and approaches that engage them, thereby limiting classroom disruptions.

18. Address inappropriate or off-task behavior quickly

Avoid hesitation when you must address inappropriate or off-task behavior, especially when a student breaks a documented rule.

Acting sooner than later will help ensure that negative feelings -- whether between students or you and a student -- won't fester. Failure to act can result in more poor behavior, leading to needlessly-difficult conversations.

But keep in mind: It's usually best to talk to the student in private. Research shows that punishing students in front of peers has "limited value."

19. Consider peer teaching

Use peer teaching as a classroom management strategy if you feel your top performers can help engage and educate disruptive and struggling students.

Peer teaching activities, such as pairing students together as reading buddies, can be especially beneficial for students who suffer from low confidence and poor interpersonal skills.

Authoritative research states tutors improve self-esteem and interpersonal skills by giving feedback. Tutees realize benefits because they can ask questions and receive immediate clarification. A later study of at-risk students echoes these advantages. Although you should spend time teaching peer tutors how to properly communicate with tutees, you'll likely find the benefits are worth the work.

20. Gamify personal learning plans

Motivate students on personal learning plans by gamifying those plans, as studies - such as recent research from South Korea - indicate this will continuously engage and incentivize them.

Consider gamification strategies such as:

Adjusting your scoring system -- Give experience points (XP) -- along with traditional scores -- on tests and assignments, setting a goal for the student to reach a certain amount of XP per unit. For example, if a student scores 60% on a quiz, give him or her 6,000 XP. You can also award XP for completing extra assignments, participating in class or anything else that shows effort to learn.

Using stages -- Refer to topics and units as stages. The former terms have clear connotations for you, but students may not see how they fit together. If they're gamers, they'll understand that reaching the next stage requires overcoming precursory challenges. Emphasize this by framing certain tasks as prerequisites to reach the next learning stage.

If these strategies work especially well for individual students, you should see similar success by using them as class-wide student management techniques.

Classroom management strategy FAQs

What is the best classroom management style?

According to Diana Baumrind's work, a clinical psychologist known for her research on parenting styles, some educators believe an authoritative classroom management style may the best one. This type of high control, high involvement classroom management style is characterized by strong expectations of appropriate behavior, clear understandings of why certain behaviors are acceptable and others not acceptable, and warm student-teacher relationships.

However, there is no specific approach that has been proven to be the most effective. So you may wish to review The Classroom Management Book by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong which includes a variety of solutions that can be easily implemented. Every group of students has varying needs and will likely need a unique approach to help every student bring his or her best self to the classroom and be ready-to-learn every single day.

What are the four components of classroom management?

Implementing the top four components of classroom management from the start will set you and your students up for success all year long. They are:

Classroom design - be intentional about how you set up your desk, your students' desks, bulletin board displays, devices and other aspects of your classroom. Thoughtful classroom design can help create a safe and welcoming learning environment.

Rules/discipline - to create a safe and caring school community, develop classroom rules your students understand and - hopefully - respect. While it may not be fun, be sure to communicate that breaking classroom rules will have concrete yet fair consequences.

Scheduling/organization - being on time, keeping on task and staying organized will help set up your lessons (and your students' learning) up for success.

Instructional technique - while you may not have the flexibility you'd like when it comes to content and curriculum, you should have the freedom to choose how you teach. For example, 8th grade students may prefer a lecture-style lesson with small group discussions while 3rd grade students may prefer learning math with a digital game-based learning platform. Observe how your students learn best and use the classroom management strategies and techniques to teach your lessons.

Why is classroom management so important?

When done effectively, classroom management is important for three main reasons. It:

1. Creates and sustains an orderly learning environment in the classroom

2. Improves meaningful academic learning and fosters social-emotional growth

3. Increases students' academic engagement and lowers negative classroom behavior

Final thoughts about these classroom management strategies

These class-wide and one-on-one approaches to classroom management largely work across subjects and grade levels. Implementable without admin and parent support, they should empower you to establish an orderly - yet friendly and engaging - environment.

Look forward to better teacher-to-student and student-to-student interactions as a result.

Looking for a fun way to engage and reward your students? Try Prodigy Math! Aligned with curricula for grades 1 to 8, students will practice key skills while also exploring an exciting fantasy world.

Plus, you'll get access to free teacher tools that help you differentiate math content, send assessments and collect student insights - in just a few clicks.

Educators, access at no cost

Paper airplanes fly across the room. Students race between desks. You can't get a word in, as they yell over you.

Disruptive behavior doesn't have to be this dramatic, like a movie scene you'd watch in a media literacy lesson, but poor classroom management will almost assuredly elevate your stress and burnout rates.

