What procedures and routines have you established to make classroom management more effective?

Question

I need descriptions of fun and practical elementary level classroom activities that you have used to help your classroom run more smoothly and efficiently. Thanks.

Please provide specific examples (and not theoretical) in your reponse.

Answer 1

Harry Wong is bogus.

Answer 2

I would borrow a copy of Harry Wong's book The First Days of School. It outlines methods to get the kids into structured routines they can rely on as part of their day. I spend time on it at the beginning of the year, and I really believe my students are well behaved year after year.

Some of the specific things I implement are:

1. Going over school-wide rules like hallway, lunchroom, and playground
2. Giving jobs to all students that help give them responsibility and relieve you of tasks they can help with.
3. Write a class community constitution that consists of three general rules they all want to follow(students brainstorm everything and you help guide them toward three rules that include all of their ideas)
4. Treat student with respect and praise them when they accomplish and they in turn will respect you and their classmates.
5. Be firm yet have a sense of humor and show them you care
6. Never use sarcasm in disciplining students. You'll regret it.
Good luck!

Answer 3

Build more learning corners!