Reflection #6 : Rules to Apply for Effective Classroom Management

Classroom management involves how we relate personally to others and how we respond when someone does something we believe is not acceptable. It requires a wide variety of skills and techniques to keep students organized, orderly, focused and be as academically productive as possible in the class. When it comes to managing a classroom, every teacher has their own unique style in doing so. As for me, I want to create a positive, supportive learning environment in which all students feel safe and respected. Below are a couple of rules that I choose to stand by to facilitate that type environment when I become a teacher someday. The form that I choose will be Form 1 students. 

Rule #1 : Use positive reinforcement

Each and every student has their own strengths and weaknesses. It is impossible to expect them to behave the same way initially. Instead of scolding and blaming my students for any misbehavior, I would actually take responsibility and see to it that they improve willingly. I want to find long-term solutions to problem behaviors, rather than using short term compliance strategies (i.e., overemphasis on rewards and punishment). For instance, by  analyzing behavioral problems for possible causes, including developmental,emotional, and family factors. By displaying deep concern towards students’ welfare, I strongly believe that they will feel motivated to do correct themselves and comply with the good behavior expected of them. Furthermore, research has shown that positive feedback should occur three times as frequently as negative feedback. The positive feedback does not necessarily have to be verbal – it can also include praise, hugs, smiles, handshakes, nods, and eye contact. Recognition of achievements such as displaying an excellent drawing or essay in the classroom bulletin board can also make students feel intrinsically motivated to continue with their good behavior and inspire others to be follow them too. By these simple gestures, I feel that students will feel more emotionally secure in a classroom.

Rule #2 : Model the behavior you expect from your students

When managing disruptive behavior, it is essential for teachers to keep their emotions in check. Personal problems and frustrations should not be used at any cost as an excuse for taking it out on the students. Teachers must model the same restraint they seek to develop in their students. Thus, teaching requires a level of emotional intelligence, that is the ability to perceive a situation as stressful, reflect on the

best course of action, and choose a reasonable action. Losing one’s temper will only make a stressful situation even more worse. Therefore, I want to try to always remain calm and collected even when dealing with stressful situations for the sake of finding a positive solution to them. Students tend to emulate behavior that shows positive results. Therefore, I want to be able to “practice what I preach”,to build a classroom climate based on mutual respect, competence, integrity, and personal regard for others. 

 Rule #3 : “No one should be left behind”

In my classroom, I want to foster relationships amongst my students that make them feel like part of a family. Each and every one of them should contribute to creating a stimulating classroom atmosphere. To do this, I will emphasize a lot of group activites, team work exercises etc that will make them bond. This will instill cooperation and leadership qualities in them. In a classroom where people are always working together, group dynamics come into play and the synergy that forms as a product of that motivates them to perform well. I want to also make it a point to nurture each student’s potential with the fundamental message that “You Matter”. This will make them develop a sense of belonging and make them feel positive about learning.

I strongly believe that these rules will definitely help to manage a classroom effectively and hope all my fellow educators found them useful :) Thank you!