Classroom Management: 25+ Brilliant Strategies
Classroom management is something many teachers struggle with and – while your classroom might not look as chaotic as an episode from The Simpsons – there’s always room for improvement!
As highlighted in the article “Why So Many Teachers Struggle With Classroom Management” , there’s a big difference between classrooms run by teachers with excellent classroom management and everyone else. An organized classroom creates an environment in which students want to listen and behave and can, therefore, be pushed for excellence.
The list below includes a variety of tips, strategies, and classroom “hacks” to help you to create a classroom with just the right balance of boundaries, challenge, possibility and – most importantly – fun!
The very best classroom management strategies
1. Dealing with Noise in the Classroom
Let’s face it. A certain amount of noise in the classroom is inevitable, and, at times, can even be a good thing. But, we all know too much noise at the wrong time can encourage students to get off track, and lose valuable learning time. The Ginger Teacher shares a sweet bag of treats in her snappy little blog post about dealing with noise in the classroom.
Read more “Dealing with Noise in the Classroom“.
2. Apps For Classroom Management
These days, there are so many digital tools to help with organizing and managing student behavior. Valerie of “All Students Can Shine” shares some easy-to-use and effective apps for classroom management.
Read more “Apps For Classroom Management“.
3. 50+ Morning Tub Ideas – The Brown Bag Teacher
A “Morning Tub” is a great resource for establishing morning routines in primary classrooms. In this post, Catherine Reed of “The Brown Bag Teacher” shares a wealth of activities and games that she includes in her Morning Tub.
Read more “50+ Morning Tub Ideas – The Brown Bag Teacher“.
4. Transitions with a Yes Line!
One of the most challenging routines for a primary classroom is transitioning from one room or activity to another. That’s why, Fern Smith shares some simple tricks to incentivize good behavior during classroom transitions.
Read more “Transitions with a Yes Line!“.
5. I Don’t Know How I Survived Without These 3 Teaching Tips
In this post, educational consultant and speaker Palma Lindsay shares three excellent and affordable DIY strategies, including self-made dry-erase boards for her students.
Read more”I Don’t Know How I Survived Without These 3 Teaching Tips“
6. 8 ways teachers can talk less and get kids talking more
It can sometimes be a struggle to get students to talk and engage with their peers about what they are learning. Angela Watson, a National Board Certified Teacher and instructional coach, shares practical strategies that can help students to talk and engage more with their peers and with the content.
Read more “8 ways teachers can talk less and get kids talking more“.
7. 11 Practical Classroom Management Ideas
In this post, a second grade teacher shares her favorite classroom management tricks. She includes great strategies like code words, hand signals, and student numbers along with photos and links to resources that you can use in your classroom right away.
Read more “11 Practical Classroom Management Ideas“.
8. Are You Sabotaging Your Classroom Management?
Jennifer Gonzalez of “Cult of Pedagogy” points out common mistakes we can make as teachers that can disrupt the flow and control of a classroom. This list and the accompanying podcast serve as good reminders of how to avoid sabotaging our own classroom management.
Read more “Are You Sabotaging Your Classroom Management?“.
9. My THREE Favorite Classroom Management Tips
Susan Jones shares some of her favorite classroom management tips (surveys, positive behavior taps, and music) and how to best implement them.
Read more “My THREE Favorite Classroom Management Tips“.
10. Tips and Resources for New Third Grade Teachers
Jamie Sears of “Diary of a Not-So-Wimpy Teacher” shares invaluable tips for teaching third graders. This post is loaded with useful information that any elementary school teacher can use, including resources and activity ideas for each subject.
Read more “Tips and Resources for New Third Grade Teachers“.
11. 26 Morning Work Ideas and Routines for Primary Teachers
Finding the right morning routine for your class may take some searching around. In this post, Emily Garcia compiles advice from dozens of primary teachers about morning routines. Additionally, she links to resources and other educator pages for more insight.
Read more “26 Morning Work Ideas and Routines for Primary Teachers“.
12. Tips To A Kindergarten Teacher From A Kindergarten Teacher
Jennifer Drake of “Crayons & Cuties in Kindergarten” shares wisdom about setting up your classroom for success from her years teaching kindergarten. She includes pictures and practical tips about setting up a reading space, how to make the most out of storage space, and the value of using play dough in the classroom.
Read more “Tips To A Kindergarten Teacher From A Kindergarten Teacher“.
