How to Use Text Messaging for Classroom Management and Discipline in the Middle School Classroom

A repertoire of classroom management techniques is vital when teaching in a tough environment. Classroom management and classroom discipline can be a daily challenge. I am always looking for tools, techniques and tips to incorporate into my classroom management system. This year I began using text messaging as a classroom management technique. My students hated it. My parents loved it. I teach middle school, but I am certain that text messaging for classroom management would be beneficial on the elementary and high school levels as well. It is easy, quick, and convenient. Here are five ways that I have used text messaging in classroom management this year.

Text Messaging and Classroom Management: Classroom Reminders
I have used text messaging to send out various reminders. Parents are appreciative of the communication. I have sent text messages to parents to remind them about projects. One of my parents had no idea about one project until I sent her a text message to remind her son to turn it in. She was so thankful to get the message, because the project counted a large percentage of his quarter grade. This has happened more than once this year and has saved students from getting failing grades.

We are coming to the end of this school year. I will be sending a message shortly to parents to remind their student to return all textbooks. I have sent reminders about signing and returning progress reports. If students never took it home, classroom families were alerted through the text message reminder.

Text Messaging and Classroom Management: Positive Reports Home
This one is fun. My particularly challenging students have their challenging days and occasionally their good days. When they have a good day, I do my best to text home with that information. After hearing bad news so often, that positive message is such a breath of fresh air for parents. The student feels pretty good about it too. It gives classroom families an opportunity to build upon this accomplishment. I try to send a positive text message about all my students at some point in the year. These little text messages help tremendously long term. When I have to communicate bad news, the past positive communication helps the classroom families to receive the negative report a little easier.

Text Messaging and Classroom Management: Classroom Discipline Tool
Text messaging is such a part of my classroom culture. My students know that when the phone comes out their parents will be made aware of their misbehavior via a text message. One parent told me that when her son got home, she asked him about the text message, but did not tell him which teacher sent it. He started revealing his misbehavior in other classes too. Sometimes I am purposely vague when sending a message home about out of control classroom behavior because I want to talk to the parent later. So I text message something like, "Please call me later to discuss 'Johnny's' classroom behavior. Sometimes they call and sometimes they do not. That is alright, because 'Johnny' always comes back the next day acting better.

I only stop instruction to text on the spot when the behavior is completely out of line, but not serious enough for a referral to the assistant principal. Usually, I let the student know that I will be sending a text message. I keep teaching and when the students are working independently, I send the text message. The student usually straightens up, but it's too late. If I say that I am going to do it, I have to follow through. Otherwise, the student will not take me seriously in the future if I say that I am going to send a text or carry out any other classroom discipline option.

Text Messaging and Classroom Management: School-Wide Reminders
I have sent text message reminders to classroom families about open house, PTA meetings, Parent University and other school meetings throughout the year. Students don't always take home the notices sent from the office.

Text Messaging and Classroom Management: After School Tutoring
I tutored students after school. Occasionally, a student did not come. I always sent a text message to the parent to let them know. Usually, there is a legitimate excuse and the parent simply forgot to tell me. There have been times that the student told the parent there was no tutoring and this was not the case. One parent was always in a hurry when picking his son up from tutoring. Text messaging was very helpful in this case. He always sent me a text message when he was almost at the school. He son was ready and his father never had to wait.

Text Messaging and Classroom Management: Additional Tips
Before using text messaging, always make the initial parent contact with a personal phone call. Always ask for a cell number first before any other phone number. I ask every parent if they received text messages. Some do not because of different reasons. It may not be economically feasible for them. They may not know how to use the technology. If you text outside of business hours, be sure to text at a reasonable hour.

For classroom discipline problems, it is a good idea to follow up the text message with a phone call to the parent. Or a line can be included in the text message that leaves it open to for the parent to call back later.

One last tip is to check with your cell phone carrier to be sure you have the best plan for text messages. I pay an additional few dollars a month for unlimited messages. I don't have to worry about exceeding a certain limit which can be expensive.

Text Messaging and Classroom Management: Advantages to the Teacher
Text messaging has been a great addition to my classroom management toolkit. I can communicate with parents regularly without getting caught up in long, sometimes unnecessary, conversations. Another advantage is that it is an instant record of parent communication in my phone. If your phone does not store text messages for very long, you can periodically record on paper the time, date and a brief description of the text message. I plan to use text messaging as a classroom management and classroom discipline tool next year too. I am sure that it will yield the same positive results.