A Proactive Approach to Classroom Management

PERFORMANCE LEARNING PLUS is a monthly e-newsletter by Performance Learning Systems (PLS), a comprehensive educational services company that has provided a full spectrum of programs, products, and consulting services to educators and business professionals since 1971.

Preventing discipline problems is more effective, efficient, and enjoyable than responding to discipline problems after they occur. Read more to find out how to IMPLEMENT A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT.

TIPS:

A PROACTIVE APPROACH TO CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT focuses on structuring and organizing the classroom in ways that create a positive physical and emotional environment.

1. CREATE AN INVITING CLASSROOM CLIMATE.

An inviting classroom climate is one in which students and teachers treat one another with courtesy and respect; students follow rules not out of fear but because they feel ownership of them; and teachers' create opportunities for students to develop and exercise control over their own behavior. Ways you can create an inviting climate include:

• Learn something about each student's personal interests.
• Share classroom jobs and responsibilities with students.
• Set high expectations (for behavior and achievement).
• Create classroom traditions and rituals, such as special songs and celebrations.

2. STRUCTURE A POSITIVE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT.

The physical environment directly influences teachers’ and students’ attitudes and their ability to perform. Assess your room arrangement and consider the following:

• Create enough space to move easily move throughout the classroom.
• Arrange desks to support the task at hand. For example, use clusters for group work and rows for test taking.
• Create an attractive, aesthetically pleasing environment by making sure the room is clean and uncluttered.
• Put up posters, pictures, and projects that reflect students' backgrounds, activities, and accomplishments.

3. ESTABLISH CLEAR RULES AND PROCEDURES.

Classroom behavior problems are least likely to occur when you carefully plan and clearly define rules and procedures that structure student behavior. Keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Phrase your rules positively. State what students should do, rather than what they should not do.
• Keep your list of rules short. Choose no more than five rules. More than five is too difficult for students to remember, and if they can’t remember the rules, they probably won’t follow them.
• Plan ahead for follow-through. Consistency is essential for effective classroom management. Consider the behaviors that will result if students choose not to follow a rule, and know how you will hold students accountable for such behaviors.
• Involve students in creating classroom rules when appropriate.

4. MAINTAIN MOMENTUM AND FLOW.

One of your most important tasks as a proactive classroom manager is to keep the flow of instruction moving at the right pace -- not too fast and not too slow. Use the following ideas to maintain momentum and flow:

• Create interesting and engaging lessons that capture students’ interest.
• Have all materials readily available to avoid delays.
• Accommodate individual learning rhythms by having additional activities available for students who finish assignments early.
• Carefully plan for transition times within lessons as well as between them.

Source: The above concepts are based on the PLS graduate course Classroom Management: Orchestrating a Community of Learners®. For more information, see "Related Graduate Courses" to the right.

For additional sample related topics, see "Taking It Further" to the right.

References:

Wang, M.C., Haertel, G.D., & Walberg, H.J. (1994). Educational resilience in inner cities. In M.C. Wang & E. Gordon (Eds.), Educational resilience in inner-city America: Challenges and prospects (pp. 45-72). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum. Manke, M.P. (1997). Classroom power relations: Understanding student-teacher interaction. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum.