PRINCIPLES OF CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

A Problem Solving Approach

 

Jill Kerper Mora, Ed.D.

San Diego State University

 

 

All classroom management is based on the teacher’s “ideal” classroom. Teachers must clearly articulate this ideal in order to identify aspects of the classroom environment, student behaviors, and his/her own instruction that are incongruent with the ideal.

 

The ideal classroom is one where all teacher’s and students’ actions and behaviors promote optimum levels of learning and personal and interpersonal development. A classroom management problem is anything that deviates or is inconsistent with the ideal, or that detracts from learning and development.

 

COMPONENTS OF CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

A Problem-Solving Approach

 

 

INSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT

 

“Down to Business” Approach

Appropriate Level of Task Difficulty

Momentum & Smoothness

Instructional Variety & Student Engagement

Alerting & Accountability

Clear Directions & Framing of Tasks

Questioning (Distribution, Clarity, Purpose)

The “Steering Group”

Cooperative Grouping

Task Completion Procedures

Useful Work & Curricular Continuity

 

BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT

 

Routines and Procedures

Classroom Code of Conduct

Discipline Hierarchy

“Withitness”

Knowing Causes of Misbehavior

Positive Alternative Behaviors & Motivational Strategies

Preferred Activity Time

Group vs. Individual Problems & Consequences

Group Cohesiveness & Community Building

Resolving Interpersonal Conflicts

Responsibility vs. Obedience

 

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

 

Physical Organization of Classroom

Use of Space & Traffic Patterns

Accessibility and Storage of Instructional Materials

Distribution & Collection of Materials

Students’ Personal Space & Supplies

Assignment of “Helpers” and Leaders

Orderliness & Clean-up Rules & Procedures

 

 

 

TIME MANAGEMENT

 

Time On Task & Academic-Engaged Time (AET)

Administrivia & “Sponge” Activities

Distribution of Direct Instruction, Group & Independent Work

Transitions Between Subjects, Tasks, Activities

Attention Span, Satiation & Challenge Arousal

Handling Interruptions & Schedule Changes

Gauging Intensity & Focus

 


 

 

PERSONAL SYSTEM OF DISCIPLINE

Planning Classroom Management Strategies 

 

 

Preventive

Supportive

Corrective

Instruction

Management

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Behavior

Management

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Time
Management

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resource

Management

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference: Charles, C.M. (1999). Building Classroom Discipline (6th Edition). New York: Longman.