Elementary teachers--How do you establish authority in your class?

Question

Hi all, I am a preschool teacher studying to make the move into elementary teaching. I am conducting a little research on the following questions (they are related):

How can I establish rules and authority in my classroom when I am not a commanding and authoritative person?

How can I make mutual respect and feelings of safety and community a motivator for good behavior?

How can I create an atmosphere of safety, comfort, and openness with my students?

Your anwers will be so appreciated. Let me know your credentials, also, if you don't mind sharing.

Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

I was in a very similar situation. I went from teaching 3 year olds to seventh graders--yikes! Over the last ten years of teaching, I've moved beyond the culture shock and into a comfortable way of dealing with students. Now I'm in elementary school with sixth graders, and enjoying it immensely.

I found that I needed to develop a certain level of authority with the students. For this, I recommend Fred Jones' Tools for Teaching. You can go to the website or buy the book. It will be a wonderful investment! Fred Jones talks about how to get command of the class. He makes proximity control an art form, and his book will help you to examine your "fight or flight" instinct and how to establish good routines. This will get you through some of the power struggles that you might face, especially with a difficult class.

But establishing authority is not all that you want to do. To create a community, you have to look at the Responsive Classrooms information. (Go to responsiveclassroom.org) They have amazing books about how to make your classroom a caring, nurturing place. The First Six Weeks of School is absolutely amazing--it goes through ideas for every day to create a positive classroom climate. The effort has paid off, and my sixth graders are more caring than any class I've had before.

Some things that you will want to take from your preschool experience? The key to effective classroom management in elementary school, just like preschool, is being proactive. Always think ahead with every lesson and imagine where the trouble spots will occur. Multisensory lessons are also needed at all elementary levels. Many teachers forget to use those great sensory activities, like sand and water and rice play, or to have interest centers in the classroom.

Answer 2

On the first day brainstorm with students what the rules should be and what the consequences will be if those rules are not followed. This way you have the kids buy into the rules.

Go over the same rules all week long and at the end of the week condense them into no more than four or five. Depending on the grade level, these rules will look different in each room, but come down to the same basic thing: mutual respect. For example: raising your hand to talk, keeping your hands to yourself, using kind words, all translate into RESPECT. Doing your best work, paying attention, staying in your seat might be condensed into something like RESPECT YOURSELF. You get the picture.

The previous writer already mentioned Wong, but there are other books on rules and authority that may be as effective. Get a new teacher classroom management how-to book and it will have something about rules and discipline in it. Classroom management is the key. Be well-prepared and establish routines that students can follow. Structure is important because it gives them a sense of security.

As long as you show you care about the students and treat them with respect, and remain consistent and fair, you will create a wonderful atmosphere.

Remember that praise goes a lot further than punishment, and that most kids thrive on positive attention.

Good luck. And I'm a teacher, too : )

Answer 3

First of all, congrats on the plans to become an elementary edu. teacher! Second, I suggest that you invest in the book "The First Days of School" by Harry and Rosemary Wong. It will answer all of your questions plus more.

As for the questions specifically, I will give them my best!

1. The best way to establish authority in your classroom is to start on the very first day of school with explaining the rules and procedures of the classroom. Taking the extra time on classroom management at the beginning will really make your classroom a better place for you and your students. The goal of classroom management is to have your classroom run like a "well oiled machine." The kids should have routines and stick to them. They should also have a solid set of ground rules to stick to. (No pencil sharpening after announcements, no bathroom breaks during class unless it's a dire emergency...) You get the idea. Avoid the "little things" and your life will be much easier.

2.-3. A good philosophy to adopt is the "classroom as a community" philosophy. You are in charge, but give the class a say in making the classroom rules and creating the consequences for breaking the rules. This is another one of the things that can be done at the beginning of the year. The students gain a sense of ownership of the rules and the classroom management process and they tend to be more receptive to obeying the rules. Also, be open with your students. The phrase "Because I said so!" is not going to foster open communication in your classroom. If someone is in trouble, explain why. If you do not want them doing something, explain why. And expect the same openness from them. For example, when something happens in my classroom, I tell my students that I will be less upset if they just tell me the truth now, rather than lying about it and me finding out about it later.

Good luck to you!

Answer 4

1. Regardless of what you are, you can and should act like a commanding and authoritative person. That doesn't mean being angry or tyrannical! It means acting like students should--and will--follow your orders if they are reasonable and presented politely. You'll be amazed at how quickly students bow to your authority when you act like they will.

2. First and foremost you must respect the students. They will model your behavior, so if they see you acting rude to students 'because they are just kids', then that's how they'll act to each other. Show you value mutual respect and most of them will value it too. (Most of the time; they're still children after all.)

3. Same as #2. Display the behavior you want from your students and that's what you'll get more often than not.

Answer 5

Read the book Assertive Discipline by Lee Canter. It's excellent!