Classroom Management strategies to make behavior management easier

Challenges of the past two years and the return to the classroom have magnified student stressors and discipline issues. In a recent survey by the Education Advisory Board (EAB), 81% of school administrators indicated the frequency of disruptive behaviors in their schools is either “more” or “significantly more” than during the previous three years. While educators are empathetic of the emotional toll the pandemic has taken on kids, many are looking for new approaches to dealing with these new levels of misbehaviors.  

To help teachers avoid having to resort to traditional strategies and systems to manage and eliminate difficult behaviors, classroom management has become more important than ever. 

LanSchool is classroom management software. The other concept of classroom management is comprised of techniques and skills teachers use to create and maintain appropriate student behavior, optimize student engagement, and ensure their classes run smoothly. In other words, classroom management is the underlying structure of how you run your classroom to encourage positive behaviors and discourage behavioral challenges.

For a new teacher or one who has largely relied on old discipline practices to maintain an orderly classroom, classroom management skills may be a better place to focus efforts. Here are five examples of helpful classroom management: 

1. Letting students help set the rules and consequences 

Most students understand why order is important in the classroom, but they may not feel invested in the rules they are expected to follow. Help bridge this gap by letting students help set the rules for the classroom.  

Work as a class on creating rules and the consequences for breaking those rules. Do not be afraid to accept one or two “ridiculous” suggestions (i.e. — every time someone speaks without raising their hand, they have to do a silly dance as punishment). If the students feel invested in the rules, they are more likely to feel invested in the lessons being taught. 

2. Making smooth transitions 

Cross-talking often happens when transitioning from one subject to another. Managing these transitions is crucial to keeping order. 

Setting and enforcing expectations is the key to smooth transitions. When making a transition, give students a cue. This could be an audio cue, like a bell ring, or a visual one, such as pushing a message to digital devices (e.g. using the LanSchool Blank Screen feature).  

Once attention is captured, give one or two simple, clear steps to follow, such as, “When I say go, silently put away your science book and take out your reading book.” Including too many directions will dilute the effectiveness, so keeping instructions simple is key. 

3. Making digital citizenship part of classroom management 

With students spending more time on digital devices, it is important to also set rules of engagement for the online space. Take time to coach students on digital citizenship best practices, including how to be kind and avoid misunderstandings with their classmates.  

Give citizenship tips as they work on their devices and gently redirect problem behaviors noticed using Screen Monitoring tools. If a breach of protocol occurs, start by assuming the student was simply unfamiliar with the rules, and escalate as needed from there.  

4. Facilitating collaborative learning 

Group work is an age-old classroom management tool, and it still works in the hybrid classrooms of today. Collaborative learning not only gets students engaged, it helps them learn better and improves their social-emotional well-being. 

If group lessons incorporate digital devices, it is easy to message groups directly when they get off task or their volume level gets too high. If the class becomes chaotic, using Blank Screen and a quick verbal redirection is a great way to get them back on task. 

5. Getting to know students personally 

Of course, there is no substitute for personal relationships, and getting to know students personally is a great way to deter classroom behavioral challenges. Find and compliment each student on their strength(s) as a way to establish rapport. 

Set the tone from the moment they enter the classroom by standing at the door for a high five or fist bump. Those small shows of effort go a long way to gaining respect in the classroom. 

Classroom management software can help 

Software such as LanSchool is purpose-built to make classroom management easier. By helping teachers to guide digital learning and keep students on track when they’re working on digital devices, precious time can be spent on teaching and less on managing behavioral issues. Sign for a free trial to see for yourself.