The Schoolhouse: Classroom Management

Theses are some of the items I have had in schoolrooms I have been in. You don’t have to have all of these, it depends on location and situation but some of these might be appropriate for your schoolroom area.

Timer.. great for timing running, times tables and all sorts of things. Once you have one you use it heaps. More exact than the clock.

Paper shredder.. Great for cutting up paper for paper mache. Also good for making paper for mulch bins. The paper can also be used for packing up tapes, cd, etc top send back.

Guillotine.. Great for getting straight edges on all sorts of paper and cardboard. Also means you get square edges and is a whole lot quicker than cutting. You will use this both in and out of the schoolroom.

Whiteboard.. My preference is a white board over a chalkboard as it is easier to use and neater. You can also use a window as the whiteboard if you have some markers.

CD / tape player.. Something that can record your voice, as well as play music.

Spelling Dictionary.. Spelling dictionary are great for students whom aren’t keen on using a dictionary or aren’t good spellers. It just has the words no meanings. A lot smaller than normal dictionaries.

TV \ Video.. second hand is great. Makes it easier on everyone when the kids don’t have to leave the classroom to complete an activity. Less interruptions and if you have multiply kids then you don’t have to disrupt them or leave them alone.

Small Fridge.. It doesn’t have to be in the classroom but might be close by. In summer you can keep cold water, cups and ice blocks in it. You can also use it for experiments. I use to turn the one I had off in the winter, but I still stored the drinking water and cups in it for use.

Old Kitchen sink.. Sit it on a frame outside the classroom and near a tap. It makes an ideal place to clean up the paint equipment and let it dry. You can also have the water run into a garden bed so that you make the most of it. Good place for experiments too.

Keep a small filing folder on your desk in the schoolroom. In it, include all SOTA information e.g. contact numbers, class lists etc, computer info, e.g.. Centra booklets, ICT stuff, and activities for the kids if they finish early.

Make some word charts to put around the room that display word families. E.g. a light bulb with 'igh' words, a sheep with 'ee' words etc. Makes for more interesting walls.

Use old tablecloths, old pieces of clothing etc to cover tables/desks in the schoolroom. Stitch together scraps of fabric to create colourful covering to liven up the room. Hang a piece of fabric from the wall as an interesting backdrop when displaying kids' work.

Let children choose where to place their work on the walls or around the room. Gives them a sense of 'ownership' of their workspace.

Move the schoolroom furniture and wall posters around occasionally, as the saying goes, a change is as good as a holiday.

Have a calendar with every event on it, both school, family and social occasions.

Keep everything in its place and label them so the kids know where everything goes and how to spell it. This helps schoolroom to stay tidy and less work for you at the end of the day.

Have a certificate and photo board so your child can see what he has done and it also encourages him to see what he can do.

I work my schoolroom with a responsibilities chart not Classroom Rules. I make one for everyone in the classroom including myself. That way the children can clearly read what we all have to do and it doesn't just seem like they do everything. By Lee-Anne

This is an area where experimenting is the key. Some children you can use the same strategy continuously others need to have change. Have a look at some of the ideas.

When the child gets frustrated or are not listening lately I have been making them stand with their nose against the wall. It must be quiet, still and every time he moves it is another minute. I also go and do something else to breathe again. I sometimes give a very down to each I am so disappointed lecture.

For good behavior the rewards are

If your behaviour standard drops then you will not be able to make some of these choices.

To give the kids a break from working, read a chapter a book with them. They can chill out and rest their brain and it gives you something you can all enjoy together.

Make some word charts to put around the room that display word families. E.g. a light bulb with 'igh' words, a sheep with 'ee' words etc. Makes for more interesting walls.

If you have more than one student, wherever possible, get them to work together. Or, ask the older student to explain a concept to the younger one. It is a change from your own voice droning on, and both children benefit with communication skills being enhanced. Gives the older student a feeling of pride in a particular.

Let children choose where to place their work on the walls or around the room. Gives them a sense of 'ownership' of their workspace.

Play some music that the kids like when doing activities like art or those that don't involve too much concentration. Puts you all in a good mood!

Get your student (s) to write up the day and the date on the whiteboard or blackboard if you have one. It gives them practice at spelling the days of the week, as well as a point of reference throughout the day when they need to write the date on their work.

Move the schoolroom furniture and wall posters around occasionally, as the saying goes, a change is as good as a holiday.

Have a calendar with every event on it, both school, family and social occasions.

