Have you ever noticed a teacher who seems to lack discipline problems, has the respect of her students and complete control of her classroom? On top of all this, she makes it all look so easy; it's almost as if she has super powers. But, the reason this teacher is a superstar is not because she has super powers. It's because she knows the number one secret in classroom management.
Thou shalt not have a plethora of rules. When you have a limited number of rules it is easier to understand, to remember and enforce the rules. You make it possible for everyone to know what is expected of them and therefore easier to comply with your wishes. There is no need for a set of rules that resemble the IRS tax code. All you need is a set of rules that will cover your expectations in the classroom. It is possible to have as few as five classroom guidelines.
I have been using the following five guidelines for several years with excellent results. These rules cover just about every situation that might arise in the classroom.
Follow instructions.Prepare for class immediately.Don't talk when the speaker is speaking.Keep your person and objects to yourself.Complete your assignments.Once you have determined your guidelines and the consequences for failure to comply create a handout that can be given to everyone of your students. Then take a class period at the very beginning of the year and read the handout together.
Take your time and make sure everyone understands the meaning of your guidelines. Be sure to use stories and humorous examples to illustrate your guidelines. Your students will remember the guidelines better if presented with stories and humor.
The time you spend setting your guidelines in the beginning will be well worth it. It will show your students that you are prepared. Also, they will know what you expect of them and the consequences for failure to comply with your expectations.
REMEMBER: The fewer rules you have the better for classroom management.
If you would like to know more about superstar teaching go to http://insidesecretsforsuperstarteaching.com or http://n-secs.com
It is the end of one year and the beginning of a new one. Have you looked back at the year gone by? Are you satisfied with what you have accomplished? Whether the answer is yes or no, it's