What qualifications make an effective teacher? Knowing your teaching material, and having an understanding of teaching methods are important skills – but tried-and-true classroom management strategies are also important for any teacher. 

Let’s look at 10 classroom management strategies certain to maximize student learning.

1. Relationships

Students feel a sense of belonging when there are positive relationships with teachers. Learning is exciting. Academic gains increase and negative behaviors decrease. The students’ families are more active in their children’s learning.

Tips to build strong student-teacher relationships 

• Greet them personally when they enter the room

• Offer frequent praise

• Provide positive feedback 

• Ask questions to engage in conversation 

• Actively listen

• Learn about their interests 

• Respect their opinions

  
  

2. Modeling

When modeling is used as a management strategy, a certain behavior is taught. Over time, the targeted behavior is reinforced and student behavior changes.

Tips for students to imitate behavior

Determine the behavior to be reinforced. For example, if a student’s desk is disorganized, make sure your workspace is neat. If a student interrupts when others speak, be mindful that you don’t interrupt. Students can see how manners are used (saying “please” and “thank you”). “I” statements can teach students the consequences of their actions (e.g., I feel disappointed when you don’t study your spelling words). 

3. Expectations

It’s important to explain your expectations of any given assignment or project. Share what it should look like and how it will be assessed. When it’s completed, invite students to tell what they learned, what they did well, and what they could have improved. 

Tips on setting expectations

Consider what expectations you have. Explain them to your students. When they need redirection, refer to the expectations. Be consistent. Remember, you’re in control of the learning environment. 

4. Routines

By following routines, students feel more comfortable and relaxed. They can focus on learning. They are more responsible, independent learners. They will be better equipped to develop routines as they mature.

Tips to establish classroom routines

Classroom routines help make the days run smoothly. For example, how should the students enter the classroom? What should they do before class begins? Creating and posting a daily schedule helps keep everyone on track. Having designated areas in the room for assorted learning activities provides organization. 

5. Classroom Rules

Rules guide behavior: what is acceptable and what is not.  

Tips on class rules

Involve your students in generating a list of rules. Begin with a brainstorming session followed by a discussion. Consider voting on the rules. Select a few good rules. After the rules are determined, post them in the classroom. 

What makes an effective rule?

• Simple, accessible wording.

Example: 'Raise your hand to talk.'

• Use a verb to begin each rule.

Example: 'Complete your homework on time.'

• Focus on measurable and observable behavior.

Example: 'Use respectful language.'

6. Positive Reinforcement

Positive reinforcement helps students focus on learning. When you tell the class, something you like about their behavior, this increases the likelihood of the behavior to repeat. 

Tips to reinforce targeted behavior and learning

It’s wonderful to enjoy learning. Students feel good about themselves when they are treated warmly by teachers. They like the classroom and school. Don’t be negative. Be upbeat and encourage good behavior and academic progress. 

7. Learning Resources

Students are more apt to engage and be motivated to learn when your instruction is supplemented by stimulating, interactive materials.

Tips to utilize exciting materials

Technology, games, field trips, multimedia and hands-on activities help redirect students’ attention. Students can then understand the skill or concept more readily. They retain what they’ve learned for a longer time. As teachers plan their lessons, they should brainstorm what additional materials they want to use. Perhaps there are ideas and resources found online, or resources learned about through professional development activities, educational workshops, or college classes. Be cognizant of your students’ diverse learning styles and interests. Ask yourself: Do you make learning relevant? Do you mix up instruction with independent, small-group, and whole-class instruction? 

8. Flexibility

Even the best-designed learning plans may not be as effective as you had thought. A student might be misbehaving, or a concept is more challenging and is taking longer for the students to understand. That’s where flexibility comes in.  

Tips on knowing when to be flexible

If a literature discussion is engaging for your students and the class runs over, fine. If a science experiment needs to be demonstrated again, then take the time to do it. Remind yourself that learning is not always predictable and that rigidity can impede learning. For example, do you always need to select the books for each student or can they select them? Do you give students the freedom to pick their own topics for research papers or do you assign topics?

9. Accommodations

When diverse needs are addressed, every student can meet success. 

Tips to teach all learners

Incorporating various strategies helps accommodate all learners. One strategy is differentiation. The methods, materials, and assessments can be differentiated to meet individual student’s learning styles. Maybe present the new material in a lecture format, and then students read about the information or watch a media presentation about it. You might offer a choice of assessments or have students self-evaluate their work and progress. Another helpful tip is to break down tasks into smaller steps so students are guided to successfully complete every step of the way.  Interactive checkpoints (e.g., a quiz or activity) help break up the learning task and provide feedback about student learning. 

10. Transitions

When students go from one task to the next smoothly, valuable instructional time is saved. At the start of the day, students take a seat in the classroom. They move from one learning activity to another. They exit the classroom not just at the end of the day, but rather at recess and lunch time, and for specialty classes.  

Tips for utilizing transitions

Explain how the transition works and when to use it. Sometimes, modeling the acceptable transition is helpful. Students can practice the appropriate action. 

Specifically, you can:

• Gain attention by using oral reminders. 

Examples: “Count to five.”

• Explain a procedure.

Example: “After reading the story, take out your journal.”

• Prepare for a start signal.

Example: “When I say ‘now,’ solve the math problem.

• Reteach the behavior.

Example: After students are habitually loud when walking down the hallway, practice the desired route until the expectations of a straight, quiet line are met.

• Use hand signals to prevent class disruptions.

Examples: One finger means a student needs help. Two fingers show they need to sharpen a pencil, etc.

There are many classroom management strategies. Perhaps you’d like to try a few mentioned in this article, or maybe you have a few of your own to implement. 

For more information on mastering classroom management with proven techniques, and how to receive ongoing support via an educator-focused platform, check out Zen Educate and sign up today.