To help younger ones learn to read calendars get them to make on the computer and put in the events that are on, a small note on what they did that day and/ or record the weather.

Write air lesson dates on the corresponding work pages as this helps to remember what work is being done when.

Keep everything in its place and label them so the kids know where everything goes and how to spell it. This helps schoolroom to stay tidy and less work for you at the end of the day.

Have a certificate and photo board so your child can see what he has done and it also encourages him to see what he can do.

Talk to your teacher. Keep them informed of the good and the bad. If your unsure about anything, even if it seems silly, it’s their job to help you and they need to know what’s happening with the child. If you set consequences for bad behavior, follow through with them.

By Bec Reys

I have a few tips on classroom management.......
*Try to establish a routine and set goals.

*Students work best in a happy learning environment, try to make your classroom as colourful as possible- display work, Praise your child/ren, give rewards stickers, lucky dips etc.

*Invite the parents to come and watch any role plays etc

(students love other people watching)

*Set up your students work area

*Prepare for each unit

*Prepare for each day

*Plan your time- establish a routine

*Organise a daily Timetable

***If you are working with more than one student, make sure the others have something to do while waiting for you. For example Flashbacks, read a book, make up a crossword puzzle, do some spelling activities etc.

****ALWAYS TALK TO THE CHILDS TEACHER IF YOU NEED ANY HELP!!

I'm new to this site so I thought I might put some of my experience forward, though you have probably already heard it before. The best thing to do when teaching a large class (the most I've had is 4) is to be well organised. Colouring in and art is a great reward, so are educational games either on the computer or things like memory/guess who. I'm very musical and the kids love to be able to use my guitar and piano so this is another reward I use if they are being good. Always use positive reinforcement even if the child isn't doing his/her best because it will be worthh it in the end.

Hope this helps,
Regards Katrina

I thought of something that the girls and I do when they are looking bored or are having a hard time concentrating. It's also used as a reward. They love playing Simon says and Doing any dances like the Macarena, the 3y.o. loves the Hokey Pokey and the 7 y.o. loves the bird dance this also helps with their coordination amongst other things.

Everybody has probably got a pile of old resources stacked in a box, not being used but to good to throw out. Mine come in the form of worksheets. I use them as time fillers. If any of my students are stuck on a topic and need some help but I’m busy with one of the others, instead of them sitting around waiting and not doing a lot, they choose from the 'While I’m Waiting Folder' (which is in their desk for easy access).

In the folder are basic activities that only take a couple of minutes to complete. Making sure that they know to choose an activity that matches the lesson at hand makes it more relevant.

It may only be a couple of sums or answering questions that cover a recently learned Maths concept, punctuation practice, explanations of science/technology terms introduced lately. Old work sheets can be cut into sections if the sheet allows. Ideas are endless.

Adding activities that are specifically designed to cover a problem area for a certain child is also good. I hope you get my drift.

It takes an hour or so to set up but as long as you add to it regularly it’s OK. The concepts in the majority of subjects change often or are extended in some way so there are no worries about kids becoming bored because they are covering the same stuff over and over. (as long as it’s kept up to date.) Work completed is then filed and scored on the incentive chart that I use.

Don’t overload the folder thinking you wont have to update as often, kids can be daunted by the size and then wont go near it.

LearningPage.com - Supervisor site with downloadable worksheets, cliparts and lesson plans

Discovery School - A great site to make puzzles. It includes 'Word Search,' 'Hidden Message,' 'Mazes,' 'Math Square' just to name a few. They also have a section for science and 'Brain Boosters' to enhance yours and your children's vocabulary!

Teacherfiles - his site has clipart, lesson activities and links to other educational sites.

R.I.C. Publications - It has lots of different books great for the kids to do extra work from.

The Teachers Guide - This site has so much useful stuff in I can't tell you about it all. It has tips on classroom management and the thing I like best is the virtual tours. You can go anywhere and learn.

Preschool Activities - This site has a lot of theme activities, printable sheets and some great ideas for the very young.

Lee-Anne's Blog http://governessworld.blogspot.com/

Setup of Classroom ... Things to look to buy or make to improve you classroom., general setup tips

Classroom Setup and Needs: Ideas to make & buy for your schoolroom

Behavior Management ... including rules & praise ideas

50 Opportunities to say you're terrific

More useful areas ...

Running of the classroom tips

Email : govaust@governessaustralia.com

For good behavior the rewards are

Email : govaust@governessaustralia.com