The TEACHER Corner: Classroom Management. Secret Formulas Revealed

“Ive learned a lot inside the four walls of my classroom. Lessons I will bring with me in the next chapter of journey as a learner.” These are some of the words oftenly heared during a graduation ceremony from a class topnotcher. But on the other hand, there are some students that may say ”…


“Ive learned a lot inside the four walls of my classroom. Lessons I will bring with me in the next chapter of journey as a learner.” These are some of the words oftenly heared during a graduation ceremony from a class topnotcher. But on the other hand, there are some students that may say ” I learn nothing.” Words that saddened and dampen the spirit of an educator.

Yes, they may bring and give us gray areas on our teaching strategies, but rather than being a low-spirited missionary of education, we can choose to be otherwise. It can be a source of reflection towards process, and continuous improvement of teaching styles and classroom management.

Every successful teacher knew that to every situation, there is a specific formula that can be applied to properly address the concern, especially if things are becoming outdated. Classroom Management is defined as the variety of skills and techniques used to keep the students organized, focused, orderly, attentive, on task, and productive on class. (Great Schools Partnership, The Glossary of Educational Reforms, 2014)

On the other hand, Mia Macmeekin did a follow up on her book entitled, 27 Ways to Respond when Students Dont. She included the 27 Classroom Management Strategies to Keep Things Fresh. She stipulated 9 powerful formulas and combinations each composed of three steps to ensure proper classroom management. Lets get started and be Fresh:

 

1. Lead-Practice-Engage.

  Lead: Always know that your mantra is to lead. Bear in mind that “I am the teacher.”

  Practice: Set Rules. Practice Consistency. Strict adherence to consequences.

  Engage: Involve the students in creating the “Best Practices.” So they will be motivated to be excellent.

2. Demonstrate-Play-Switch

  Demonstrate: Respect. Show respect and acknowledge uniqueness in your students the way you wanted to be respected.

  Play: Play some games. Half of the class will follow rules, the other half will break the rules. Set the importance of rules and obeying it.

  Switch: If students continue to violate rules, switch places. It is through this strategy that they will develop empathy.

3. Signal-Write-Communicate

  Signal: Have a signal that shows that students are off task and not following directions.

  Write: List down your expectations from the class and expected outcome.

  Communicate: Tell the students about your expectations in a creative way, in a way students will not feel coerced or forced.

4. Team Up-Observe-Ask

  Team Up: Team up with other colleagues in the classroom.

  Observe: Go and observe other teachers on how they deal with students in an effective manner.

  Ask: Ask a co-teacher to observe you and the techniques used in teaching. Note observations and suggestions, if any.

5. Reward-Motivate-Show

  Reward: Do appreciate your students for a good job. Reward system may also be applied. Small tokens can go a long way.

  Motivate: Give them a good share of motivation – Everyday. Be a source of inspiration rather than destruction.

  Show: Make them realize that they are studying to become good citizens of the country and productive individuals.

6. Break-Video-Group

  Break: Break and intercede with the bad habits of the students.

  Video: Record one of your classroom and topic discussion. As one class, watch the video together and cite some observations. Praise good behaviors and correct bad attitudes.

  Group: Give each one of the class a care group, to keep them engaged. Formulate one objective per group and track down activities to attain the goals.

7. Learn-Listen-Watch

  Learn: Know the triggers and situation that divides the class. Avoid them as much as possible, but if the situation calls for confrontation, do it in a very acceptable way.

  Listen: Lend your students an open heart and emphatic ear. It is only by listening that thy feel genuine concern from an educator.

  Watch: Be a keen observer, note activities that encouraged participation from the class.

 

8. Mediate-Pause-Quiz

  Mediate: Learn the act of mediation and involve the students. Make them realize the value of mediation and peace in the classroom.

  Pause: If time calls for it, regroup the class to enhance and foster good relationship with each other.

  Quiz: switch to a good quiz, to know and gauge what your students learn from you. Allow some “alone-time” to your students.

9. Back Up-Escape-Expect

  Back Up: As an educator, know that having a back up plan is a must. In case things became chaotic, you can easily adapt and thrive.

  Escape: At one point, as teachers, we need to escape from our lessons and go back to where you will catch up with students.

  Expect: always see the good side of the students, and expect excellence!

Whatever situation we are in in classroom management, we will always go back to the basic reason of our existence as educators, “to mold the future of our society – Today!” Nothings beats the fact that we are the avenue by which students can forward themselves to realizing their dreams and goals in life. Effective classroom management, is a factor to ensure that every classroom will be filled with learnings, experiences, and moments that will resound even after decades have passed, thus every student will be motivated to leave their legacy on a place called – Classroom.

By: Dusty Morales-Mangila | Teacher II | Limay National High School | Limay, Bataan