Classroom Management Key Components

Area #1: Procedures/Structures/Routines

● Beginning Routine/Start of Class
Philosophy- It is important to start the day off right! Having a morning routine helps
students stay focused and on track for the rest of the day.
Example- First, walk into the classroom. Next, put backpack away and take out
folder to put in desk. Finally, grab bellwork and work quietly.
● Quiet/Attention Signals
Philosophy- Using signals is a great way to quiet the class down. Signals will help
the class realize they need to change their actions or noise level and they will get
back on track.
Example- Clap pattern, class class- yes yes, one two- eyes on you, finger up until
the students quiet down
● Physical Transitions (groups, pairs, labs, activities, carpet)
Philosophy- Transitions should be smooth and quick so students can move on to
the next task.
Example- play a song, call students by pods, put a countdown on the board
● Dismissal or Lining Up
Philosophy- Students will practice lining up at the beginning of the year. I believe
that lining up should be quick and quiet. The students must know that not following
directions and not being silent in line will result in consequences.
Example- Call on quiet individuals or the quietest group to line up
● Non-Verbal Cues (visuals, hand gestures, music)
Philosophy- I believe that nonverbal cues are the best way to control the class. If
done right, they can be the least time consuming/ energy wasting ways to get the
students to quiet down.
Example- Play music, make eye contact with student, stand and wait silently until
students get the hint
● Giving Directions
Philosophy- Students must know that when the teacher is giving directions, there
should be absolutely no talking. The teacher should never have to repeat directions
if the students are listening and being respectful.
Example- Write directions on board or give them verbally. Ask students to repeat
directions one stated.
● Checking for Understanding
Philosophy- Teachers must check for understanding so they know whether or not
 the students grasp the content. If the students do, then the teacher can keep
moving forward. If they don’t, then the teacher should reteach or alter the content.
Example- exit tickets, short reflections, walk around and observe students
● Holding Ground/No Arguing
Philosophy- If you don’t hold your ground as a teacher then the students will feel as
if they can walk all over you. Remember that you are the teacher and you are in
control.. Not the students.
Example- Say no with confidence and follow through with words and actions.
● Raising Hands to Speak
Philosophy- Teaching students to raise their hand when they want to speak helps
them build patience and listening skills.
Example- Students that have a question or want to answer a question must raise
their hand to answer. They must not blurt out or talk to one another while they are
waiting to be called on. If there are a bunch of hands in the air, then drawing name
sticks would be a good way to make sure you get to all students.

Area #2: Engagement & Participation

● Variety (three or more activities per hour)
Philosophy- It’s important to make sure the students are getting a variety of
activities throughout the day. Having multiple activities and options will help
students stay busy, motivated, and on task.
Example- Hands on activities, small group activities, large group instruction,
games, manipulatives etc.
● Collaboration (Students Talking/Peer Discussions)
Philosophy- Collaborating and working in groups is a very important life skill.
Students need to learn how to communicate and get along with one another at a
young age.
Example- Class discussion, think-pair-share, individual meetings/check in’s with
students
● Movement (two or more times per hour)
Philosophy- Students need to get up and move multiple times a day. Just recess
and PE alone are not enough. Movement is so important because it stimulates brain
cells which helps students refocus and reenergize so they can do their best in the
classroom.
Example- Play dance/movement videos for students to imitate(GoNoodle), yoga
stretches, take a walk around the school, bathroom break, etc.
● Total Participation (all students think, write, share, or answer simultaneously)
Philosophy- Having all students participate or answer a question at the same time
makes everyone participate. Also, no student will be singled out or feel
 embarrassed if they don’t get the answer correct.
Example- Count to 3 and have students answer questions/ fill in blank/ read
sentences in unison.
● Rigor (higher order thinking and tasks required)
Philosophy-Having rigor within teaching is so important. Students won’t get to their
highest potential unless they are challenged with harder concepts. Teachers should
also differentiate instruction as well as encourage critical thinking in the classroom.
Example- Instruction/assessments shouldn’t be too easy or too hard for the
students. Each student should learn at the level they are academically at. The
teacher should be there to guide the student, but not there to give them all the
answers.
● Instruction (explain, model, guided practice, independent practice)
Philosophy- The method of “I do, We do, You do” is a simple yet effective way of
teaching content to a class.
Example- First, the teacher teaches the content to a whole group or small group.
Next, the teacher works through the content with the students to practice. Lastly, the
students try on their own after learning the content and practicing.
● Questioning/Probing
Philosophy- Asking questions to students helps them think on a higher level and it
allows them to dive deeper into the content.
Example- “Can you tell me more about it?” “Can you show me another way?” “What
strategy did you use?” “Do you agree or disagree?” “Can you prove your answer is
correct?”
● Group Work (roles and productivity)
Philosophy- Working in groups helps students grow socially because it builds their
communication and relationship skills. Groups also help students work on their
responsibility being each student in the group should have an equal role.
Example- First, the teacher should assign groups based on ability level. Then, the
students need to assign jobs within their group. Each role should be as equal as
possible, creating responsibility and good work ethic within each student.

