Skyward Teaching

How do I manage classroom behavior?

Before we get to how you manage classroom behavior, let’s make one thing perfectly clear (in case the world didn’t know). Being a teacher can be difficult. Besides educating students of all academic levels, you also have meetings to attend, trainings to complete, and grades to upkeep.

It’s already a full time job.

However, teachers are also being asked to do another task that can actually end up taking a lot of time—managing classroom behavior.

With all the great things you’re already doing as a teacher, here are 10 quick tips to keeping your class in order, and your stress levels down.

**Before you read, here is just a reminder that this is not a full list on how to manage classroom behavior. If you have more ideas, drop them in a comment below!**

**And check out my FREE behavior documentation form on TpT here! This resource was created to make documenting behaviors and resolutions simple and efficient**

How to Manage Classroom Behavior

Tip #1: Be Up Front About Expectations

Before you can effectively manage classroom behavior, the students need to know what you’re looking for. Give a few clear statements about what you expect. Make sure it is very specific.

• “Stand up straight, and walk quietly down the hall.”
• “Keep your heads up, using your finger to follow along as I’m reading.”
• “Stay in your seat. If you need to get out of your seat for any reason, you will need to raise your hand and wait for me to call on you.”

Tip #2: Prepare for the Next Activity Beforehand

Any time you need to change activities, make sure you have the attention of every student in the room. This could be when you are lining up, coming back into the classroom, or switching subjects. State exactly what they will need to grab, and what they will need to start doing. If they are opening a book, tell them what page it will be on.

Before I let my students enter the classroom from the hallway (after recess, specials, or lunch), I always tell them what they need to do as soon as they get into the classroom.

For example, I will tell them,

“When we go in, you are going straight to your desk and getting out your flashcards. Then, practice quietly on your own.”

On difficult days, I might tell them:

Honestly, it might sound like it takes a lot of time, but taking time to prepare them has actually saved more time than it’s taken.

When looking at managing your classroom behavior, remember this: Never transition without making sure that everyone knows what is coming next.

Tip #3: Create a Class Economy to Manage Classroom Behavior

Class economies are a double-edged sword when it comes to managing your classroom. When done wrong, a class economy can demotivate students, because they feel they are being bribed. This can really mess up your classroom management. BUT when done correctly, classroom economies can boost morale, making classroom management (more of) a cinch.

• Pick a currency (tickets, tokens, fake money, etc.)
• Set clear ways students can earn the currency (turning in homework, completing assignments, being on task for the whole day, etc.)
• Have prizes for students to spend the currency on (lunch in the classroom, stickers, and many other items)

***Don’t pay the students for random things. If a student cleans up a mess another student left in the bathroom, for example, they should NOT get paid for that. They should get your praise, but don’t pay them. This is because paying them for doing the right things cheapens the experience. Let them feel the great satisfaction of doing something above and beyond, just for the sake of helping others. That’s the best reward they can receive. ***

Tip #4: Keep Parents Informed from the Beginning

Parents want to be a part of their students’ school lives. They want to know if their student is struggling in any way. As soon as a problem is noticed, a quick call home is the perfect way to set your student up for success. It also helps you establish a good connection with the families of the students.

Make sure the parents know you are coming from a place of concern for the student.

Tip #5: Set Firm but Fair Consequences to Manage Classroom Behavior

While we can’t force students to read something, follow directions, or listen to us, there is a lot we can do in positive ways. Here are some ideas you can try:

Talking:

• Let students begin the day with 5 tokens. These tokens can be their “talking tokens.” When students talk out of turn, or cause small disruptions (this does not include power struggles), simply take a token from their desk. You don’t need to say anything (because they already know), just walk by and grab one. Reward students who have tokens at the end of the day by giving them some of the classroom currency (have a set amount).

When students choose not to work:

• If a student chooses to play during class instead of doing work, then it is sensible to ask them to work during their usual play time. At recess, have the student sit down with you and finish their work. Once they have completed the work, of course, let them play!

