So hopefully you've an idea of how to go about your planning and preparation after the last post. Now you need to get your classroom management and classroom organisation sorted.
As regards classroom management, that's a very personal thing. Some teachers like different things, others don't like something else. One thing I will say is, whatever you choose as your method of classroom management: BE CONSISTENT! The children will respond better to your consistency and the routine will help all children understand it.
As regards classroom management, that's a very personal thing. Some teachers like different things, others don't like something else. One thing I will say is, whatever you choose as your method of classroom management: BE CONSISTENT! The children will respond better to your consistency and the routine will help all children understand it.
There are so many variations of ways to manage routines and procedures in the classroom - for example - lining up, handing out books, rewards and sanctions, etc. I'm going to share a couple of ideas with you here and you can see what things you'd like and find some more information about them yourself. I'm going to spend quite a while in the first few weeks teaching these routines and procedures as I feel this will help matters down the line!
Speaking of line - Lining up is an important skill to teach, not only for your sanity, but for health and safety reasons. I've found that during fire drills and assemblies, children who can line up properly tend to make a quicker and safer entry and exit. There are so many ways of sorting your line out. You could have designated places, so each child has a number and they stick there for the week/month/term, with the line leader changing each week. You could also use chants or visuals to help children remember their behaviour in the lines. There's lots of cute ideas online for this type of thing:
Classroom jobs are something the children love! The sense of responsibilty they feel and the sense of pride it gives them is so sweet! A nice way to display them can be done quite simply, or as elaborately as you'd like - all depends on your creativity and interest!
I always have Table Captains in my classroom or people designated with handing out books, organising school supplies for their table (rubbers, pencils, etc) and I found it has worked very well!
Speaking of supplies - I have organised all of the children's supplies in two plastic baskets - one for stationery like pencils, rubbers, crayons, etc. and the other for their copybooks. The tubs on the above right are amazing and I wish I had gotten more of them! They are available in Mr. Price and are perfect for storing pencils, rubbers, sharpeners, colours, copy books, etc and can easily be moved from shelf to desk with the handle. I love them!!
As regards behaviour management, I have seen so many different varieties, and to be honest, it is quite a personal thing - whatever works for you. I have found that a school-wide behaviour management strategy works fantastically well. The staff and children are all singing off the same hymn sheet - they all know the rules, they are displayed throughout the school, everybody is using the same language, there is continuity from class to class, the rules follow through for the yard, the consequences/sanctions are clear and standardised. Rules and rewards should be clearly displayed throughout the school, for all the school community to see and to be aware of.
As regards behaviour management, I have seen so many different varieties, and to be honest, it is quite a personal thing - whatever works for you. I have found that a school-wide behaviour management strategy works fantastically well. The staff and children are all singing off the same hymn sheet - they all know the rules, they are displayed throughout the school, everybody is using the same language, there is continuity from class to class, the rules follow through for the yard, the consequences/sanctions are clear and standardised. Rules and rewards should be clearly displayed throughout the school, for all the school community to see and to be aware of.
It is then important to have classroom rules or a class promise, which I intend on doing this week with my new class. These classroom rules should be created in consultation with the children, and each child should clearly understand the rules. They should also be in keeping with the school policy on behaviour and in line with the Golden Rules. The rules should be consistent, and upheld at all times and for all children. Some children, with SEN, may require an additional individual rules/reward system, and that is something you should complete in consultation with the child's previous teacher, and possibly their support teacher or SNA.
Reward systems can again vary from class to class. Some are suitable for junior classes, other suitable for older ones. Again, this is quite a personal one and will depend on your class and the children in it.
Class Dojo is quite popular. I used it last year, and while it worked for a while, I found it very difficult to keep up and eventually, it fizzled out! It can be a great way to reward behaviour, and the children love it, but I just found it very time consuming.
Class Dojo is quite popular. I used it last year, and while it worked for a while, I found it very difficult to keep up and eventually, it fizzled out! It can be a great way to reward behaviour, and the children love it, but I just found it very time consuming.
I love the idea of Mr. Potato head!! If you had one in your classroom already, it might be a nice whole class incentive, for maybe five minutes of extra PE.
As regards arranging the children's books and copies, it will all depend on your classroom size and the furniture/storage available to you. I have found keeping the children's books in bundles on shelves or in cabinets to be the best way of storing them safely, avoiding clutter and mess! Other teachers prefer to store the children's books in individual boxes or baskets, or perhaps in bundles on the desks. As always, whatever works best for you is what you should go with! I recently spotted this idea (left), I think it was Magic Múinteoir, who suggested taping the edges of children's copy books with different coloured insulating tape to identify them (so green for handwriting, red for Maths, etc) which I think is a brilliant idea. It is also helpful for children who may have organisational difficulties. |
So, I'm going to leave things there. As always, these are ideas, guidelines, things to help you. I'm in no way an expert, nor do I claim to be. But, if I can help, or if you have any questions, please ask! I'm here to help :)
Now to finish organising my own classroom :) x
Now to finish organising my own classroom :) x