Unfortunately, a 2019 report indicates that teachers overwhelmingly report a lack of professional development support in improving classroom management. Despite this unideal situation, there are straightforward and effective classroom management approaches you can implement by yourself. These approaches can enhance prosocial student behavior and academic engagement, establishing an orderly learning environment.

Available as a downloadable list to keep at your desk, below are 20 research-backed classroom management strategies and techniques.

Use the ones that best appeal to your situation and teaching style.

Universal classroom management strategies for educators

These 20 classroom management techniques have shown to improve classroom behavior, build relationships for a better classroom community, and foster a positive classroom environment where student learning is the number one collective goal.

Try these effective classroom management strategies with your students to become a happier, more effective teacher.

1. Model ideal behavior

Make a habit of demonstrating behavior you want to see, as many studies show that modelling effectively teaches students how to act in different situations.

A straightforward way to model certain behaviors is holding a mock conversation with an administrator, other teacher or student helper in front of the class. Talking about a test or other relatable topic, be sure to:

Use polite language

Maintain eye contact

Keep phones in your pockets

Let one another speak uninterrupted

Raise concerns about one another's statements in a respectful manner

After, start a class discussion to list and expand upon the ideal behaviors you exemplified.

2. Let students help establish guidelines

Encourage all students to help you build classroom expectations and rules, as you'll generate more buy-in than just telling them what they're not allowed to do.

This is especially essential for new teachers. Near the start of the school year or during the first day of a semester, start a discussion by asking students what they believe should and shouldn't fly in terms of appropriate behavior.

At what points are phones okay and not okay? What are acceptable noise levels during lessons?

This may seem like you're setting yourself up for failure, but -- depending on the makeup of your class -- you may be shocked at the strictness of some proposed rules. Regardless, having a discussion should lead to mutually-understood and -respected expectations for your classroom culture.

3. Document rules
Don't let your mutually-respected guidelines go forgotten.
Similar to handing out a syllabus, print and distribute the list of rules that the class discussion generated. Then, go through the list with your students. Doing this emphasizes the fact that you respect their ideas and intend to adhere to them. And when a student breaks a rule, it'll be easy for you to point to this document.

You'll likely want to post these rules up in your classroom - if you haven't already - for occasional reference. If you're feeling creative, you can include the rule list in a student handbook with important dates, events and curriculum information, too.

4. Avoid punishing the class

Address isolated discipline problems individually instead of punishing an entire class, as the latter can hurt your relationships with students who are on-task and thereby jeopardize other classroom management efforts.

Instead, call out specific students in a friendly manner. For example:

"Do you have a question?", not "Stop talking and disrupting other students"

"Do you need help focusing?", not "Pay attention and stop fooling around while I'm talking"

This basic approach will allow you to keep a friendly disposition, while immediately acknowledging inappropriate behavior.

5. Encourage initiative

Promote growth mindset, and inject variety into your lessons, by allowing students to work ahead and deliver short presentations to share take-away points. Almost inevitably, you'll have some eager learners in your classroom. You can simply ask them if they'd like to get ahead from time-to-time.

For example, if you're reading a specific chapter in a textbook, propose that they read the following one too. When they deliver their subsequent presentations to preview the next chapter on your behalf, you may find that other students want a bit more work as well.

6. Offer praise

Praise students for jobs well done, as doing so improves academic and behavioral performance, according to a recent research review and study.

When it is sincere and references specific examples of effort or accomplishment, praise can:

Inspire the class

Improve a student's self-esteem

Reinforce rules and values you want to see

Perhaps more importantly, it encourages students to repeat positive behavior. Let's say a student exemplifies advanced problem-solving skills when tackling a math word problem. Praising his or her use of specific tactics should go a long way in ensuring he or she continues to use these tactics. Not to mention, you'll motivate other students to do the same.

7. Use non-verbal communication

Complement words with actions and visual aids to improve content delivery, helping students focus and process lessons.

Many differentiated instruction strategies and techniques are rooted in these communication methods. For example, running learning stations -- divided sections of your classroom through which students rotate -- allows you to deliver a range of non-spoken content types. These include videos, infographics and physical objects such as counting coins.

8. Hold parties

Throw an occasional classroom party to acknowledge students' hard work, motivating them to keep it up.

Even if it's just for 20 or 30 minutes, they should be happy with snacks and a selection of group games to play. Clarify that you're holding the party to reward them and they can earn future parties by demonstrating ideal behavior, collectively scoring high on assessments and more.

9. Give tangible rewards

Reward specific students at the end of each lesson, in front of the class, as another motivational and behavior-reinforcement technique.

Let's say a few students are actively listening throughout the entire lesson, answering questions and asking their own. Before the class ends, walk over to their desks to give them raffle tickets. So others can learn, state aloud what each student did to earn the tickets. On Friday, they can submit their tickets for a shot at a prize that changes each week -- from candy to being able to choose a game for the next class party.

