Classroom Management Tips

Teaching can be a bit difficult, especially with smaller children.
There may be kids with short attention spans, slow learners and even trouble makers.
You just can't get away from different characters in a classroom, and well there are some simple things you can do to encourage thorough learning among all students.

1. Speak only when students are quiet and ready to learn

   A 20-year-old veteran spoke of this golden nugget. She said, you should just wait until all the students are silent, and then wait a little longer.

   As a teacher I attempted this strategy. I tried; I struggled against the impulse to speak. I'd wait far longer sometimes than I thought I should hold out for. The students would cue each other slowly but surely: "Shh, she's trying to tell us something," "Come on, stop talking," and "Hey guys, be silent." For me, they did all the work.
   
   My patience paid off. Yours will too. And you’ll get to keep your voice.

2. Utilize hand signals and other nonverbal means of communication

   A perfect way to relax the class and get their attention is to keep one hand in the air and make eye contact with students. It takes students a while to get used to it as a routine, but it works beautifully. Make them raise their hands with you before they're all up. Lower yours, then talk.

   An oldie but goodie is flicking the lights off and on once, to get the attention of students.

   It may also be something you regularly do to let them know that they have three minutes to complete or clean up an assignment, etc.

   Try clapping your hands three times with younger students and teaching the kids twice to clap back quickly. This is a fun and productive way to get all eyes on you and their attention.

1. A normal and natural voice is better

   Try to teach in your normal accent! From the first year in the classroom, any teacher should note this: you lose your voice if you spend those first months speaking at an above-normal volume before one day.

   Rising our voice to get the attention of students is not the best way, and it's just not worth the tension it creates and the vibe it brings in the room.

   Your voice level will be echoed by the students, so stop using that semi-shouting voice. We have to do the same if we want children to speak at a natural, friendly volume.

   You want your sound to be distinguished as well. Be sure to use a declarative, matter-of-fact tone if you are telling students to put away their notebooks and get into their groups. Use an inviting, conversational tone if you are asking a question about a character in a short story, or about contributions made by the Roman Empire.

1. Do not entertain bad behaviours! Address them immediately!

   Be sure to deal as soon as possible with a problem between you and a student or between two students. Bad feelings can develop so quickly from molehills into mountains, on your part or the students '.

   You and the student should move away from the other students in order to manage such disputes carefully, even only in the doorway of the classroom.
   Where necessary, wait until after instruction, preventing interruption of the lesson. Ask naive questions like How could I help you?" Do not accuse the child of anything. Act like you do care, even though at the moment you have the opposite feeling. Typically, the student would be disarmed so she might expect you to be furious and confrontational. Arrange for them to meet you at lunch or after or before school when students have disputes with each other. Use neutral language when you serve as a mediator, helping them respectfully settle the issue or at least achieve a friendly truce.

1. Make your lessons fun and engaging!

   This tip is the most meaningful of all. Perhaps you've learned that they'll have one for you if you don't have a plan for them. Over-plan, always. It's easier to run short on a lesson than to run out of time.

   There's one thing I know for sure from my own firsthand experience and after several classroom observations: bored students equal trouble! There is always too much talking and telling from the teacher if the lesson is poorly organized and not enough hands-on learning and experimentation by the students. We all understand it takes both a serious mind and time to prepare for engaging lessons. And for several reasons, they are definitely worth it.

You don't have to be a teacher to utilise these tips.
During the pandemic alot of us are stuck with our children at home.
If you are teaching your child, this would come in handy for you too!