05.11.07
Classroom Management Teacher forum 29th October 2007.
The aim of the forum was that each person that attended would leave with at least one new idea, strategy or use of language that they could practically apply in the classroom on a supply teaching assignment.
The conclusions of the event produced the following Top tips which are concisely presented cafeteria style to enable you to pick and chose from them, as you would in a cafeteria. Please take what you think will work for you and suit your individual teaching style and the age range or subject that you teach.
- THE ‘NAME’– who in the school commands the respect of the pupils? FIND OUT – this information could be used in the following way: ‘pupil’ throws object – you can say – please could you explain to ‘name’ at break time how that kind of behaviour is appropriate and they will explain it to me (you may need several names such as year heads or department heads)
- REWARD/SANCTION SYSTEMS – FIND OUT – using the systems that pupils are familiar with will enable you to ‘fit-in’ more readily – if there is no apparent system in place explain yours
- PRAISE – everything and everyone possible e.g.’s ‘neat writing’ (simple – now walk away) ‘nice pen’ (simple – now walk away) ‘your poster is going to be great – it’s good your obviously planning it carefully in your head first’ (for the pupil that hasn’t produced much work yet) ‘great trainers, I want some like that – do you have a note for wearing them now?’
- THROW AWAY COMMENTS – these can be used for the negative and the positive – e.g. ‘take your cap off please’ (quietly so only the cap wearer hears and walk away – the psychology of this is that your expectation is very apparent with no room for argument) ‘ you’re really cracking on with your work – thanks’ (quietly and walk away)
- LEARN NAMES – there are many ways of doing this – doing it is the key – even if you only learn a few it demonstrates that you are taking an interest
- POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT – give away as many merits, house points, commendation slips, … as is possible as soon as possible to reinforce positive behaviour
- PROVOCATIVE PUPIL – explain quietly to the pupil that you have not attended that school on that occasion to fall out with someone that you did not even know existed before the bell went – that you actually attended the school on that occasion to help people achieve and to learn something – that you will not accept inappropriate behaviour from them ( ‘what happens next’ from this point is up to your professional judgement of the individual situation)
- HUMOUR – the use of humour has been suggested to be an excellent professional tool in teaching if you are happy being the butt of a few jokes yourself
- ACTIVITES – always have some kind of activity for pupils to do – if desperate one of the following examples may be suitable: 1) right a number on the board and ask the pupils to make the number using all four functions (this can be adapted according to the ability and age of the pupils – 2) right a phrase on the board (anything is fine – relate it to the lesson if possible) e.g. ‘ACCIENT GREEK CULTURE’ and ask the pupils to make as many words as possible using the letters in the phrase – there are many suitable activities that are readily available free online to complement your existing menagerie
- QUIZES – healthy competition is the motivating force that is harnessed during a quiz which are obviously excellent assessment tools also
If you have top tips about classroom management we would love to hear about them. Also If you would like a teacher forum on a particular topic then please let us know what it is. Please contact your local branch to discuss this.
