The Best 21 Classroom Management Tips And Tricks

Doesn’t every teacher dream of an efficient classroom where no problems occur and lessons run smoothly?

Yes, I know probably not a reality, but I believe there are definitely strategies and processes that you can put in place to assist with the smooth running of your classroom. You’re probably already doing some of these classroom management tips and tricks or you are familiar with them. But, I hope you find some new ideas in this list to help you with your classroom management.

1. Procedures

Ensure you have procedures in place for students moving around the room and school. This might mean that you get your students to line up in two lines each time, with line leaders at the front.

2. Early finishers

Do you have early finishers in your class? If so, then make sure you have a plan in place for these students. You could give early finishers free time or maybe you could buddy them up with another student to assist them with finishing their work. Try different approaches to see what is the least disruptive to the other students still working.

3. Desirable behavior

Model desirable behavior, e.g. good organization, respect for others, courtesy, responsibility etc.

4. Limits of behavior

Ensure you define the limits of behavior. Children will often behave inappropriately because they do not know what is expected of them. What is obvious to you may not be so to the child.

5. Positive language

Use positive language to encourage positive behavior. I’ve also put together a poster that you can have on hand to help you use positive language.

Just fill in your details below so I can email the poster to you.

6. Signals

Using signals can be key to a well-run classroom. Develop a signal or routine that means ‘quiet please.’ Pausing can also work well as the signal for quiet or silence.

7. Limit options

You may need to limit options if you find your students become overstimulated or overwhelmed.

8. Attentive listening

Are you receptive to your students’ ideas? Do you listen attentively and actively? Use paraphrasing to help you understand your students’ thoughts, feelings, and concepts.

9. Sense of humor

A sense of humor can go a long way in helping to create a happy, well-run classroom. Appreciate the jokes and funny stories your students tell you.

10. Class meetings

Implementing class meetings are a great way to improve communication and cohesiveness of a class. These are a great way to resolve any problems, plan fun activities and improve communication skills.

11. Teaching strategies

The first 5 minutes of a lesson really counts, and it usually sets the tone for how the rest of the lesson will go. Do you use a variety of teaching strategies to entice your students in the first few minutes of the lesson?

12. Clear voice

Remember to be confident and enthusiastic and use your voice clearly to explain concepts and keep students on track during a lesson.

13. Attention

Gain the full attention of the class before you give instructions.

14. Social skills

Teach social skills to help your students interact with others, increase self-esteem and be accepting of other students’ differences. Select one social skill to focus on for the month and take note of when you see students practicing the skill. Remember to give positive verbal feedback to the students when you observe the skill.

15. Check for understanding

Check that your students understand a task before allowing them to begin the task. Ask your students to repeat directions for procedures or list the main points of your instruction.

16. Modelling lessons

When demonstrating a task to students prepare all equipment ahead of time. Arrange the class so that all students can see and maintain student attention throughout the demonstration. Write important points from the demonstration on the board as you go as it can assist with review. Allow your students to practice what was demonstrated.

17. Oral communication

Use good oral communication that is: audible, clear and varied (not in monotones). Use language that your students understand.

18. Body language

Remember your body language can set the tone for a lesson as well. Check your facial expression, movements, gestures, mannerisms and eye contact.

19. Questioning

Use a variety of questions to engage your students, check for understanding and extend their thinking. Remember to allow time for students to think and answer the question. Recognize the value of student answers.

20. Following directions

Check that your students carry out your directions. Comment on the way the directions are carried out and praise if necessary.

21. Self-evaluate

Self-evaluate for self-improvement.

Summing up

What would you add to the list? What are some of your best classroom management tips and tricks?

Please share your top classroom management tips in the comments below.