Research-Backed Strategies for Better Classroom Management

When students act out in class, it can be challenging to find positive ways to address their behavior. Here's what the research suggests works best.

Follow us here:

#studentwellness #classroommanagement #backtoschool #teachertips

© 2020 George Lucas Educational Foundation

[jacobkimble]

Some points this video makes are very good, such as building positive relationships and avoiding public confrontation. Greetings at the door and taking time to get to know students are wonderful ways to develop a positive climate, and that certainly does reduce a lot of potential behavioral problems.

HOWEVER, ignoring "small" infractions is a all-too-common but dangerous practice. Ignoring it inherently sends the message that such behavior is acceptable when it is not. Whereas, if you catch those "small" behaviors immediately and address them anonymously/privately with a minor consequence, in many cases that'll be all you have to do. If you ignore the small behaviors, they will likely grow into larger ones that require greater intervention later on, as children push to see how much more they can get away with.

Here's an example of a an anonymous intervention with a small consequence. For background, the children are sitting at the rug while the teacher is reading a story. Two kids in the back are whispering to each other and giggling, clearly disregarding and disrespecting the teacher. The teacher has in place a strike system where one strike is one minute of recess, but children have the opportunity to fix their behavior and get their strike taken away. All the children are used to this system and have the background knowledge described above. So, all the teacher needs to do is say:

"Uh oh, I see two friends talking. They know who they are. That's a strike. I'll be watching to see if they are fixing it while I continue the story."

And that's it. The teacher spent five seconds addressing the misdemeanor and giving the consequence. Then she went right back to reading the story. There was no public humiliation, arguing, or confrontation; nor was the bad behavior tolerated.

[eslcindy]

Great positive video for a great start to a new school year. Thanks Edutopia!

[lydiacornwall]

Clear and concise, I like this video.

[sitiisminarni]

Great, it helps us to face our students well. thank you

[characterformation]

Awesome! Very helpful for my content. Thank you so much!

[cindyobiena]

Good day! May I ask permission if I can use this video for our LAC session. Thank you in advance!

[plerpplerp]

In my experience, if you treat your students with caring and respect, then that's what you get back.

So called "classroom management" techniques are all about getting the students to yield to your command as a teacher. But is that really necessary? Do you have to run your class like a boot camp? I don't think so.

[kaseymiller]

Informative video. Might want to correct your misspelling of the word "validation" on your one slide. 😉

[faithfulpoet]

Things not to do:
1. Responding to Surface-Level Behavior
2. Assuming it’s not an Academic Problem (confusing instructions or too difficult)
3. Confronting Every Minor Misbehavior
4. Public Shaming
5. Expecting Compliance (demanding compliance) [insist build rapport]
6. Not Checking Personal Biases

[jshir]

In my experience, I've seen classroom 'management' weaponized against shy, disabled, or minority students by which the teacher antagonizes them or delegates verbal abuse to the classroom bully to do it on her behalf to the marginalized student. They gaslight the student for the sole purpose of provoking them so they can punish them and then blame them for it.