20 Tips from Veteran Teachers
Over the years, NJEA members and staff have developed workshops, seminars, tips and other assistance for the classroom. To get you started, here are a few words of wisdom from fellow teachers about classroom management.
- Get lesson plans in order and be organized.
- Look at the student to whom you are speaking.
- Don't disapprove of what a child is--disapprove of what he or she does.
- Let the class relax occasionally, but make sure they know to return to required behavior when asked.
- Be fair but firm. Enforce your rules consistently, fairly and impersonally.
- Give attention and praise for good behavior.
- Don't show favoritism.
- Let students know you care and will help before and after school, provided they are trying. Let them know you WANT to help them.
- Keep full control.
- Discourage tattling.
- Make positive statements as often as possible.
- Stop unwanted noise as soon as it starts.
- At the beginning of the school year, hold firm to classroom rules. It is easier to let up than tighten up.
- Give clear, concise behavior rules at the first of school. Stick to them.
- Reprimand a student in private whenever possible and feasible.
- Do not threaten students but do explicitly spell out the consequences of their negative behavior.
- Assign punishment impersonally and justly.
- Have a regular order of procedure. Be open, approachable and friendly.
- Let each student feel your interest. Be genuine. Allow for various abilities as well as interests in making assignments.
- Follow through and SMILE OFTEN, and before December!