Classroom Design

• The first assignment for any teacher before the beginning of the school year is to set up the classroom. Classroom setup is key to classroom management because it organizes the environment and sets the tone for interactions between students and the teacher for the upcoming school year. Teachers must carefully prepare and plan the layout of their classroom to maximize the opportunity for instructional success. Consider student traffic patterns and classroom activities when deciding how to arrange desks and chairs. Configure desks in such a way that will be accommodating to frequently implemented classroom activities and flexible enough to be rearranged for special assignments or group activities. Allow enough space for students to move about the classroom and provide storage areas for equipment and other instructional materials.
  
  Consider arranging desks in groups to allow pathways for teachers to walk and monitor student activity. Place the teacher's desk in the back of the classroom to promote a student-centered classroom environment. This provides adequate workspace while allowing the teacher to keep a watchful eye on the students. Place learning centers in the corners and around the perimeter of the room to encourage independent, student-facilitated learning activities.
  
  

Time Management

• Effective time management on the part of the teacher is crucial to classroom management and student achievement. Teachers must not only work within the confines of schedules set forth by their school and district, but they must also be able to maximize that time so that students will get the most out of instruction. In order to do this, teachers must plan ahead. Prepare instructional materials before class, making sure there are enough for each student and that the materials are readily accessible. This will eliminate the need for the teacher to use class time for photocopying, stapling or other organizational tasks.
  
  Plan the lesson, taking into careful consideration the amount of time needed for lesson introduction, teacher modeling, student practice, review and closing the lesson. Once you have determined the amount of time required for each lesson component, stick to the allotted time. Inform students of how much time they will have to complete classroom assignments.
  
  

Instructional Strategies

• Choose instructional strategies that make the most of class time and keep students engaged. Take into consideration student attention span when planning instructional activities. Alternate between teacher-centered activities, such as lecturing and teacher modeling, and student-centered activities, such as practice sheets and independent reading. When planning lessons, factor in time to transition between activities and make sure students are familiar with transitional procedures. For example, teach students how to transition from small group reading activity on the rug back to their desks for whole group instruction.
  
  Allot appropriate time increments for all activities. Lectures and independent activities that are excessively long or too short will negatively impact the overall effectiveness of the lesson. Likewise, group assignments or hands-on activities that provide students with too much or too little time to finish hinder student learning as well. If the teacher is long-winded or the assignment takes too long to complete, students may become bored and tune out. If the lecture or activity is too short, students may not gain a full understanding of the concept being taught. In the same manner, if the task is too easy, students will finish before the allotted time, giving an opportunity for mischief. Prepare extra activities for students who finish tasks early to keep them actively engaged while the other students complete the task.
  
  

Managing Student Behavior

• Managing and controlling student behavior is the cornerstone of effective classroom management. Lessons that are constantly disrupted by poor student behavior are less likely to be effective. Teachers and students become frustrated and if the behavior persists the environment becomes chaotic and the teacher is likely to lose control of the classroom. Behavior management should focus on proactive strategies that prevent conflict and disruption. With this goal in mind, establish a positive classroom environment with an emphasis on mutual respect, caring and trust.
  
  Develop positive relationships with students and conduct activities that foster friendship and cooperation between students. Model positive behavior for students to imitate. Establish firm rules with a set of consequences for students who do not adhere to the rules. Students should take responsibility for their own discipline by participating in making the class rules and deciding on the consequences for breaking those rules. Once these rules and consequences are in place, adhere to them. Be firm and do not bend the rules under any circumstances. Students appreciate teachers who are firm on discipline. When problems arise, address them quickly so as to not take away from valuable class time. Keep in contact with parents frequently to update them on student behavior. Reward positive behavior and make a positive example of students who are adhering to the class rules. Positive reinforcement will cause poorly behaved students to want to follow suit.