One of the most difficult things during the beginning of your teaching career can be maintaining control of your classroom. With so many different learning styles and behaviors, managing your classroom can be tough! Here are 5 classroom management tips for new teachers that will save your sanity and help your kids know who’s in charge!
Classroom Management Tip #1: Don’t smile until Christmas is a myth.
When I started teaching, I heard from more than one veteran teacher that I should start the year strict and firm. In fact, I shouldn’t show my fun-loving side at all. “Don’t smile until Christmas” is literally the WORST advice. Let your students know you are human, have fun with them, and show them that your classroom is a safe place to be by starting each day with a smile.
Classroom Management Tip #2: Give students jobs.
Having students have their own classroom roles not only saves you time, it also build community and responsibility. Let your students know they are important members of your classroom. You can include jobs like paper passer, technology manager, librarian, and more! Rotate jobs to let every student have their own special role. My New Teacher Masterclass has more than $200 worth of bonus materials, including a classroom job kit, attention grabbers, and a back to school checklist!
Classroom Management Tip #3: Introduce rules early and revisit often.
Primary and elementary students don’t necessarily retain rules and procedures the first time they hear them. Introduce classroom rules on day one, and revisit them daily by putting them on Google Slides or having easy, readable reminders at their desks. Give students grace but correct behaviors quickly when they aren’t meeting expectations early on.
Classroom Management Tip #4: Build relationships.
Smiling is great, but also ask students questions and get to know them. When students know you care, classroom management becomes so much easier! Students who feel respected are more likely to be respectful and follow the rules. Think about the teachers you had that had the most inviting classrooms. They had rules in place so everyone felt safe and learned, but at the same time, they probably allowed for personalities to shine through conversations and individualization. Start each day with a morning meeting to build community and see how your students are doing!
Classroom Management Tip #5: Enlist the help of veteran teachers.
One thing I found that many teachers I respected had under control, was classroom management. Sometimes when I found myself struggling, I would ask them for help. I really wish, however, that I had resources available to help me year-round (even in the summer when I was studying my craft)! I love the New Teacher Masterclass because it has 10 modules of videos and resources for new teachers, including classroom management. New teachers are so excited to dive in at their own pace and review the resources they need to get more help. It saves them so much time and keeps them growing as teachers!
Classroom management is something every teacher has struggled with at one time or another. Check out these 5 classroom management tips for new teachers and start building respectful, caring relationships in your amazing classroom.
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