Classroom+Management

Before any academics are considered, a teacher must have control of the classroom. Classroom management single handily will make or break a teacher. Management does not mean solely discipline; it means allowing a classroom to run smoothly. Procedures must be put in place and a behavior plan must be clearly communicated. Getting to know your students is of upmost importance. Taking these initial first steps will ensure a smooth year.

__**The First Days of School**__

1. DO NOT TEACH the first days of school. This is time to get to know your students and for them to get to know you. Academics will come when the class is ready for them. The first days of school should be spent communicating and practicing routines and procedures, doing ice breaker activities, and setting clear expectations. Usually the first week of school is shortened. I would devote that portion, whether it is 3 days or 5, to solely non-academic activities. Students must feel comfortable before they are ready to learn.

2. BEFORE THE KIDS GET THERE:
 * Come up with a behavior plan (best to include both consequences and incentives)
 * Group students
 * Plan ice breaker activities __TIP:__ always over plan. Think you have time for 3 ice breakers? Plan 5. You never know how time will go, and the last thing you want when you're getting to know your students is to be unprepared.
 * Plan activities that will help the children get to know you. You are their teacher and they will look up to you. This will help build rapport with students. When it comes to management, rapport with students is everything. If they respect you, they behave. Plain and simple.
 * Set up classroom to allow for good flow
 * Easy access for students to get materials
 * High traffic items in open areas (trashcan, turn-it-in bins, tissues, stapler, etc.) and preferable away from your desk/area.
 * Outline classroom procedures.
 * Bathroom policy
 * Behavior plan (incentive and consequence--will discuss this in more detail later)
 * Handing in work
 * Grading work
 * Group work expectations
 * Individual work expectations
 * Lining up
 * Transition periods
 * Pencil sharpening
 * Retrieving of supplies
 * Make-up work
 * Attention getter: when students are busy at work, how will you get their attention?

3. Build a classroom community. Now is the time to focus on being a community and working together. Activities you plan should help build trust between you and your students as well as between students and their peers. A class that looks out for one another is less likely to fight and more likely to get along. I will talk about activities that help to introduce a classroom community later on.

4. The ultimate key to classroom management is to keep students engaged. Bored students get into trouble. The more relevant and exciting your lessons are to students the more likely they are going to be engaged. If you put the time into planning great lessons, the reward is a well functioning class and a lot of stress saved throughout the school day.

5. Managing student behavior does not mean intimidating students into behaving and doing their work. The goal of classroom management is to build a rapport with students that they are motivated by you, their teacher. If students like you and respect you they do not want to disappoint you. This is particularly advantageous at the School of Hope, where you do not have a "phone call home" to use as leverage. I have NEVER used a phone call home as leverage against a student. I do not want them to fear me, or the possibility I may call home, I want to earn their respect.

6. Be open with students. Share stories about your life, tell them about the real world. The more open you are the more they will be able to trust you. Motivate your students to want a better life for themselves. The best outcome of any behavior plan is for students to intrinsically motivated. Share with them the possibilities that are out in the world for them. How can they work towards something they do not know exists? Expose them to anything and everything, it is a natural motivator.