Classroom Tips - Manage your class effectively

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Whether you are new or experienced, classroom management is a major concern for most teachers. Before you can teach your class, you need to be able to manage your class. The tricky part is knowing how to handle unpredictable situations but a good dose of planning and discipline techniques can help.

1. Make Expectations Clear

The first step to getting good behaviour from your students is to make your expectations clear from the start. Highlight your expectations of them as students - that they should be punctual, show respect for others and other expected behaviours. Make clear the consequences they will face if they break the rules. Some teachers even make their students sign an agreement at the start of the semester.

2. Establish rapport

What is the best way to get your students to behave? Most students are flattered if teachers remember their names and are more eager to please. Your lessons will also be more effective if you can address them by name. Carry a class list with pictures of your students. When students are doing their individual or group work, make it a point to talk to them and note down something about them that will help you remember them. It helps if the students remain seated at the same place during every lesson. You can also come up with your own seating plan.

3. Minimise Disruptions

If students are talking among themselves and you are teaching, ask one of them a question to try to get them back on track. Better yet, call them by name so that they know that they will be called upon if they do not pay attention.

Another way to deal with students talking is to walk over to where they are and conduct your lesson from there, so that they will keep quiet. But if too many students are talking all at once, tell them you are unable to proceed with the lesson unless they keep quiet.

4. Avoid Confrontations in Front of Students

Avoid scolding students in front of their friends. Instead, arrange to speak to the student privately. Otherwise, the student may resent you, lose interest in the subject and cause other disruptions in class. When you speak to the student privately, do show your concern so that they are more willing to cooperate with you.

5. Plan Your Lesson Well

Students are more likely to pay attention and less resistant to learning if the lesson is interesting and has clear objectives. Don€™t plan too many activities or your students will not be able to remember all the learning points. Keep in mind the main learning points when you plan your lesson. You can always have a back-up activity if you finish early.

6. Make Lesson Transitions Smooth

As you move from one activity to another, minimise the disruption to the class. All your materials should have been prepared before class. If students have nothing to do while waiting to you, they will get restless and bored and that is when disruptions are likely to happen.

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