Classroom management can make or break you. Yes, I said it! One of the most valuable things I’ve learned over the years is that the little things matter a lot! Small routines that remain consistent, little reminders, and quiet acknowledgments are the simple things that make the difference between having a well-managed classroom and coordinated chaos.
One way to incorporate a simple routine that works is by using a few consistent rules and routines that are reinforced often and explicitly. I usually have two rules in my room: be safe and be respectful. I will highlight actions that exemplify these rules. I do this often and explicitly through the first month of school (and then I get busy and don’t do it as often as I should!), and this helps set the tone for a well-managed classroom.
At the end of the day, most rules are going to fall under the safety category or the respect category. They pretty much cover everything!
For example, little things can make a big difference in the kind of experience you’ll have with your students over the course of the year. A quiet reminder to “lower your voice and be respectful to other students who need quiet” will go a long way toward achieving your ultimate goal of sustaining a reasonable volume in the room, as opposed to the alternative, which is raising your voice in order to get them to lower theirs. I promise this works… with the caveat that it must be consistently reinforced.
Simple does not mean easy, but it does mean being intentional about the small things that you reinforce regularly in order to manage your room and achieve the results you want!
Also, routines can alleviate stress because students know exactly what to expect. The resource below changed my room for the better when I used it in my 5th grade classroom. Students love tapping the light to let others know they are in the bathroom and they feel safe knowing the light is there to alert others. Would you use this?
Classroom management can make or break you. Small routines that remain consistent, little reminders, and quiet acknowledgments are the simple things can make the difference between having a well-managed classroom and coordinated chaos.
Wishing you the best year!
Thanks for reading! -Elena The Left-Handed Teacher