13. Tips from a Teacher on Teaching Students with ADHD
Brandi Schamber shares practical and unique advice about making your classroom more amenable for students with ADHD. As a teacher who has ADHD herself, Brandi has particularly unique insight into how the right classroom management can help all students to succeed.
Read more “Tips from a Teacher on Teaching Students with ADHD“.
14. 12 Resources that Teachers Need to Know About for the Inclusive Classroom: A Professional Development Guide
Nicole Eredics is a professional who advocates for the inclusion of students with disabilities in mainstream classrooms. In this post, Nicole shares resources that teachers can use for personal professional development as they aim to make their classrooms more inclusive.
Read more “12 Resources that Teachers Need to Know About for the Inclusive Classroom: A Professional Development Guide“.
15. 50 Classroom Hacks, Tips and Tricks for Teachers Back to School
You will come across plenty of lists for back-to-school tips, but Crystal has compiled a fantastic list of creative, unique, DIY classroom “hacks” that will help to organize and vamp up your classroom space.
Read more “50 Classroom Hacks, Tips and Tricks for Teachers Back to School“.
16. Mr. Potato Head Classroom Management
Students often benefit from feedback and visual reminders of classroom rules. Heather from “Recipe for Teaching” shares a cute and fun way to use a Mr. Potato Head to reinforce classroom and behavior expectations.
Read more “Mr. Potato Head Classroom Management“.
17. Behavior Punch Cards for Classroom Management
In this post, Jennifer from “A Dab of Glue Will Do” shows us how she uses punch cards as an easy way to encourage students to make better choices.
Read more “Behavior Punch Cards for Classroom Management“.
18. Classroom Supply Organization for Departmentalized Teachers
Subject and specials teachers who see many groups of children, rather than one class, face a different set of challenges for organization. This post includes useful tips and resources for upper elementary school departmentalized teachers, and specials teachers will find these tips helpful as well.
Read more “Classroom Supply Organization for Departmentalized Teachers“.
19. How to Use Icons to Develop Classroom Routines
Classroom rules and expectations can sometimes be a lot to remember for small children. In this post, Leslie, a kindergarten teacher, demonstrates how she uses icons to teach and reinforce routines in her classroom.
Read more “How to Use Icons to Develop Classroom Routines“.
20. At-Risk Classroom Management Pt 3: Incentives and Redirection
Different groups of students have unique needs and respond differently to strategies. This post shares useful information about incentive and redirection strategies that can be particularly effective in at-risk classrooms.
Read more “At-Risk Classroom Management Pt 3: Incentives and Redirection“.
21. Classroom Management: Call and Response
Classroom management doesn’t have to be boring. Michelle Oakes, a reading specialist, shares Call and Response chants and activities as a fun way to engage students and manage your classroom.
Read more “Classroom Management: Call and Response“.
22. 5 Effective Classroom Management Strategies
Veteran teachers often have their tried-and-tested classroom management strategies. Tricia Clausen shares five easy and creative strategies such as “the stoplight approach” and “sit spots” to manage your classroom through positive reinforcement.
Read more “5 Effective Classroom Management Strategies“.
23. 32 Must-Try Classroom Management Tips
Sometimes you know what you need to do to better manage your classroom, but you lack the resources or the time to make them. In this post, Malia, a National Board Certified teacher, shares reliable resources for classroom management strategies such as positive reinforcement, grouping, brain breaks, helping students to calm down, and more.
Read more “32 Must-Try Classroom Management Tips“.
24. Our Morning Classroom Routine: Coming in and Classroom Jobs
Having a consistent morning routine is essential in primary classrooms. Brie, a special education teacher, shows how you can create a routine that also fosters independence by assigning jobs for students to complete each morning.
Read more “Our Morning Classroom Routine: Coming in and Classroom Jobs“.
25. Back to the Basics: Manage Your Class
Sometimes we need to freshen up on the basics of classroom management. In this post, Tara West of “Little Minds at Work” offers fantastic advice on a variety of strategies from lining up and carpet time procedures to pacing and brain breaks.
Read more “Back to the Basics: Classroom Management“.
Summary
And there you have it! 25 awesome tips and resources that will set your classroom apart as the best environment for your students to strive.
Don’t forget to share this post if you found it helpful!
And, now that you have classroom management down, how about polishing up those organizational skills? Learn more with our post 7 Spectacular Student Organization Tools!
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