Area #3: Rapport/Connection

● Teacher Warmth/Friendliness/Approachability
Philosophy- Teachers should create positive and caring relationships with their
students and their co workers.
Example- Getting to know each student on a personal level, treating co-workers
and students like family, being positive and outgoing to everyone in the school.
● Teacher Enthusiasm/Energy/Excitement/Joy
Philosophy- If the teacher is happy, energized, and excited to be at school then the
 students will feed off that and be more apt to act the same way.
Example- Smile, laugh, be excited to teach, get to know students personally.
● Teacher Humor/Laughter
Philosophy- You will love your job and enjoy going everyday if you have fun with
your students everyday.
Example- Be silly, be weird, laugh, joke around with students.
● Teacher Knowledge of individual students’ interests
Philosophy- Get to know each and every student on a personal level. Many students
don’t have a great home life so it is important that they at least have one person in
their life that genuinely cares about them.
Example- Ask students about their night or weekend, go to their activities, listen to
their interests and incorporate those into the classroom and content.
● Teacher Respect and Appreciation for students
Philosophy- The golden rule! Treat others how you would want to be treated. If I
treat my students with kindness and respect, then they are much more likely to do
the same.
Example- Have a quote of the day up on the board, have quality traits of the month,
always give positive feedback to students if they are showing respect as well as
other good qualities.
● Teacher Encouragement of students
Philosophy- Encouraging students will help them stay motivated and have a positive
attitude.
Example- Have individual check-ins with students to see how they are doing,
always give positive feedback, say encouraging words, give high fives ect.
● Teacher sensitivity to student cultures and backgrounds
Philosophy- If we understand students' cultures and where they came from then
they will feel seen and respected by you as the teacher. Understand that each
student is unique and never judge or make assumptions about anyone.
Example- Talk about all different types of cultures within instruction. It’s important
for students to know that they are all unique and special.

Area #4: Behavior Intervention/Consequences

● Regular use of gentle redirects (proximity, warnings, the look)
Philosophy- If a student is misbehaving first try a gentle redirect. These types of
redirects are super helpful because they aren’t distracting to the students and they
don’t take away from instructional time.
Example- Give student a look, shake your head, stand near them, tap their desk

● Consequences are reasonable and equitable

 Philosophy- The teacher should treat each student fairly when it comes to
consequences. The students must know that there are consequences for their
actions if they aren’t behaving the way they are supposed to. Along with that, the
teacher must enforce and stay consistent with their consequences.
Example- Small consequence for small misbehavior and big consequence for big
misbehavior. If the misbehavior is constantly happening then the consequence will
be worse than if it just happens one time.

● Consequences are given as choices (you have a choice right now...)

Philosophy- Giving students choices makes them realize that they have one chance
to fix their misbehavior. They either try again and fix it or they get the consequence,
simple as that.
Example- “You can either get your work done now or stay in for recess.” “You have
a choice… you can either stop talking and respect me or you can go to the office.”

● Teacher uses soft eyes, soft voice during conflicts

Philosophy- Even though you are mad and frustrated, the student is likely feeling
the same way. It is important to stay calm during conflicts so you don’t make the
students' behavior worse.
Example- Keep your voice calm and quiet instead of yelling. Don’t grimace or roll
your eyes… instead, show them a caring look.

● Teacher is firm, but also calm and compassionate (doesn’t yell or intimidate)

Philosophy- Yelling and becoming angry at a misbehaving student will likely make
the situation worse. You must stay calm and show the student that you care about
them and that you are trying to help them.
Example- Talk one on one with the student, show the student that you genuinely
care about them, treat the student how you would want to be treated.

● Consistent follow through with consequences once they are earned (doesn’t make
the same request over and over)

Philosophy- You must be firm in your rules and consequences so the students know
not to cross the lines and test your limits. The students will try to break the rules
again and again if you aren't consistent with the consequences.
Example- No means no; students aren’t allowed to beg or ask for the same thing
multiple times. Or, if a student is misbehaving they will only get one reminder to
stop. If they don’t stop there will be a consequence no matter what.
 ● Arguments/debates are delayed, done in private

Philosophy- Talking with misbehaving students must be done in private. This is

because you don’t want to embarrass the child in front of everyone. You also don’t
want to take away from instructional time or distract other students.
Example- Meet with the student one on one in the hallway before or after class to
discuss behavior.

● Progression up hierarchy is swift but fair

Philosophy- Your goal as a teacher should be to help all students succeed to their
highest potential, but to be fair to each and every student while doing so.
Example- Every student should be treated fairly, meaning they all should get the
same attention and respect from the teacher.

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