Principles of Teaching Bloomsburg University
Principles of Teaching
Bloomsburg University
Summary of Major Concepts on Classroom Management
Good management results in effective teaching.
Good management results in effective discipline.
You will be tested by students. Be prepared.
You must remain calm to be effective.
Do not discipline with emotions.
Your students should be able to distinguish between rules, procedures, and routines.
Your students must practice procedures until they become routines.
You must have a discipline plan with consequences. Construct a written plan that students and parents must sign. Use a reward system.
Consider the school rules and policies. Enforce them.
Beginning of Class
Greet students at the door.
Students should know the routine for entering the room.
Have student complete a task during the first 5 minutes while you take roll (time on task).
Do not let tardy students disrupt class. Have a procedure where tardy students write an excuse and drop it on you desk. Deal with it after class or after school.
Use a signal for gathering attention. Consider body movement and/or a verbal signal. (i.e. raising hand and counting, moving to center of room and saying "good morning")
During Class
Have students raise their hand before speaking or moving from their desk.
Use body language.
No more than one warning.
Take immediate action.
Do no interrupt learning.
Do not make a big issue out of a small problem.
Consider the present action of the student. Do not treat the student any different because of the student's reputation or past history.
YOU send a message to other students when you choose to challenge or ignore student misbehavior.
Use scanning and body movement.
Follow your plan.
Ending Class
Have a routine.
Overplan. Students must be on task until they are dismissed. Consider ongoing projects and activities.
YOU dismiss the students. The bell does not dismiss them.
If your plan doesn't work...
Talk to the school counselor
Talk to the principal
Call parents
In summary, be firm, be consistent, and be ready!
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