Classroom management

Today, I would like to summarise the webinar on classroom management. Firstly, I need to conclude that it was very useful because I had a chance to see many practical strategies and techniques. Classroom management is a collection of techniques that teachers use to encourage effective learning by minimising distractions and disruptions. It includes time management, transitions between activities, relations with students, as well as discipline and respect. According to the presenter, learning cannot happen without discipline. Students who are disruptive affect teachers, but also other pupils. Classroom discipline can be maintained by taking care of a good rapport and setting clear expectations. Teachers should also set clear educational goals which will be useful for learners and their parents. It might be also helpful to prepare small printable version for each student. Besides, teachers should also remember about clear and simple instructions, avoid complex sentences and add as many gestures as possible. 

Additionally, it is recommended for teachers to get to know their students including adopting the topic to students age, gaining their trust and respect, but also noticing their needs and interests. Students may have short attention span, be active or respond well to praising. Besides, it is also significant to consider syllabus, classroom routines (greeting, unpacking, going to the toilet, handouts, cleaning/packing), class contract and to explain the consequences of breaking rules.

Moreover, the speaker claims that the implementation of a behavioural chart may encourage positive behaviour. The topic of seating arrangements is also discussed including the suggestions of adapting the classroom to teacher's needs, as well as not being afraid of moving tables and chairs. Furthermore, it is also advised to use sticky notes to write positive comments for students or notes for parents. Teachers can use a clock, timer or stopwatch including creative online versions with a bomb. The speaker suggests some useful tools to divide class into groups including wooden sticks with numbers (children choose sticks or a teacher selects accidental ones) and random name picker (online tool to select students).

Solutions and advice for a disruptive class:

- S-O-R-R-Y (write a single letter for every misbehaviour)

- avoid group 'punishment' (treat each student individually)

- do not lose your temper (be respectful but strict)

- do not wait too long to intervene (react immediately - nonverbal cues also count)

Children can use hand signs to inform the teacher about their needs. It might be particularly useful during individual work, so that other pupils are not distracted. Teachers could also use some signs to save their voices. 

                  

Songs and rhymes can be used as a part of classroom routines (hello, goodbye), as a part of smooth transition from one activity to another (sitting, reading, cleaning, packing), but also as a funny brain breaker.

Attention grabbers:

- Hocus Pocus - Everybody Focus

- Macaroni and cheese - Everybody Freeze 

- 1, 2, 3 eyes on me - 1, 2 eyes on you 

- Hands on top - that means stop 

- SALAMI - stop and look at me immediately 

Sit down

Clap your hands,

Stamp your feet,

Shake you hands, 

And go to your seat. 

Reading time

Hands go up and hands go down,

I can turn myself around

I can stand up on one shoe.

I can listen, so can you.

I can sit down, I will show you how

Story time is starting now!

Circle time

Make a circle, make a circle

Big and round, big and round.

Everybody hold hands, everybody hold hands.

Than sit down, than sit down.

Be quiet 

Magic finger in the air,

Magic finger everywhere!

Magic finger on your hips,

Magic finger on your lips.

Funny ways to say goodbye:

- see you later, alligator

- see you soon, raccoon

- out the door, dinosaur 

- give a hug, ladybug 

- take care, polar bear 

- in a while, crocodile

Are you using any songs or rhymes in your teaching? What are your favourite ones?

Angelika