| Classroom discipline and class management | | | | topic is thought of as boring for the students, |
| generally causes the most fear and consternation | | | | there is more likely to be a discipline problem |
| in new teachers, and with good reason. I think we | | | | Bored students look for something to occupy |
| all remember those days when our classes had a | | | | their time, and remember that nowadays, |
| student teacher, or a substitute for the day, or if | | | | students are often seen to be multi-tasking, |
| we were lucky even longer! We knew that we | | | | testing on their cell phone while holding a |
| could rely on certain members of our class to | | | | conversation with someone else, while eating a |
| disrupt the studies somehow, either by continually | | | | snack. You know the scene. |
| talking, or asking questions one after another | | | | So this makes it doubly challenging to the new |
| after another. Or paper airplanes would whip back | | | | teacher. Not only do they have to make the |
| and forth whenever the teacher faced the | | | | information interesting to all their students, and to |
| blackboard. We knew that this new teacher | | | | teach it in a way that grabs the students interest, |
| wasn't in the school for long enough to know the | | | | but they also have to make sure that their |
| forms of discipline available, so we'd be able to | | | | students are occupied with the topic being taught. |
| get away with a lot, and we certainly did! | | | | What is the best way to let the students know |
| However, classroom discipline and class | | | | you mean business? Let them know who is the |
| management is a skill that is not only learned but | | | | boss from day one. Make sure they know what |
| is practiced daily, continually It is one of the most | | | | is expected of them in several situations. For |
| daunting challenges for any teacher, no matter | | | | example, if the class has to wait outside the |
| their age, and it is something that no teacher | | | | classroom, make sure they know that they have |
| ever really masters. Why can I say this? | | | | to wait in an orderly manner, that pushing and |
| Because children and education methods as well | | | | shoving will not be tolerated. Children like to know |
| as disciplining methods are constantly changing and | | | | what the boundaries are, and yes, many do like |
| with each new class comes new challenges and | | | | to push really hard on them! But for the most |
| possibilities. | | | | part, setting the standards you expect at the |
| Classroom control and management has to be | | | | beginning of the year will pay dividends, provided |
| handled in a way that is conducive to learning, and | | | | you keep to those standards. Your class will |
| it is part of the teacher's job to maintain | | | | respect you, and be prepared to help you more, |
| classroom control so that learning can occur for | | | | should you request their help. |
| everyone in that class. Now it is true that if a | | | | |