Tip #6: Document Everything

When people say, “manage classroom behavior,” they usually think of making sure that the issue is dealt with. However, you should also make to type up any information you might need later. Write the date, the time, the place, the students involved, and all the details you possibly can of each incident.

Talk about things as they happened (facts only-keep it objective), and don’t add any “apparent” feelings (subjective), such as “he seemed like he was going to burst.”

If your district has a Student Code of Conduct document, use it as your guide. Most districts will generally agree on how they categorize the different levels of misbehaviors. If not, consider asking your building administrator about your school’s behavior policies.

Here is a document I created using a district’s code of conduct that makes it easy to record actions/consequences. Check it out here.

Tip #7: Trust, but Verify

Students are not all naïve. Some students have learned that crying will allow them to receive a lesser punishment. There are many students who are sneaky and have learned to lie expertly. Others have learned that if they complain enough, the adult will acquiesce to their demands. Choose to be the adult that lifts them above that.

Do this by trusting in them, but also asking verifying questions. If they say something happened, believe them. But be fair and actually verify their words.

Also, remember that you’ve already chosen the rules, and you’ve already set the consequences. Let them choose their consequences by their actions. You must be firm and not change your consequences for the actions.

Tip #8: It’s Not All About Rewards

I am a big proponent of having a class economy in order to help manage classroom behavior. After all, adults go to work, do good work, get paid, and get to buy things. Shouldn’t students start to understand that now through experience?

However, I also believe that students should be expected to follow the rules, without expecting a reward for it. After all, just because you go the extra mile at work every once in a while doesn’t mean you get a paid bonus.

If students go above and beyond and you really feel it was insanely impressive, great. Reward them with your words of praise. This way, your classroom economy stays balanced:

• Good students follow rules, do their work and get paid.
• Misbehaving students don’t follow rules, don’t do their work, and don’t get paid.

The good students are already being rewarded.

Students may try to make you feel like it is unfair, and you may be tempted to throw in an extra chance for the misbehaving student to get the tickets (or other currency). But the economy is fair, and giving them this chance would then make it unfair.

In all things, when you need to manage classroom behavior, remember that a fair teacher does not make sure that each student gets the exact same payment, rewards, or consequences. Instead, make sure that each student has the same opportunity to receive those rewards through their own hard work and effort.

Tip #9: Reward On-task Students with Attention

Each student deserves the chance to succeed, and this takes the time and attention of the teacher.

Make sure that those who are putting the most into your classroom get your attention, celebration, and praise.

When you have students that try to take all your attention (through disruptive behavior), make it clear that:

• “I don’t allow anyone else to blurt out answers, so I can’t let you do that either.”
• “Everyone is diligently working on their own. I expect you to try these on your own as well.”

And then walk away, letting them mull it over.

Tip #10: Find Other Staff Members Who Believe in You

My coworkers are the reason I learned all these great tips and tricks, so I can definitely say this last one is important.

Find common ground with your colleagues. Search for the ones who treat you like a fellow professional, and spend your time deliberating and discussing issues and solutions with them. They will give you worthy ideas. They will work to help you in whatever your situation.

Article in Review: How to Manage Classroom Behavior

You do so much as an educator. It’s a wonderful thing you are doing. Here are 10 tips that can help you orient yourself in you classroom behavior management.

1. Be Upfront About Expectations
2. Prepare Students for the Next Activity Before Transitioning
3. Create a Class Economy
4. Keep Parents Informed from the Beginning
5. Set Firm but Fair Consequences
6. Document Everything
7. Trust, but Verify
8. It’s Not All About Rewards
9. Reward On-Task Students with Attention
10. Find Others Who Believe in You

Comment Below on How You Manage Classroom Behavior!

• What systems do you have in place in your classroom to encourage good behavior and discourage misbehavior?
• How do you set clear expectations and consequences with your students?