Classroom Management Question For Teachers ONLY?

Question

If you are a teacher and the majority of your students have behavioral problems and act up every day, does that mean that you do not have good classroom management skills?

Answer 1

No it does not

also classroom management does not mean that you get all students to stop doing anything that is against the rules and that they perform like proper respectful children...

classroom management means that your able to direct their behaviors to minimize conflict and increase production...

for example... instead of trying to punish an ADHD child for a manifestation of this problem... you simply find ways to manage the behavior... maybe they are the students who get up and get stuff or pass things out...or maybe when you see ol' Johnny Rotten get ancy you have him do something to reduce that energy... (physical exercise and stretching periodically works wonders, it improves focus, concentration, and relieves stress)

try teaching math while playing physical games... keeping score, calculating percentages, formulating strategies for winning, estimation, etc... lots of cross curricular ideas..

the key is manage... not control... teach with routine... expectations... and allow for exceptions but do not let them be expected ... the most important thing is to teach responsibility...

if students have behavior problems... acting up is expected... do not try to stop or control it in that fashion but direct the energy

this may require a shift in your thoughts or practices...

read Glasser Choice Theory and Reality Therapy

PERSEVERE

Answer 2

My experience was that many times the parents would blame me for the way their child was behaving, and the school board, too, seemed to think I was not managing my classroom well because when there was a substitute, everything seemed to go fine. When I finally quit teaching, I found it interesting to note that the new teacher of those same students had the same problems with that student. I had to keep on my toes to maintain what little order I had, and I was constantly re-evaluating to see if there was any other way to do better (and doing as you're doing -asking other teachers) to no avail. I have come to the conclusion that occasionally it may be the teacher's fault, but most times, the problem lies with the student (or perhaps his/her parents!)

Answer 3

I completed my student teaching recently and will have my first job in the fall. I was exactly like you: not annoyed enough to correct students' behavior. Then I came to a realization that changed my attitude. You need to correct students who are misbehaving for the sake of the students who are behaving. What I mean is that the student who is acting out is distracting/bothering/annoying the 25 other students who are doing the right thing. Those 25 students deserve a good education free of distractions and disruptions and it's your job to make that happen. Also, once you let one kid get away with something, many others will start to do it too. Do you have classroom rules now? If not, it would be a good time to implement some. Tell the kids that you realize things aren't always working smoothly and you think that the class should make some rules and consequences together. If you choose them together, the kids will have more of a stake in it. If you already have rules, it would be a good time to revise them as a class using the same rationale. Good luck! And congratulations for entering the profession! What do you teach?

Answer 4

It either means your classroom management skills or weak, or you have a tough group of students. Either way, alterations will need to be made to your classroom managment strategies.

I've been teaching for several years and, from year to year, the whole dynamic of my class changes. I think I have decent classroom management skills overall-- most years, my class is very well-behaved. There ahve been a couple of years where it seemed like anything I tried didn't work.

There are 2 main reasons for classroom management problems 1) kids being confused and not knowing what to do... and 2) kids being bored.

Here's a few things that work for me:

1) Routine, routine, routine. Follow the same patterns every day in your classroom--- examples: bellwork; routines for collecting homework; routines for assigning projects; routines for dismissal.... everything needs a routine. l ensure that kids always know what is expected of them.

2) Use lots and lots and lots of classroom management strategies. Give lots of praise and lots of rewards for good behaviors. Be sure your rules are spelled out clearly and be sure appropriate consequences are given when rules are broken.

3) Have a sense of humor. For some reason, kids will respect you when they think you're funny, edgy, or you stimulate their thinking. They're never "mad" at you when you make them smile. They (usually) don't like to upset teqachers that make them laugh.

There's a classroom management eBook that I read about a year ago... it really had some great ideas in it that helped me. It's magic classroom management. You can find it here: http://www.superteacherworksheets.com/books.html Maybe it can help you.

Good luck to you.

Answer 5

Hardly. By definition, students with behavioral problems are a challenge to manage effectively in the classroom -- by themselves! In situations where the majority have behavioral problems it can task even the most creative and resourceful of teachers to deal with them effectively.

Answer 6

Tough to say. I have a very tough group of kids this year, and find myself questioning myself quite a bit.

However, I have been told by fellow teachers, parents, adminstrators, and even the students that I'm doing a great job with this group.

I'm a strong believer in the "Bermuda Triangle" theory...if you have up to three students who require "above and beyond" attention for behavior, it is usually maintainable. When you end up with four (or more, in my case), the job becomes much more difficult.

However, it doesn't change the accountability of the teacher...and regardless of who is in that class, you have to maintain the level of control, respect, and responsibility in the class to the best of you ability.

Answer 7

Not necessarily, but it is what you are often led to believe. Sometimes you are just handed a rough group, sometimes the problem is that you need to reevaluate your classroom management skills. How does the group behave for other teachers? That should give you a clue.

Answer 8

No, not necessarily. You could just be at a failing school full of young heathens who are used to getting away with acting up all the time. I spent a year teaching in such a hellhole, and then I switched schools (and districts). My advice to you is to do the same.

Answer 9

not at all
it means that they re playing up
just be consistent and firm

Answer 10

I am eager to answer your Ques but I am not a teacher ...........