Effective Strategies for Managing An Elementary Classroom for New Teachers
Effective classroom management is a critical aspect of teaching, especially in elementary classrooms where young students are still learning to regulate their behavior. For new teachers, professional development in classroom management should be the number one priority. Research has shown that effective management of discipline problems can significantly improve academic achievement, student behavior, and overall classroom culture (Orpinas & Horne, 2004). As a result, teachers must be prepared with successful strategies for working through classroom management. According to Zuckerman, here are some strategies new teachers can use:
Quick Classroom Changes for New Teachers
Changing the pace of the lesson: This can help keep students engaged and prevent downtime.
Utilizing a sequence of nonverbal to verbal strategies to communicate at the moment: This is the least disruptive and intrusive intervention.
Conferencing privately with students: This helps to address the root causes and teachers can work together to create solutions.
As a teacher, there are many essential elements to consider in order to create an effective learning environment for students. Lesson planning, preparation, clear classroom rules and norms building positive relationships, and addressing underlying classroom issues that may cause classroom disruption. All of these factors contribute to creating a successful and productive classroom experience for both students and teachers.
Strategies for a Productive Learning Environment:
Educational Innovation 360: Discipline Overview
Lesson planning, preparation, and execution: This includes using motivating, novel, and interactive activities that appeal to a wide range of learners, providing clear directions, and focusing on high-level thinking skills.
Defining and communicating clear classroom rules and norms: This includes soliciting oral "buy-in" from students and providing detailed explanations for the rationale for expectations and standards.
Building positive relationships with students: This includes getting to know students, taking time to talk to them, and not taking student antagonism and inaction personally.
Addressing underlying issues: This includes identifying and addressing underlying problems such as trauma, mental health concerns, or learning difficulties contributing to disruptive behavior.
Although it can sometimes become overwhelming, it is the teacher's goal to help students maintain their behavior rather than control it (Kontor et al., 2021). This means focusing on teaching students the skills and strategies to regulate their behavior rather than trying to control or suppress it. In the classroom, managing classroom behavior is essential to creating a positive and productive learning environment but if teachers struggle to manage their classroom it can cause teacher burnout, managing disruptive behavior can be emotionally and physically exhausting for teachers. It is important to have a support system and to take care of one's well-being to avoid burnout.
New Teacher Support for Classroom Management
Effective classroom management is essential for creating a conducive learning environment and as a new teacher, it takes some work as well as consistent practice. As teachers, we must maintain consistency to avoid confusing or frustrating students and ensure that clear rules and consequences are in place to create a sense of stability. Also staying in communication with your students, families, and other teachers. It is critical to foster a supportive environment. We must always remember that- over-reliance on punishment and candy rewards is not a sustainable strategy; we need a balance of prevention and positive reinforcement to help students regulate their behavior effectively. Finally, work with your resources, counselors, and caring community to address underlying issues such as trauma, mental health concerns, or learning difficulties. many times veteran teachers, coaches, and colleagues can provide support and brainstorm solutions.
References
Glasgow, N. A., & Hicks, C. D. (Eds.). (2009). What successful teachers do: 101 research-based classroom strategies for new and veteran teachers. Corwin Press.
Kontor Owusu, M., Yusuf Dramanu, B., & Owusu Amponsah, M. (2021). Classroom Management Strategies and Academic Performance of Junior High School Students. International Journal of Education and Management Engineering, 11(6), 29–38. https://doi.org/10.5815/ijeme.2021.06.04
Orpinas, P., & Horne, A. M. (2004). A teacher-focused approach to prevent and reduce students' aggressive behavior. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 26(1), 29–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2003.09.016