10. Make positive letters and phone calls

Keep students happy in and out of class by pleasantly surprising their parents, making positive phone calls and sending complimentary letters home.

When the occasion arises, from academic effort or behavioral progress, letting parents know has a trickle-down effect. They'll generally congratulate their kids; their kids will likely come to class eager to earn more positive feedback. This can also entice parents to grow more invested in a child's learning, opening the door to at-home lessons. Such lessons are a mainstay element of culturally-responsive teaching.

11. Build excitement for content and lesson plans

This one works well no matter the grade level: elementary school, middle school or high school. Start lessons by previewing particularly-exciting parts, hooking student interest from the get-go.

As the bell rings and students settle, go through an agenda of the day's highlights for the whole class. These could include group tasks, engaging bits of content and anything else to pique curiosity. For example, "Throughout the day, you'll learn about:"

How to talk like you're a teacher (sentence structure)

Why you don't know anyone who's won the lottery (probability)

What all the presidents of the United States have had in common (social analysis)

The goal of this classroom management technique is to immediately interest students in your agenda and thereby dissuade misbehavior.

Ready to make learning an exciting adventure?

Use Prodigy to boost classroom engagement and excitement with two captivating learning games for math and English!

12. Offer different types of free study time

Provide a range of activities during free study time to appeal to students who struggle to process content in silence, individually.

You can do this by dividing your class into clearly-sectioned solo and team activities. In separate sections, consider:

Providing audiobooks, which can play material relevant to your lessons

Maintaining a designated quiet space for students to take notes and complete work

Creating a station for challenging group games that teach or reinforce standards-aligned skills

Allowing students to work in groups while taking notes and completing work, away from quiet zones

By running these sorts of activities, free study time will begin to benefit diverse learners. This should contribute to overall classroom engagement.

13. Write group contracts

Help student group work run smoothly and effectively by writing contracts that contain guidelines, having everyone sign.

Group contracts should be based on expectations that students have for each other, and you have for them. You can gather the class's thoughts by holding a discussion about what the ideal group member does, and how he or she acts. Once you've written the contract, encourage students to come up with consequences for violating expectations.

By having them sign a fresh version of the contract before each group task and project, you're empowering them to hold each other accountable.

14. Assign open-ended projects

Encourage students to tackle open-ended projects -- projects that don't demand a specific product -- to allow them to demonstrate knowledge in ways that inherently suit them.

This starts by giving the class a list of broad project ideas, asking each student to choose one. Be sure to provide a rubric for each project that clearly defines expectations. By both enticing and challenging students, you should notice they'll:

Work and learn at their own paces

Engage actively with appropriate content

Demonstrate knowledge as effectively as possible

With these benefits, students may actually look forward to taking on new projects.

15. Give only two scores for informal assessments

Recall a time you saw a big "F" in red ink on your work. You were probably too upset to review mistakes and feedback, and so are your students when they see the same.
So, consider avoiding standard marks on informal and formative assessments.
Instead, just state if a student did or did not meet expectations. Then, provide struggling students with a clear path to improve. For example, pair classmates who didn't meet expectations with those who did, giving them a review and practice activity. When strugglers are confident they understand key concepts, encourage them to tell you. Provide a new assessment, allowing them to prove their competency.

Classroom management strategies for individual students

16. Use EdTech that adjusts to each student

Give students who struggle to process your content opportunities to try educational technology that adapts to their needs.

There are many games and platforms that use adaptive learning principles to detect a given student's skill deficits, serving them content to help overcome them.

For example, Prodigy Math adjusts its content to help students in grades 1 to 8 address their trouble spots. It also offers feedback to help them solve specific mistakes, as they answer questions that use words, charts, pictures and numbers.

The best bit? Teaching tools are all available at no cost to educators and schools.
See the student experience below!
Educators, access at no cost

17. Interview students

Interview students who aren't academically engaged or displaying prosocial behavior to learn how to better manage them.

While running learning stations or a large-group activity, pull each student aside for a few minutes. Ask about:

What helps them focus

Who they work well with

Their favorite types of lessons

Their favorite in-class activities

Which kinds of exercises help them remember key lesson points

Note their answers to come up with activities and approaches that engage them, thereby limiting classroom disruptions.

18. Address inappropriate or off-task behavior quickly

Avoid hesitation when you must address inappropriate or off-task behavior, especially when a student breaks a documented rule.

Acting sooner than later will help ensure that negative feelings -- whether between students or you and a student -- won't fester. Failure to act can result in more poor behavior, leading to needlessly-difficult conversations.

But keep in mind: It's usually best to talk to the student in private. Research shows that punishing students in front of peers has "limited value."

19. Consider peer teaching

Use peer teaching as a classroom management strategy if you feel your top performers can help engage and educate disruptive and struggling students.

