Effective Classroom Management for Elementary Students: Styles and Techniques Effective Elementary Classroom Management

One can only tell that classroom management styles and techniques are effective if he applied it in the classroom and were proven to be effective. Application of the theory in a real life situation is the best reference to determine whether the styles and techniques used were truly effective. I have been in the elementary classroom for quite a time and I've tried different styles and techniques to manage my class. I can tell that teaching is a very stressful job but so rewarding when you see the result of your efforts. I've tried so many experiments on classroom management styles and techniques and I find these to be effective.

Classroom Rules

The basic tool used to manage the class are the classroom rules. The rules will be made on the first day of class. Some teachers set their own rules for the kids to follow but it is good if the children are involved in making the rules. If the rules were agreed upon by everybody in the class, each of them will feel the responsibility of his own action. There must be consequences for breaking the rules which should also be agreed upon by the class. Daily implementation of the rules is necessary for them to be reminded and their obedience to the rules would be established. It is important that the rules would be implanted in their hearts and minds and this will be achieved by applying it daily until it would become a part of their daily routine in the classroom. Hanging the printed rules on the walls is not enough reminder, it should be applied. What rules should you make? well, the teacher should share his ideas and goals of what he wants his students to become and likewise the students also should be given opportunity to share what they want to happen in the classroom. From this point of view, rules be made by the children with the teacher's guidance.

In making rules, never use the negative word, DON'T. This word is not encouraging, it is an irritant. Use positive words that denote action.
suggested samples: Listen when somebody is talking, Respect the property of others, Roaming around or standing is allowed only when permission is granted, Talking or making unnecessary noise when the class is going on is strictly prohibited, (unless it is activity time), Raise hand when you need something or want to ease yourself, Treat others with respect, etc.

3 counts rule

In this 3 counts rule, students should know what to expect every count the teacher made. Make it a point that every number has its significant thing for them to do. My 3 counts rule is this. ONE- preparation.. this means, wherever they maybe, whether outside or inside the classroom when they hear me say the word..ONE they would move as fast as they could to their seat. TWO- is the extension for those who are not yet settled on their seat, this means they must haste their movements before they will hear the last count. THREE- means attention. At the count of three, all of them must be on their seat, ready to hear the instruction. This seems like a military rule but this is interesting to the kids. My kids in class are enjoying this rule and they are excited to cooperate. Seems like fun to run to their seat when they hear the count. We use to have agreement of what consequence will be given to those who will not obey. The 3 counts rule is very effective to the elementary kids based on experience.

Eye Contact

Eye contact is a silent treatment to those who are not paying attention or not behaved in class . I find this very effective to bring the class into silence than yelling to the top of your voice saying 'keep quiet'. When I am talking or giving instructions then some are not paying attention, I will stop and look at those who are talking. Since I'm already quiet, all of them will be wondering why and they will be quiet too. The talkative will realize what he did and is embarrass to do it again. This is also a good time to remind them of the rule.. LISTEN WHEN SOMEBODY IS TALKING. Eye contact is effective than yelling and threatening to keep them quiet.

Whistle rule

The whistle rule is good for a big class. I never had experience having class below 40. I always have 42-50 and above which means very hard to get their attention. Really hard to control when there's no technique on how to deal with them. I used whistle in an appropriate time. The instruction for the whistle rule is this.... One blow means, attention or keep quiet. Two blows means, go back to your seat. Three blows means, somebody is not cooperating and he needs to do the consequence.

Positive Reinforcement technique

This is helpful for students who have behavior problems in class. What I did is to give responsibility to the one who is a trouble maker. I assigned him to be the peacemaker. Which means he will be the in-charge of the peace and harmony in the class. It works because he never had trouble with others. He feels his responsibility and he was praised by his classmates which had encouraged him to be good and made him changed his attitude.

Since not all kids are responsible of their own actions, there are times that other tend to forget the agreements we made in class. Instead of using the word punishment, for breaking the agreement or rule, I just use the word "service' . When somebody breaks the rule, he will be given work to do, like cleaning the office, arranging the books in the library, etc, which involves serving others. This would help them feel the joy of helping others specially if they are recognized by the people they had helped. Though it is a sort of punishment in a real sense but they don't feel it that way. We know that kids don't want to do community service everyday, so, this would help them to be careful not to break rules.

Thumbs Up rule

Well, thumbs is good for lower grades. Giving them thumbs up for the good things they have done is an encouragement for them to maintain the good work.
It would be good if there is incentive for every thumbs up they would receive. Teacher should be smart enough to make the kids cooperate by giving educational incentives that children really like.

These classroom management styles and techniques are effective than scolding, yelling, tapping the table or chalk board to let them keep quiet. Threat them to be sent to the Principal's office or punish them for misbehaving would just make the things worst. It would make them stubborn and uncooperative.
If you will apply one or two of these techniques, you will see the difference.