CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

Classroom management includes the organization and operation of a classroom. Good classroom management enhances student learning. In a well-managed classroom, students know what they are expected to accomplish, and the organizational and instructional methods are designed to meet different learning needs and styles. Successful management is also dependent upon the

Teacher recognizing, interpreting, and responding to the changes, which occur daily in the classroom. The following suggestions are offered to assist the teacher in establishing an effective classroom management system.

PLANNING

1. Prepare for instruction thoroughly; plan for the content of the lesson/unit and also for the resources and equipment needed to support the lesson.

2. Plan activities so that students will have something to do as soon as class begins and activities to fill out any time remaining at the end of the period. These activities will provide time for the teacher to complete management tasks such as marking attendance and will greatly reduce discipline problems.

MEETING INDIVIDUAL NEEDS

1. In order to plan effective lessons, it is important to have educational data and other background information about your students. Some of this information can be found in students' personal files. It is also useful to have the class complete a student inventory at the beginning of the year.

2. Teachers must be aware of the differences and disabilities that students usually have and teacher should cater for these differences very carefully.

GROUPING OPTIONS

1. Students learn best when the teacher uses a variety of techniques, so vary methods from teacher-directed to group work and individual projects.

2. When having students work in groups, the teacher needs to stress what the group is expected to accomplish and the responsibility of each group member.

3. Groups may be organized in different ways. One way is to group students according to their skill level, including both high and low achieving students in each group. This will help provide more equality in performance throughout the class. At other times, students may choose their own groups.

CLASSROOM ARRANGEMENT AND STUDENT SEATING

1. By experimenting with different seating arrangements, the teacher can find one which complements the instructional organization. For example, in classrooms where group work is emphasized, students should be seated in a way they can shift easily from teacher directed activities to group activities.

2. The room should be arranged to allow the teacher to move freely to all parts of the room and for students to enter and exit the room quickly and efficiently.

3. Students who have physical disabilities such as hearing loss or visual difficulties must be given a seat in the front row. Teachers may change seating arrangements from time to time to allow all students to sit in various rows of their classes.

MANAGING STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

1. Establish classroom rules and expectations to create an effective and efficient classroom environment.

2. Involve students in establishing classroom rules because. They are more likely to follow rules they help to develop. Reach consensus with them in advance on the consequences of breaking the rules.

3. Limit the number of class rules. Three or two positive rules are sufficient.

4. Design rules that enhance student learning and state them in a language that students understand.

5. Print, display, distribute, and sign contracted rules with students.

6.  Be certain to make all school rules and regulations are a part of the classroom rules. Teachers must maintain written records of students who break rules and regulations, advise them in the first few instances and if no change of behavior is observed, report them to the respective supervisor.

7. Teachers are encouraged to communicate with parents regarding matters related to their child's discipline and academic performance and keep records of any such communication.

8. Teachers must encourage positive learning behavior and attitudes in students. They can get students to do various tasks such as read sections of textbooks, make notes, prepare flow charts, brainstorm, etc in preparation for following lessons. They need to be generous in praising good behavior and work and at the same time be equally quick in reprimanding unacceptable behavior and attitudes.

9. All teachers must maintain records of their work. They must mark student assignments and notes and hand them over promptly. They must maintain records of student attendance and performance, which should be made available to Supervisors/Principals on request.

10. Set aside some time during the first few days to explain to students the acceptable class procedures and expected behavior. The following are examples of some procedures and expectations: