10 Classroom Management Strategies To Help You Take Control Of Your Classroom

1. Establish clear rules and consequences from the outset

From the very first day of school, it is important to establish clear rules and expectations for student behaviour. Let your students know what is expected of them in terms of behaviour, work ethic and respect for others. Make sure your rules are clear, concise and easy to understand.

2. Use positive reinforcement

When students behave in the way you expect them to, make sure to give them positive reinforcement. This could be in the form of verbal praise, stickers, stamps or extra playtime. Whatever form it takes, positive reinforcement will let your students know that they are on the right track and encourage them to continue behaving in the desired manner.

3. Be consistent with your discipline

If a rule is broken, it is important to enforce the consequences consistently. If you let one student off the hook, it sets a precedent for the rest of the class and makes it harder to maintain discipline in the future. Be firm but fair with your discipline and your students will soon learn what behaviour is and is not acceptable.

4. Use classroom routines

Classroom routines are a great way to help students feel comfortable and settled in the classroom environment. Having set times for activities such as reading, writing and maths helps students to know what is expected of them and makes the day run more smoothly.

5. Keep students engaged

If students are bored, they are more likely to misbehave. Make sure your lessons are interesting and engaging, with plenty of variety to keep students on their toes. If students are actively involved in their learning, they are less likely to cause disruption.

6. Be aware of triggers

There are often certain triggers that can lead to misbehaviour. These could be things like hunger, tiredness, frustration or a lack of understanding. If you are aware of these triggers, you can try to avoid them or be prepared to deal with them if they do arise.

7. Stay calm

It can be easy to lose your cool when dealing with disruptive students, but it is important to try to stay calm. Losing your temper will only make the situation worse and could escalate the misbehaviour. If you stay calm and collected, you will be better able to deal with the situation effectively.

8. Avoid power struggles

If you find yourself in a battle of wills with a student, it is important to try to avoid getting caught up in a power struggle. This will only make the situation worse and could lead to further disciplinary problems. Instead, try to diffuse the situation and find a compromise that everyone can agree on.

9. Seek support

If you are struggling to deal with a particularly challenging student, don’t be afraid to seek support from your colleagues or your school’s behaviour support team. They will be able to offer advice and guidance on how to best deal with the situation.

10. Be proactive

The best way to deal with discipline problems is to be proactive and try to prevent them from happening in the first place. By establishing clear rules and expectations, being consistent with your discipline and keeping students engaged in their learning, you can help to reduce the likelihood of misbehaviour occurring.