4. Principles in Classroom Management 1. Consistent, proactive discipline is the crux of effective classroom management “Prevention is better than cure”, so goes the adage. If we are proactive in our approach to discipline we prevent unnecessary disciplinary problems from cropping up. We have not to wait for disciplinary problems to erupt for us to take a move. To be consistent in our classroom management, we apply at all times established rules and policies to all pupils/students regardless of creed, color, economic status, academic standing in the class.
5. Principles in Classroom Management 2. Established routines for all daily tasks and needs. Routinized collection of assignments, passing of papers, and preparation for experiments saves a lot of time and effort. We have not to explain or instruct our pupils/students on how to pass papers, collect assignment, prepare experiments day in day out because we have established the routines for these everyday tasks.
6. Principles in Classroom Management 3. Orchestrate smooth transitions and continuity of momentum throughout the day. Smooth transitions and continuity of momentum throughout the day ensure us that every instructional moment is made use of wisely.
7. Principles in Classroom Management 4. Strike a balance between variety and challenge in students activities. A variety of student activities will ensure that students multiple intelligences and varied learning styles are considered in the conduct of student activities. An extremely easy learning task does not challenge our pupils and students. Neither does an extremely difficult one. It is the golden mean between the extremes of easy and difficult that will keep our pupils reasonably occupied.
8. Principles in Classroom Management 5. As classroom manager, be aware of all actions and activities in the classroom. Our heightened awareness of everything that is happening in our classroom puts our students on their toes all the time. While or back faces them when we write on the board, our “eyes on the back of our heads” will make our pupils feel that we know what they are doing.
9. Principles in Classroom Management 6. Resolve minor inattention and disruption before they become major disruptions. We have not to wait until our class is out of control. Misdemeanor has a “ripple effect” if not checked early. Conflagration begins with a spark. Put out the spark early enough to avoid conflagration. We ought to respond to inappropriate behavior promptly.
10. Principles in Classroom Management 7. Reinforce positive behavior. Be generous with genuine praise. Some teachers are quite stingy with praise. These are the teachers who think will become less when they praise others. Other teachers are overgenerous with their praise. Their praises overflow so much that they give praise even when it is not appropriate. For our praise to be genuine it must be given according to merit. It is our way of appreciating and recognizing hard work and good behavior.
11. Principles in Classroom Management 8. Treat minor disturbance calmly. If a stern look or gesture can kill the inappropriate behavior so be it. That’s the end of period! Let us not make a fuss about it.
12. Principles in Classroom Management 9. Work out a physical arrangement of chairs that facilitates an interactive teaching-learning process. The most common arrangement of tables and chair in the classroom is one where the teachers table and chairs infront and the students desk or chairs are arranged in rows facing the teacher.
13. Principles in Classroom Management 10. Make good use of every instructional moment. Minimize discipline time to maximize instructional time.