Peer teaching activities, such as pairing students together as reading buddies, can be especially beneficial for students who suffer from low confidence and poor interpersonal skills.

Authoritative research states tutors improve self-esteem and interpersonal skills by giving feedback. Tutees realize benefits because they can ask questions and receive immediate clarification. A later study of at-risk students echoes these advantages. Although you should spend time teaching peer tutors how to properly communicate with tutees, you'll likely find the benefits are worth the work.

20. Gamify personal learning plans

Motivate students on personal learning plans by gamifying those plans, as studies - such as recent research from South Korea - indicate this will continuously engage and incentivize them.

Consider gamification strategies such as:

Adjusting your scoring system -- Give experience points (XP) -- along with traditional scores -- on tests and assignments, setting a goal for the student to reach a certain amount of XP per unit. For example, if a student scores 60% on a quiz, give him or her 6,000 XP. You can also award XP for completing extra assignments, participating in class or anything else that shows effort to learn.

Using stages -- Refer to topics and units as stages. The former terms have clear connotations for you, but students may not see how they fit together. If they're gamers, they'll understand that reaching the next stage requires overcoming precursory challenges. Emphasize this by framing certain tasks as prerequisites to reach the next learning stage.

If these strategies work especially well for individual students, you should see similar success by using them as class-wide student management techniques.

Classroom management strategy FAQs

What is the best classroom management style?

According to Diana Baumrind's work, a clinical psychologist known for her research on parenting styles, some educators believe an authoritative classroom management style may the best one. This type of high control, high involvement classroom management style is characterized by strong expectations of appropriate behavior, clear understandings of why certain behaviors are acceptable and others not acceptable, and warm student-teacher relationships.

However, there is no specific approach that has been proven to be the most effective. So you may wish to review The Classroom Management Book by Harry K. Wong and Rosemary T. Wong which includes a variety of solutions that can be easily implemented. Every group of students has varying needs and will likely need a unique approach to help every student bring his or her best self to the classroom and be ready-to-learn every single day.

What are the four components of classroom management?

Implementing the top four components of classroom management from the start will set you and your students up for success all year long. They are:

Classroom design - be intentional about how you set up your desk, your students' desks, bulletin board displays, devices and other aspects of your classroom. Thoughtful classroom design can help create a safe and welcoming learning environment.

Rules/discipline - to create a safe and caring school community, develop classroom rules your students understand and - hopefully - respect. While it may not be fun, be sure to communicate that breaking classroom rules will have concrete yet fair consequences.

Scheduling/organization - being on time, keeping on task and staying organized will help set up your lessons (and your students' learning) up for success.

Instructional technique - while you may not have the flexibility you'd like when it comes to content and curriculum, you should have the freedom to choose how you teach. For example, 8th grade students may prefer a lecture-style lesson with small group discussions while 3rd grade students may prefer learning math with a digital game-based learning platform. Observe how your students learn best and use the classroom management strategies and techniques to teach your lessons.

Why is classroom management so important?

When done effectively, classroom management is important for three main reasons. It:

1. Creates and sustains an orderly learning environment in the classroom

2. Improves meaningful academic learning and fosters social-emotional growth

3. Increases students' academic engagement and lowers negative classroom behavior

Final thoughts about these classroom management strategies

These class-wide and one-on-one approaches to classroom management largely work across subjects and grade levels. Implementable without admin and parent support, they should empower you to establish an orderly - yet friendly and engaging - environment.

Look forward to better teacher-to-student and student-to-student interactions as a result.

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20 Classroom Management Strategies and Techniques [+ Downloadable List]

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Paper airplanes fly across the room. Students race between desks. You can't get a word in, as they yell over you. Disruptive behavior doesn't have to be this dramatic, like a movie scene you'd watch in a media literacy lesson, but poor classroom management will almost assuredly elevate your stress and burnout rates.

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Use hand signals and other nonverbal communication: Holding one hand in the air and making eye contact with students is a great way to quiet the class and get their attention on you. It takes awhile for students to get used to this as a routine, but it works wonderfully. Have them raise their hand along with you until all are up. Then lower yours and talk.

Flicking the lights off and on once to get students’ attention is an oldie but goodie. It could also be something you do routinely to let them know they have three minutes to finish an assignment or clean up, etc.

With younger students, try clapping your hands three times and teaching the children to quickly clap back twice. This is a fun and active way to get their attention and all eyes on you.

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5 Quick Classroom-Management Tips for Novice Teachers

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When it comes to managing a classroom, new teachers mostly learn on the fly, but here are some ideas you can use right away.

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Rehearse transitions: Most disruptions occur before the bell rings and between activities. “Silent 30” was my signal for all students to clear their desks and sit silently within half a minute. A class reward occurred after 30 transitions were completed successfully. My kids loved how visitors witnessing the routine would drop their jaws in surprise.

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Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.